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Ch. 12 Sec. 4. The British Take Over India. Britain in India. British East India Company 1600s - win trading rights on the fringe of Mughal empire Company’s influence grew as Mughal power declined mid-1800s - controlled 3/5 of India much like a nation would control Exploited disunity
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Ch. 12 Sec. 4 The British Take Over India
Britain in India • British East India Company • 1600s - win trading rights on the fringe of Mughal empire • Company’s influence grew as Mughal power declined • mid-1800s - controlled 3/5 of India much like a nation would control • Exploited disunity • Company’s army overpowered local rulers
Company Policy • Main goal: Get rich • Also worked to improve roads, preserve peace and reduce banditry • Indians resented: • Influence of social change • Religion, caste system, customs (sati) • Unpopular moves with the sepoy • Required to serve anywhere (against faith) • New rifles - bite off cartridges (greased w/ fat)
Sepoy Rebellion • Refusal to load rifles led to no pay • Angry sepoys rose up against British officers • Some brutal massacres of British • British soon crushed the revolt • Left bitter legacy of feat, hatred and mistrulst • Parliament ended the rule of East India Co. and put directly under the British crown • Viceroy governed in name of the monarch
British Impact • Incorporate India into the British economy • Helped modernize • Railroads, telegraph networks • Ruined • Hand-weaving industry with machine-made textiles • Encouraging cash crops led to deforestation and famines • The Debate • Western technology or Hindu/Muslim culture • Ram Mohun Roy combined both views • Learn from the West (English-style education) • Reform traditional Indian culture
Traditions continued • Condemned • Caste, child marriage, sati, purdah • Revive • Pride in Indian culture • Theology, philosophy • Literary classics • Many British were ignorant of the value of Indian achievements
Indian National Congress • Western educated Indians led the nationalist movement of Western ideals and ending imperial rule • Greater democracy bringing more power to Indians • Supported Western-style modernization • Pursued eventual self-rule • Early years saw Muslims and Hindus working side by side • 1906 Muslims formed the Muslim League • Resented Hindu domination of Congress