British Imperialism in India

British Imperialism in India

India's Valuable to Britain

At first Britain wanted India for its potential rather than its actual profit. Due to the Industrial Revolution, Britain had become the world’s workshop and India was its major raw material supplier. The British considered India the brightest “jewel in the crown”, most valuable of all the British colonies.

British Colonialism Positive Impacts on India

Britain's railroad network became the world's third largest railroad. India was able to start modernizing when the following was developed; railroads, modern road network, telephone, and telegraph lines. Sanitation/public health improved. Literacy increased; schools and colleges were founded.

Result of The Sepoy Mutiny

By 1850 the British had taken over most of the Indian subcontinent. The Indians believed that not only was the British trying to control their land but convert them to Christianity. As time went on the Indians economic problems increased and so did their feeling of resentment and nationalism. During the time Indian soldiers had to bite the ends off their rifles but were outraged to hear that the rifles were greased with beef and pork fat. The cow is scared in their religion. This caused a crisis for the British, 85 to 90 percent Sepoys refused to do it and were jailed. The next day the Sepoys rebelled and marched to Delhi, where the joined the Indian soldiers stationed there. After the captured Delhi, they went on to spread to northern and central India.

Restrictions Britain Placed on Indian

Britain prevented India from operating on their own by many things. They prohibited India from competing with their goods. After India established a railroad network they were able transport tea, indigo, coffee, cotton and jute. The British traded opium (medicine-analgesic) for tea with India.

This was known as The Sepoy Mutiny. Soon the starting going at war with the British army. The Indians had a weak leadership and splits between Hindus and Muslims. Hindus preferred British rule rather than Muslim rule, they did not want Muslim Mughal restored. Mutiny marked a turning point in the Indian history. In 1858, the British took direct command of India. Raj was a term used to refer to the British rule after India came under the British crown during the reign of Queen Victoria. After 1877, a minister in London directed policy and the British govern-general in India to carry out government orders, this official held the title of viceroy. The British promised to respect all treaties the East India Company had made. Also that the Indian states were still free and would remain independent. However, Britain won greater control of these states. This only fueled the racist attitudes of the Sepoy Mutiny towards the British.

British Colonialism Negative Impacts on India

The British held most of the economic and political power. They had restrictions on Indian-owned industries. Self-sufficiency and reduced food production were a result of cash crops. A hands-off policy regarding Indian religion and social customs was adopted by the British. Even though most British officials still threatened traditional Indian life.

Factors that led to Early Nationalism in India

• better governing
• Ram Mohun Roy- arranged child marriages & changed caste system
• more modern-thinking

Clare & Chassidy