The British Rule in India

World Cultures

South Asia

British Empire in India

Britain represented by the woman and the power of the British Empire by the lion.

East India Company ship – bears flag of the company.

East India Company

1760s - East India Company (British Trading Company) was given the power by British government to regulate and become involved in India’s political and military affairs.

• English trade gold and silver for Indian cotton, silks, spices, and tea

Figure represents India offering her riches to Britain.

Figure with vase represents China. She has a box of tea at her knees. Figure behind her

bears a bundle of cotton.

Roman god Mercury supervising scene, suggests a connection between the Roman Empire and British Empire.

Figure is Old Father Thames, representing London and the city's power.

East India Company Exploits weak Indian government

Discourages development of local industry Ex: spinning cotton cloth

Collect taxes from people

1719 coin 1804 1719 coin 1804 coincoin1719 coin 1804 1719 coin 1804 coincoin

Sir Robert CliveSir Robert Clive

Director of the East India Company

• Collected taxes

• Set laws and created a court system

Sepoy Rebellion (Mutiny) To help Clive, British hired Indian soldiers, known as

Sepoy’s, to protect the company’s interests in the regions from other nations

1857-58 – Rumor started that British were issuing Sepoy’s bullets greased with cow/pig fat. Why is this a problem?

Sepoy’s refused to load bullets into their rifles and a rampage ensued 50 British men women, children killed Sepoy’s end up losing and British Parliament transferred powers of

East India Company directly to British government (Queen Victoria) “Jewel in the Crown” – Official colony in 1858

Sepoys, 1850sMangal Pandey

Official Colony of England under Queen Victoria in 1858

British Raj - the British Indian Empire

British Influence over Indian Society

Viceroy – a governor who acts in the name of the British crown Enforcing London’s policies from Calcutta

Result: The Sepoy Rebellion and its aftermath increased political awareness among the Indian people of the abuses of British rule.

Read Benefits/Costs of British Rule in India Complete the chart