BRITISH RAJ

INDIA IN THE COLONIAL PERIOD UNDER THE BRITISH

 WHAT DROVE THE BRITISH IN
COLONIZING INDIA?

• For centuries, the Viennese had controlled the European

branch of the Silk Road.
• At first, the European powers in Asia were solely interested in
trade, but over time they became more interested in acquiring
territory.
 THE BATTLE OF PLASSEY

• This battle pitted 3,000 soldiers of the British East India

Company against the 50,000-strong army of the young Nawab
of Bengal, Siraj ud Daulah, and his French East Indian
Company allies.
• Heavy rain spoiled the Nawab's cannon powder (the British
covered theirs), leading to his defeat.
 WHAT IS THE EAST INDIA COMPANY?

• The East India Company was primarily interested in the trade of cotton,
silk, tea, and opium, but following the Battle of Plassey, it functioned as the
military authority of India.
• By 1770, heavy Company taxation and other policies had left millions of
Bengalis impoverished. 
• Between 1770 and 1773, about 10 million people (one-third of the
population) died of famine in Bengal. At this time, Indians were also barred
from holding high office in their own land. 
 THE INDIAN 'MUTINY' OF 1857

• Many Indians were distressed by the rapid cultural changes

imposed by the British. They worried that Hindu and Muslim
India would be Christianized
• On May 10, 1857, the Indian Revolt began, with Bengali
Muslim troops marching to Delhi and pledging their support
to the Mughal emperor. After a year-long struggle, the rebels
surrendered on June 20, 1858.
 THE INDIAN 'MUTINY' OF 1857

• Following the rebellion, the British government abolished the

remaining vestiges of the Mughal Dynasty and the East India
Company.
• It should be noted that the British Raj included only about
two-thirds of modern India, with the other portions under the
control of local princes. 
 THE ‘RAJ’

• During this period a tiny number of British officials and troops (about
20,000 in all) ruled over 300 million Indians. 
• There is no doubt that Britain could not have controlled India without the
co-operation of Indian princes and local leaders, as well as huge numbers
of Indian troops, police officers, civil servants etc.
• Indian society was so divided that it could not unite against the British.
They effectively joined the British to rule their poorer fellow Indians. 
 THE ‘RAJ’

• India's huge population made it an attractive market for British industry.

•  The Indian army was probably Britain's single greatest resource. Around
40% of India's wealth was spent on the army.
• This army was used by Britain all over the world, including the wars in
South Africa in 1899-1902 and the First and Second World Wars. It was the
backbone of the power of the British empire.
INDIAN TROOPS AT PORTSMOUTH IN 1882 WAITING TO BE SHIPPED TO
EGYPT TO TACKLE A REBELLION AGAINST BRITISH RULE. THE
BRITISH RELIED HEAVILY ON INDIAN TROOPS TO ENFORCE THEIR
MILITARY POWER.
 DID INDIA GAINED OR LOSE MUCH FROM
THE BRITISH?

• Some recent research suggests that British rule did little for India in
economic terms. Britain gained hugely from ruling India
• It is extremely important not to forget the terrible famines that devastated
India. These were partly the result of weather, but partly caused by British
policies. Most of the wealth created was not invested back into the
country. 
SUMMARY
• British raj, period of direct British rule over the Indian subcontinent from
1858 until the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.
• The raj succeeded management of the subcontinent by the British 
East India Company, after general distrust and dissatisfaction with company
leadership resulted in a widespread mutiny of sepoy troops in 1857, causing
the British to reconsider the structure of governance in India.
• The British government took possession of the company’s assets and imposed
direct rule.
• The raj was intended to increase Indian participation in governance, but the
powerlessness of Indians to determine their own future without the consent
of the British led to an increasingly adamant national independence
movement.
SUMMARY

• The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857

• Aftermath of the mutiny
SUMMARY: BRITISH RULE

• Establishment of direct British governance

• Government of India Act of 1858
• Social policy
• Government organization
• Economic policy and development
• Foreign Policy
SUMMARY: BRITISH RULE

• Indian nationalism and the British response, 1885-1920

• Origins of the nationalist movement
• The early Congress movement
• The first partition of Bengal
• Nationalism in the Muslim community
• Moderate and militant nationalism
SUMMARY: BRITISH RULE

• World War I and its aftermath

• India’s contributions to the war effort
• Anti-British activity
• The postwar years
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar
• Gandhi’s philosophy and strategy
SUMMARY: BRITISH RULE

• Prelude to independence, 1920-1947

• Constitutional reforms
• The Congress’s ambivalent strategy
• Muslim separatism
• The impact of World War II
• British wartime strategy
SUMMARY: BRITISH RULE

• The transfer of power and the birth of two countries