British Imperialism in British Imperialism in IndiaIndia

Imperialism in IndiaImperialism in India

BackgroundBackground

Mughal Empire was collapsing and Mughal Empire was collapsing and other countries took advantageother countries took advantage– Iranian armies: defeated Mughals Iranian armies: defeated Mughals

and gained Delhiand gained Delhi– Indian states tried to assert Indian states tried to assert

independence – Martha independence – Martha Confederation and nawabsConfederation and nawabs

– Britain, France looked for trade postsBritain, France looked for trade posts

Factors for imperialismFactors for imperialism

Major supplier of raw materialsMajor supplier of raw materials– Majority were agricultural materials Majority were agricultural materials

produced on plantations – tea, produced on plantations – tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, juteindigo, coffee, cotton, jute

India was considered the India was considered the brightest “jewel in the crown” brightest “jewel in the crown” because it was the most valuable because it was the most valuable British colonyBritish colony

Who invaded?Who invaded?

The British – British East India Company The British – British East India Company (EIC)(EIC)

EIC set up trading posts at Bombay, EIC set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras and CalcuttaMadras and Calcutta

Battle of Plassey: Robert Clive led Battle of Plassey: Robert Clive led troops to victory over Indian forces – troops to victory over Indian forces – EIC became leading power in IndiaEIC became leading power in India

At first, the EIC governed indirectly but At first, the EIC governed indirectly but eventually when the country of England eventually when the country of England took over, they governed directly.took over, they governed directly.

Effects: PositiveEffects: Positive

Railroads (3Railroads (3rdrd largest railroad network): largest railroad network): developed modern economy and unified developed modern economy and unified connected regionsconnected regions

Modern road network, telephone and Modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges and irrigation telegraph lines, dams, bridges and irrigation canals were createdcanals were created

Public health and sanitation improvedPublic health and sanitation improved Schools and colleges were founded with a Schools and colleges were founded with a

literacy increaseliteracy increase Local warfare among competing local rulers Local warfare among competing local rulers

endedended

Effects: NegativeEffects: Negative

Emphasis on cash cropsEmphasis on cash crops– Loss of self-sufficiency Loss of self-sufficiency – Reduced food production – famineReduced food production – famine

Missionaries and racist British officials Missionaries and racist British officials threatened Indian traditional life – Indians threatened Indian traditional life – Indians rebel (Sepoy Mutiny)rebel (Sepoy Mutiny)

The sepoy mutiny (rebellion) was a conflict between the sepoys of India and the British. Fierce fighting occurred and eventually the sepoys captured Delhi. This is one of the independence movements in India.

What has happened What has happened since?since?

The Republic of IndiaThe Republic of India India finally gained independence India finally gained independence

in 1947in 1947 The majority of India is Hindu The majority of India is Hindu Consists of 25 states and 7 union Consists of 25 states and 7 union

territoriesterritories Capital in New DelhiCapital in New Delhi

Present day India

Railroads in India

Overall…Overall…

The effects of British imperialism The effects of British imperialism in India are more positive then in India are more positive then they are negative. Great Britain they are negative. Great Britain provided India with modernized provided India with modernized ideas and technologies. Without ideas and technologies. Without the British influence, India would the British influence, India would not be the country it is today.not be the country it is today.