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British in India. East India Company. Joint-stock company Cotton, tea, opium, silk, indigo dye Controlled large parts of India 1757 – 1858 Special relationship with British government Gave it a monopoly Fought with other countries – wanted permanent ports in India. Treaty with Jahangir .
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East India Company • Joint-stock company • Cotton, tea, opium, silk, indigo dye • Controlled large parts of India 1757 – 1858 • Special relationship with British government • Gave it a monopoly • Fought with other countries – wanted permanent ports in India
Treaty with Jahangir • 1615 – arranged with Emperor Jahangir (Akbar’s son) for permanent trading posts • Sarat, Madras, Calcutta • However, things were not always so peaceful…
Sir Robert Clive • Born in Shropshire, England • Expelled from 3 schools • However, excellent soldier • Largely credited with having established British supremacy in India
Clive goes to India… • India had become divided after Aurangzeb’s death • Black Hole of Calcutta • Alleged 123 out of 146 died • Battle of Plassey • Clive defeats Mughal-led army
To the victor goes the spoils • East India Company receives 2.5 million pounds and the power to tax • Clive becomes Governor of Bengal • Clive given 30,000 pounds • Clive tries to steal as much local wealth as possible – eventually gets put on trial: • “"A great prince was dependent on my pleasure, an opulent city lay at my mercy; its richest bankers bid against each other for my smiles; I walked through vaults which were thrown open to me alone, piled on either hand with gold and jewels! Mr. Chairman, at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation”- Clive at his impeachment trial
Bengal Famine 1770 • 1772 – Company established capital in Calcutta and becomes directly involved in governance • Famine estimated to have killed 1/3 of the population – about 10-15 million people • Increased taxes by 3-4 times • Food brought out of the country • Also enacted policies to prevent reserve supplies
Not all bad… • Railroads • Universities • Cities • Democracy • English Language
Aftermath • 1858 – Company rule handed over to Britain – India becomes part of British empire • 1916 – Gandhi leads struggle for independence • 1947 – independence granted • Partition (divided) India and Pakistan 250,000 – 500,00 deaths