MAKING THE BRITISH RAJ:
India in the 18th & 19th Centuries
DECLINE OF THE MUGHALS
Mughals in decline by early 18th C
o
Want independence from
European interest & power in India growing
o Competing powers –
o Why were Europeans originally interested in India before
1750 CE?
Joint-stock companies active along coast
o Ex.
RISE OF THE BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY
BEICo officials acted in self-interest
o
o
Support princes in wars against
BEICo defeated France in India during
o
As a result, BEICo’s land-holdings grew
BRITISH INTEREST IN INDIA AFTER 1750
Why would the British be interested in India AFTER 1750?
o
o
What goods did India provide for industrialized Britain?
o
o
o
o
Indians forced to produce for the BEICo
o
o
THE SEPOY MUTINY
By 1850s, British government still not directly involved in
ruling India
Sepoy Mutiny, 1857
o Rebellion against BEICo sparked by culture conflict
Bullet cartridges waxed w/
Sepoys to tear paper off with their teeth
Hindu & Muslim sepoys refuse: Why?
Sparked festering sense of rebellion
sent forces to contain trouble
o Rebellion put down w/ferocity
o
THE BRITISH RAJ: 1858-1947
British Raj (“
”) established,
o
o
Britain creates centralized colonial control
o
Civil service exams in
Indian princes kept thrones as
British control domestic & foreign policy
o
Ex.
o
Investment in infrastructure
o
Social & Political Reforms
o
o
o
Study in Britain (ex
)