Imperialism In India

British East India Company• The East India Company started to take over India in 1757.• It was the leading power in India after the British victory in the Battle of Plassey. • The power expanded over time to Modern Bangladesh, most of southern India, and

areas along the Ganges River.• The company ruled with little interference from the British government

and had their own army with Indian soldiers called sepoys.• India known as the “Jewel in the Crown” because it was the most important

British colony and had many natural resources.• The company would not allow Indian economy to operate on its own.

‘JEWEL IN THE CROWN’• INDIA!• India was considered Britain's most valuable colony

• Major supplier of raw materials• Large market for British-made goods

• British East India Company ruled India until the Sepoy Rebellion, then the British Government took over.

• Sphere of Influence – Britain had exclusive trade rights with India

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Sepoy Mutiny (1857)• Indian soldiers, Hindus and Muslims fighting for the British.• Heard rumors of casing bullets in pig and beef fat which neither Hindus

or Muslims could eat• Soldiers were jailed disobeying soldiers • Rebelled and captured the city of Delhi.• Took a year for British to regain control • British East India company lost control as a result of the mutiny• The British Government took control of India, made it a colony and the

government was called the Raj.