Colonial Rule in India
· 1510 Portuguese arrive in India
· First viceroy was Francesco de
· a route was found between India and Portugal
· First capital of Portugal in India was Cochin second was Goa
· 1752 Mozambique got its own separate government
· 1844 Portuguese government stopped administration of Macau, Sonar, and Timur
· its authority was confined to colonies on the Malabar coast of India
· Dutch India 1605- 1825
· Merchants of Dutch East India Company established in India
· They were looking for spices to trade with textile they traded in the east Indies
· After they conquered Ceylon from the Portuguese they also took over the Malabar coast
· Precious stones, indigo, silk, opium, pepper, and Indian slaves were imported on the spice Islands in the Cape colony
· Danish India- 1622- 1869
· 225 years
· Danish India had little significance to the European powers
· Were not able to dominate
· No military or mercantile threat
· Managed to cling on till 1845
· After that it was given to the British
· 1510-1961 British India
· 1779- 1954 French India
· French India was a general name
· 1947-1954 de facto corporation into the union of India
· 1858 British east India company ends and British crown assumes power over India
· Dissolved in 1874
· Controlled half of world trade
· Wealthy aristocrats started the east India company
· 1700s they received a royal charter form Queen Elizabeth
· Ruled wit their own private army
· 1858- 1947 British Raj
· Region was unanimously known as India
· 1876 Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India
· Lasted until 1947
· British Indian empire was partitioned into two separate sovereign states union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan (Islamic Republic of Pakistan)
· Eastern half became People’s Republic of Bangladesh
· At the beginning of the Raj in 1858 lower Burma was already a part of British India
· Upper Burma was added in 1886 resulting the union OF Burma
· Administered as a province till 1937
· Then became a separate British Colony gaining independence in 1948
· First viceroy was Francesco de
· a route was found between India and Portugal
· First capital of Portugal in India was Cochin second was Goa
· 1752 Mozambique got its own separate government
· 1844 Portuguese government stopped administration of Macau, Sonar, and Timur
· its authority was confined to colonies on the Malabar coast of India
· Dutch India 1605- 1825
· Merchants of Dutch East India Company established in India
· They were looking for spices to trade with textile they traded in the east Indies
· After they conquered Ceylon from the Portuguese they also took over the Malabar coast
· Precious stones, indigo, silk, opium, pepper, and Indian slaves were imported on the spice Islands in the Cape colony
· Danish India- 1622- 1869
· 225 years
· Danish India had little significance to the European powers
· Were not able to dominate
· No military or mercantile threat
· Managed to cling on till 1845
· After that it was given to the British
· 1510-1961 British India
· 1779- 1954 French India
· French India was a general name
· 1947-1954 de facto corporation into the union of India
· 1858 British east India company ends and British crown assumes power over India
· Dissolved in 1874
· Controlled half of world trade
· Wealthy aristocrats started the east India company
· 1700s they received a royal charter form Queen Elizabeth
· Ruled wit their own private army
· 1858- 1947 British Raj
· Region was unanimously known as India
· 1876 Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India
· Lasted until 1947
· British Indian empire was partitioned into two separate sovereign states union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan (Islamic Republic of Pakistan)
· Eastern half became People’s Republic of Bangladesh
· At the beginning of the Raj in 1858 lower Burma was already a part of British India
· Upper Burma was added in 1886 resulting the union OF Burma
· Administered as a province till 1937
· Then became a separate British Colony gaining independence in 1948
1857 War of iIndependence
War of Independence
1. What kind of revolts took place before the revolt of 1857?
Many revolts took place in this time period. The people who revolted were mainly deprived landlords, peasants, artisans, and disbanded soldiers. People resented british rule and this was the cause of most of the uprisings during that time.
2. What were the trbal revolts? Why did they take place?
The British took over the land of most tribal people. They used it to grow cash crops. The tribal people became landless and were forced to work as laborers. This along with other factors led to many tribal revolts in india.
3. What were the political causes for the revolt of 1857?
The British policy of Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, and other factors increased discontent among the people. British polices were thought of by the Indian people as ufair. This eventually led to the 1857 war of independence.
4. What were the social for the revolt of 1857?
Britsh interfered in the religios traditions of the Indians. Hindus and muslims were forced to convert to Christianity. High ranking positions were al held by the British. Widowm marriage was also legalized by them. The role of pandits and maulvis were also reduced. This angered the Indian people. Customary rights like pusturage and
5. What were the economic reasons for the revolt of 1857?
The British annexed land from farmers which left them with no land and no money. Taxes were high, Indian industry was ruined when Britiah goods were sold at cheaper rates,soldiers los their jobs, and Royal patronage to poets, artisans, and musicians was taken away which left them with no money.
6. What were the military for the revolt of 1857?
Indian soldiers were payed very little compared to the British. No Indian soldier could get a high ran in the army. Indian soldiers were humiliated and forced to fight wars outide of India. Indian soldiers of all castes were treated the same which was a high disappointment for the Indian soldiers.
7. 7-8 consequences of the war of independence of 1857?
· Changes in the administrative set up: end of company rule,governance was to be carried on as before by the Governor General who was also given the title of Viceroy policy towards Indian Princes and Chiefs.
· End of the Peshwa and the Mughal rule
· Promises to the people.
· Changes in army organization
· Policy of divide and rule
· Increased economic exploitation.
· Rise of nationalism in India
1. What kind of revolts took place before the revolt of 1857?
Many revolts took place in this time period. The people who revolted were mainly deprived landlords, peasants, artisans, and disbanded soldiers. People resented british rule and this was the cause of most of the uprisings during that time.
2. What were the trbal revolts? Why did they take place?
The British took over the land of most tribal people. They used it to grow cash crops. The tribal people became landless and were forced to work as laborers. This along with other factors led to many tribal revolts in india.
3. What were the political causes for the revolt of 1857?
The British policy of Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, and other factors increased discontent among the people. British polices were thought of by the Indian people as ufair. This eventually led to the 1857 war of independence.
4. What were the social for the revolt of 1857?
Britsh interfered in the religios traditions of the Indians. Hindus and muslims were forced to convert to Christianity. High ranking positions were al held by the British. Widowm marriage was also legalized by them. The role of pandits and maulvis were also reduced. This angered the Indian people. Customary rights like pusturage and
5. What were the economic reasons for the revolt of 1857?
The British annexed land from farmers which left them with no land and no money. Taxes were high, Indian industry was ruined when Britiah goods were sold at cheaper rates,soldiers los their jobs, and Royal patronage to poets, artisans, and musicians was taken away which left them with no money.
6. What were the military for the revolt of 1857?
Indian soldiers were payed very little compared to the British. No Indian soldier could get a high ran in the army. Indian soldiers were humiliated and forced to fight wars outide of India. Indian soldiers of all castes were treated the same which was a high disappointment for the Indian soldiers.
7. 7-8 consequences of the war of independence of 1857?
· Changes in the administrative set up: end of company rule,governance was to be carried on as before by the Governor General who was also given the title of Viceroy policy towards Indian Princes and Chiefs.
· End of the Peshwa and the Mughal rule
· Promises to the people.
· Changes in army organization
· Policy of divide and rule
· Increased economic exploitation.
· Rise of nationalism in India
Important events between 1857 and 1947
- 1600-British East India Company is established.
- 1857-The Indian Mutiny or The First War of Independence.
- 1858-The India Act: power transferred to British Government.
- 1885-Indian National Congress founded by A. O. Hume to unite all Indians and strengthen bonds with Britain.
- 1905-First Partition of Bengal for administrative purposes. Gives the Muslims a majority in that state.
- 1906-All India Muslim League founded to promote Muslim political interests.
- 1909-Revocation of Partition of Bengal. Creates anti-British and anti-Hindu sentiments among Muslims as they lose their majority in East Bengal.
- 1916-Lucknow Pact. The Congress and the League unite in demand for greater self-government. It is denied by the British.
- 1919-Rowlatt Acts, or black acts passed over opposition by Indian members of the Supreme Legislative Council. These were peacetime extensions of wartime emergency measures. Their passage causes further disaffection with the British and leads to protests. Amritsar Massacre. General Dyer opens fire on 20,000 unarmed Indian civilians at a political demonstration against the Rowlatt Acts. Congress and the League lose faith in the British.
- 1919-Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (implemented in 1921). A step to self-government in India within the Empire, with greater provincialisation, based on a dyarchic principle in provincial government as well as administrative responsibility. Communal representation institutionalised for the first timeas reserved legislative seats are allocated for significant minorities.
- 1920-Gandhi launches a non-violent, non-cooperation movement, or Satyagraha, against the British for a free India.
- 1922-Twenty-one policemen are killed by Congress supporters at Chauri -Chaura. Gandhi suspends non-cooperation movement and is imprisoned.
- 1928-Simon Commission, set up to investigate the Indian political environment for future policy-making, fails as all parties boycott it.
- 1929-Congress calls for full independence.
- 1930-Dr. Allama Iqbal, a poet-politician, calls for a separate homeland for the Muslims at the Allahabad session of the Muslim League. Gandhi starts Civil Disobedience Movement against the Salt Laws by which the British had a monopoly over production and sale of salt.
- 1930-31-The Round Table conferences, set up to consider Dominion status for India. They fail because of non-attendance by the Congress and because Gandhi, who does attend, claims he is the only representative of all of India.
- 1931-Irwin-Gandhi Pact, which concedes to Gandhi's demands at the Round Table conferences and further isolates Muslim League from the Congress and the British.
- 1932-Third Round Table Conference boycotted by Muslim League. Gandhi re-starts civil disobedience. Congress is outlawed by the British and its leaders.
- 1935-Government of India Act: proposes a federal India of political provinces with elected local governments but British control over foreign policy and defence.
- 1937-Elections. Congress is successful in gaining majority.
- 1939-Congress ministries resign.
- 1940-Jinnah calls for establishment of Pakistan in an independent and partitioned India.
- 1942-Cripps Mission o India, to conduct negotiations between all political parties and to set up a cabinet government. Congress adopts Quit India Resolution, to rid India of British rule. Congress leaders arrested for obstructing war effort.
- 1942-43-Muslim League gains more power: ministries formed in Sind, Bengal and North-West Frontier Province and greater influence in the Punjab.
- 1944-Gandhi released from prison. Unsuccessful Gandhi-Jinnah talks, but Muslims see this as an acknowledgment that Jinnah represents all Indian Muslims.
- 1945-The new Labour Government in Britain decides India is strategically indefensible and begins to prepare for Indian independence. Direct Action Day riots convince British that Partition is inevitable.
- 1946-Muslim League participates in Interim Government that is set up according to the Cabinet Mission Plan.
- 1947-Announcement of Lord Mountbatten's plan for partition of India, 3 June. Partition of India and Pakistan, 15 August. Radcliffe Award of boundaries of the nations, 16 August.
- 1971-East Pakistan separates from West Pakistan and Bangladesh is born.
The War of Independence
1. What was the official British explanation for the uprising of 1857?
The official British explanation for the uprising of 157 was that the Bengal Native Army had alone mutinied, and any civil disturbances that occurred after were natural by-products of the collapse of law and order.
2. What does the term mutiny implies?
The term mutiny implies subordination and rebellion within the army.
3. What was the “P-53 Enfield Rifle Cartridge Issue”?
The P-53 Rifle cartrridge issue was thhat the cartridge of the rifle was greased with cow and pig fat. This hurt the religios sentiments of the people because the cow was sacred to hindus and the pig was inauspicious to Muslims. It caused a religious conflict.
4. What was the impact of cartridge issue on the uprising of 1857?
This created a sense of hostility. It created a major uprising because it hurt the religious sntiments of the people.
5. How territorial conquest was the prime objective of Britain?
They annexed many parts of India. They crushed princely states. They wanted to acquire more land and more resources for the empire.
6. Who was the instigator of “Territorial Conquest of Britain”?
Lord Dalhousie was the instigator.
7. Which administration /administrator (1848-56) began an “Annexation policy” called the “Doctrine of Lapse” and what did the doctrine proclaim?
Lord Dalhousie’s administration. It proclaimed that any stae with an incompetent ruler or withoit a natural heir would be consolidated under British legislaion to safeguard against outside rule.
8. Leadership was deemed imperative to a successful uprising. Who was employed for the job (a Maratha Indian leader)? Give name.
Nana Sahib was employed.
9. What do we know about “Kanpur Massacre” and when did it occur?
It occurred in June 1857. Nna Sahib, Tantiya Tope, and Brigadie Jwale are leading luminaries in the war.
10. When was the first successful anti colonial re-possession of Indian soil?
It was in 1857.
11. During the revolt of 1857 the Muslims sought to reinstate whom/what, and Hindus worked for whom/what to bring to power?
Hindus wanted to tbring the Maratha Empire back and Muslims wanted to reinstate Muslim Princes.
12. What do you know about “Misrule of the East India Company”?
They government was ineffective. They wanted more resoucrces for the empire. They just wanted more land.
The official British explanation for the uprising of 157 was that the Bengal Native Army had alone mutinied, and any civil disturbances that occurred after were natural by-products of the collapse of law and order.
2. What does the term mutiny implies?
The term mutiny implies subordination and rebellion within the army.
3. What was the “P-53 Enfield Rifle Cartridge Issue”?
The P-53 Rifle cartrridge issue was thhat the cartridge of the rifle was greased with cow and pig fat. This hurt the religios sentiments of the people because the cow was sacred to hindus and the pig was inauspicious to Muslims. It caused a religious conflict.
4. What was the impact of cartridge issue on the uprising of 1857?
This created a sense of hostility. It created a major uprising because it hurt the religious sntiments of the people.
5. How territorial conquest was the prime objective of Britain?
They annexed many parts of India. They crushed princely states. They wanted to acquire more land and more resources for the empire.
6. Who was the instigator of “Territorial Conquest of Britain”?
Lord Dalhousie was the instigator.
7. Which administration /administrator (1848-56) began an “Annexation policy” called the “Doctrine of Lapse” and what did the doctrine proclaim?
Lord Dalhousie’s administration. It proclaimed that any stae with an incompetent ruler or withoit a natural heir would be consolidated under British legislaion to safeguard against outside rule.
8. Leadership was deemed imperative to a successful uprising. Who was employed for the job (a Maratha Indian leader)? Give name.
Nana Sahib was employed.
9. What do we know about “Kanpur Massacre” and when did it occur?
It occurred in June 1857. Nna Sahib, Tantiya Tope, and Brigadie Jwale are leading luminaries in the war.
10. When was the first successful anti colonial re-possession of Indian soil?
It was in 1857.
11. During the revolt of 1857 the Muslims sought to reinstate whom/what, and Hindus worked for whom/what to bring to power?
Hindus wanted to tbring the Maratha Empire back and Muslims wanted to reinstate Muslim Princes.
12. What do you know about “Misrule of the East India Company”?
They government was ineffective. They wanted more resoucrces for the empire. They just wanted more land.