British Imperialism in India
British Expands Control of India
British interests date back to 1600’s in India when
trading posts set up
India acts as major supplier of raw materials during
I.R. Known as “jewel in the crown” (most valuable of
all British colonies)
British East India company kept control of India
through use of “sepoys” (or Indian soldiers) led by
British officers
Restrictions
Indians produced raw materials, but had to purchase
British finished goods
Indian competition with British goods was
prohibited (cheap cloth and ready made clothing
from England dominated the market)
Raw materials including tea, indigo, coffee, cotton,
and jute were transported on rail networks
Sepoy Rebellion
As economic problems increase, so did feelings of
resentment
Rumor spread that British supplied rifles were sealed
with beef and pork (two foods that hindus and muslims
did not eat)
A majority of sepoys refused to accept the cartridges for
the rifles
British respond by jailing soldiers who disobeyed
Sepoy Rebellion (cont’d)
On May 10, 1857 sepoys rebel by marching on New
Dehli; Rebellion spreads countrywide (100,000 die)
Many slaughtered in the sepoy mutiny; British East
India Co. Takes more than a year to regain control of
the country.
In 1858, British gov’t takes direct command of India
Results from Sepoy Mutiny
Area under direct British control called the “Raj”
(1858-1947)
India divided into 11 provinces; 250 districts which
give greater control to Britain
Each district ruled by a British viceroy (governor-
general)
Indians made 2nd class citizens in their own country
Discrimination
Barred from top posts in Indian Civil Service
Paid less than Europeans in similar jobs (eg. British engineer
made 20 times more than Indian engineer)
Indian “caste system” determined Indian occupations; aspect
of Hindu religion (4 levels in caste system; plus
“untouchables”)
1st- Teaching; Scriptural
2nd-Public Service
3rd- Business/Merchant Class
4th- Unskilled Labor
(Servant Class)
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