British Imperialism in India

1. British Imperialism in India What was the British Raj and why did it form?

2. Economic Imperialism in India • 1600: British East India Company begins setting up trading posts in India • India’s ruling Mughal Dynasty keeps European traders under control • 1757: Mughal Dynasty starts to collapse BEIC • B.E.I.C’s troops attack remaining Mughal troops in the Battle of Plassey) & B.E.I.C takes control of India • B.E.I.C expands its army by enlisting sepoys, which were Indian soldiers • India becomes the main supplier of raw materials to Britain & is considered the “Jewel in the Crown” • 1850s: Indians protest as they find out soldier’s rifles were greased with pork & beef fat. Cow is sacred to Hindus, Muslims don’t use pork • 1857: Sepoys rebel against the B.E.I.C. – Sepoy Mutiny (Rebellion) • Indian Muslims and Hindus would not unite together & B.E.I.C. struggles but wins war with help from British Government

3. As a result of the Sepoy Mutiny, the British Gov. takes direct control of India (colony) • This period is known as the British Raj • 1900: Ram Mohun Roy states Indians need change or will be forever ruled by British • The Sikhs in India also aid the British • 1905:British partition Bengal, divide province into Hindu & Muslim section to keep two groups disunited