The British Empire in India

The British Empire in India In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Imperialism Sepoy Rebellion British East India Company Effects of British Imperialism on India E. Napp

Imperialism is the practice of one country extending its control over the political and economic life of another country. The British conquered and colonized India. E. Napp

The British East India Company controlled trade between India and Britain. In the 1700s, the British East India Company began to control India’s political and economic life. E. Napp

In the 1830s, the East India Company came under the control of the British government. Many Indians resented British rule. E. Napp

In 1857, a large number of British-trained Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, rebelled against their British officers. E. Napp

Sepoys had to bite off bullet cartridges which they thought were greased with pork or beef fat. Muslim and Hindu soldiers believed they were being forced to violate their religion. E. Napp

The angry sepoys rose up against their British officers. The Sepoy rebellion quickly spread to cities across northern and central India. One effect of the mutiny was that the British government abolished the East India Company and took over formal rule of India. E. Napp

The Sepoy Rebellion was put down and India became a British possession. The British ruled India for two centuries. They changed many aspects of Indian life. E. Napp

The British provided a single system of law and government, unifying India. They also introduced English as a unifying language. E. Napp

The British built roads, bridges, and railroads in India. They set up telegraph wires. However, India’s cottage industries, in which goods were made in homes, were hurt by competition with British goods. E. Napp

The British built hospitals, introduced new medicines, and provided famine relief. At the same time, health care improvements led to a population explosion without an increase in economic opportunities. E. Napp

Indians were also looked down upon by the British and their culture was treated as inferior to European culture. Indian workers provided the British with inexpensive labor. E. Napp

Indians worked for long hours under terrible working conditions. The British gained wealth while Indians were exploited. E. Napp

Questions for Reflection: • Why did the British conquer and colonize India? • Who were sepoys and why did they rebel against the British? • How did the Sepoy Rebellion change the political situation in India? • What were the effects of British Imperialism on India? E. Napp

The British Empire in India