https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9wO-NoP7h4
Basic Summary of British Imperialism in India (4 min)
19th Century British Imperialism in
India Key Terms
Notebook Assignment #4
After watching video clips and listening to
explanations of slides, you will be asked to write
short definitions & explanations of significance for
main relevant vocabulary.
Europeans trade with Indian Mughal Empire
dates back to late 1500’s
British expand control over India
in 1700’s (following Industrial Revolution) by using superior
military technology and exploiting internal divisions
between religions and castes
• Privately owned East India
Company (EIC) expands power
in India with little regulation by
British government.
• EIC hires own army in India
made up mostly of Sepoys
(Indian soldiers)
• India becomes Britain’s “Jewel
in the Crown” — the most
valuable of all British colonies
for both raw materials & market
for manufactured goods
• Indian businesses were not
allowed to compete against EIC
Suez Canal completed in mid 1800’s resulting in even greater
British imperialism in Middle East and India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV0fYMIvtyU
The Sepoy Mutiny/Rebellion (1857)
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Underlying Cause of revolt: Growing discontent among Indians towards
British rule
Spark for revolt: Rumor among Sepoy soldiers that said their bullets casing
were greased in beef or pork fat and Muslim & Hindu soldiers refuse to follow
British orders.
Results of revolt: Many Sepoys jailed replaced by Sikhs & more British
soldiers. Leads to a lack of unity between Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.
British “Raj” Expands
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After “mutiny”, British took more direct control of India that was called the Raj
(into mid 1900’s)
EIC replaced by British government officials sent to “run” India by dividing it
into over 200 districts under control of British “Viceroy”
Many middle class British motivated to go to India because perceived
adventure and opportunity to live higher class life than in England
More English come for longer periods to India leading to increased distrust
with Indians due to British racism/disrespect (“White Mans Burden”)
Take up the White man's burden
Send forth the best ye breed
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness
On fluttered folk and wild
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half devil and half child.
The White Man's Burden
Rudyard Kipling
Imperialism during “Raj” period has both positive and negative effects:
– Positive = Modernization of India: Transportation, communication
& public health improves, schools & colleges established & less
internal fighting among various ethnic & religious groups
– Negative = Oppression of Indians: Restricted Indians from
competing in business, reliance on cash crops sometimes caused
famine & less self sufficiency, hurts Indian culture & sense of pride
Nationalism Grows in India by
late 19th Century
• Many educated Indians like modernization
English bring but want greater equality with
English
• Many Indians were tired of being 2nd class
citizens and want more control and push to
unite their own nation (“Home Rule”)
• Ram Mohun Roy and other educated
reformers lead early efforts to work peacefully
with English to expand Indian rights
• British continue to exploit Indian religious &
class divisions into the 20th Century to
maintain control…who is next great Indian
nationalist leader??
Notebook Assignment #4
19th Century British Imperialism in India Key Terms
Consider what you have heard in explanation of slides and
see pages 357-363 in text to fill in graphic organizer with
definitions & explanations of the historical significance of:
1) British East India Company
2) “Jewel in the Crown”
3) Suez Canal
4) Sepoy Rebellion/Mutiny
5) Raj
6) Ram Mohun Roy