The British Take Over India

The British Take Over India “Quick” Review

Question 1Who did the British defeat at the Battle of Plessey to first gain control of India’s trade? (Who ruled India prior to the East India Company?) The Mughal Empire

Question 2How would we describe India prior to British influence? Divided – Culturally and religiously

Question 3What was the main goal of the British East India Company? $$$ To make a profit $$$

Question 4If you were a lower class Indian, would you appreciate the British eliminating the caste system? Explain! YES! The caste system was a hereditary social class system restricting the occupations and associations of the different classes

Question 5What was one example of an Indian law changed by the British? The Sati was banned

Question 6 What were the causes of the Sepoy rebellion? - The British ignored the cultural practices of the Indian and packed the rifle cartridges with animal fats, thus making the Indians come into contact with animals forbidden by their religion and/or culture. - British Ethnocentrism

Question 7What were the results of the Sepoy Rebellion? A Legacy of fear and mistrust on both sides 2. Britain take complete control of India

Question 8What was the name of the British system in India? Raj

Question 9What is the purpose of a viceroy? To rule over a colony with the authority of the foreign ruler – example = Queen Victoria used her viceroy’s to rule India, rather than physically go there herself

Question 10Due to all that is offered, India became know as the … Brightest Jewel in the crown of the empire

Question 11Unlike Africa, Britain did much to “improve” India. List some of the improvements Building of railroads, telegraph lines…(needs more)

Question 12 On the topic of British Imperialism, how might the opinion of a western educated Indian be different from the local Indian, lacking knowledge of western culture and practices? Those educated by the west may be in favor of independence from the British but they are not likely to rebel – they may protest

Question 13How can we connect British rule with famine? (What is famine?) The British wanted India to produce cash crops, especially cotton for textiles Farmers stopped producing food and began producing cash crops - When the population increased and the harvest went bad, famines swept India

Question 14Who was Ram Mohun Roy? The leader of Indian nationalism - Believed in reforming and using western culture

Question 15How did most British people feel about Indian culture? -The British did not care to learn about Indian Achievements or culture -Ethnocentric

Question 16How were the Indian people divided as Indian Nationalism grew? They were divided by religion – Hindu and Muslim

Question 17*What country was formed to help stop the tension between Hindus and Muslims? Pakistan – a Muslim state

Question 18How can we classify the reaction to Imperialism by the Indian People? Violent – Sepoy Rebellion – not successful Mostly non-violent Nationalism – Gandhi - Some Reform – Ram Mohun Roy

Question 19How did the British show their ethnocentric mindset? Cite examples. Sepoy Rebellion Destruction of Forest Land (Deforestation) Destruction of sacred areas such as the Taj Mahal Taking down the Indian handmade products by the machine made textiles

The British Take Over India