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FrontPage: Take a FP sheet. What do you think is happening?. Homework: No homework. Colonization and Control Of India. From First Contact to Total Control. “First Contactâ€. 1498 – Portugal’s Vasco de Gama reaches the coast of India Portuguese build trading empire on Asian coast
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FrontPage: Take a FP sheet. What do you think is happening? Homework: No homework
Colonization and Control 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
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
TheSepoyRebellion(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…
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
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