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Colonization and Colonization and Control Of IndiaControl Of India

From First Contact to Total Control

“First Contact” 1498 – Portugal’s Vasco de

Gama reaches the coast of India– Portuguese build trading empire

on Asian coast– For 100 years, Portugal had a

virtual monopoly (complete control over a market) on trade with India

• Finally, in 1600’s Dutch, British and French “get in the game”

The British East India Company

In the year 1600, Britain establishes the BEIC to carry on trade with India– Builds ports at many important coastal cities– Will play a large role in the history of India

The Mughals and the Europeans At first, the Mughals did not see the

Europeans as a threat…• Europeans had few goods the Indians wanted• Europeans desired the cotton, silk and tea of India

As Mughal power declines, Indian princes again set up their own kingdoms

• They come into conflict with each other; • Euro’s encourage (“divide and conquer”)• Europeans use this power vacuum”to encroach on

the land of India

East India Company Rule 1700’s - British and French fill the vacuum

and fight for control of India– In the 1760’s Britain emerges victorious and

becomes the sole trading power in India

British government allows the BEIC to “carry the ball” in India (1760’s – 1858) – BEIC essentially controls areas of the

subcontinent for the British government

Areas of British Control

Effects of BEIC Control(1760’s – 1858)

Over time, the policies and actions of the BEIC begin to build resentment from among the Indian people

Grievances of Indians against BEIC – Outlawed sati, a Hindu religious practice– High taxes collected by BEIC angered farmers– Resent efforts of missionaries to convert them

from Islam/Hinduism to Christianity– Dislike foreign influence in general

The Sepoy Rebellion(1857)

Sepoy – name given to an Indian in the British army Around 1857, events occur which lead to uprising

against BEIC– Rumors begin that new rifle cartridges are greased with

pork/beef fat• This is sacrilegious to Muslims and Hindus

Also, a law is passed requiring Sepoys to serve overseas– Hindus believe that if they travel overseas, they will lose caste

**Thus, in 1857 revolt breaks out around Delhi…

The Attack of Mutineers, July 30, 1857

The Aftermath of the Sepoy Rebellion

India Becomes a British Colony(1858 – 1947)

Result of the Revolt:– After several months of fighting, British put

down the revolt– The British government has had enough of

BEIC control– They declare India an official colony in 1858

Ruled 2/3rds of India directly– End reliance on sepoys and Indians in

government– 1/3rd remaining (Indian kingdoms) had to sign

treaties with the British giving up power

India Under British Rule

(1858–1947)

Calls for Independence**Indians continue to resist British control after

Sepoy Rebellion – but nationalists share different ideas about which direction to go- Some wanted return to Hindu ways, some wanted blending of Hindu and European cultures

Indian National Congress (INC) formed in 1885; mostly Hindu– called for gradual change and opening of government

jobs to Indians– Gandhi becomes leader in 1920

Muslim League formed 1906– Counterbalance to INC; mostly Muslim– Under the leadership of Ali Jinnah