B. British in India

B. British in India1. British East India Company

a. Originally established trading rights in India in the 1600’sb. By the mid-1800’s the company controlled more than ½ of India

*Decline of the Mughals (built the Taj Mahal) and the defeat of Napoleon advance*The company employed Indian soldiers called sepoys to protect their interests in India

2. Sepoy Rebelliona. In the 1850’s tensions rose due to the sepoy’s Muslim religious beliefs

*The Sepoy Rebellion (Mutiny) called for Hindu and Muslims to unite against the East India Company

-The British crushed the revolt*Bitter feelings of resentment developed between Indians and the

British-Forced the British to change their policies toward the

Indians (harsher and more strict rule)

*Parliament ended the rule of the East India Co. in 1858 and the British gov’t took direct command of India

B. British in India (cont’d)3. The Effects of British Rule in India

a. Positives:*New roads and railroads linked regions of India*Telegraph and postal systems united people*Irrigation systems improved farming*New laws meant justice for all classes*British schooling*Customs that infringed on human rights ended

b. Negatives:*Indian resources went to Britain*British-made goods replaced local goods*Farms grew cash-crops rather than food crops

*Top jobs and positions went to British*Indians treated as inferiors*Great Britain tried to replace Indian culture with Western ways