Summarize the Independence Movements in India
Company rule under the English East India Company (EIC)
- EIC took advantage of Mughal decline, began expanding trade posts
- 1750s- British conquest began to protect from commercial disorder
- Expanded inland from trading cities and forts at Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay- won official rights to rule from Mughal and local authority
- enforced rule with small British army and large number of Indian troops called sepoys
- Sepoy mutiny turned into large-scale rebellion (sepoys had to tear animal-fat paper off bullet cartridges with teeth, offensive to Hindus and Muslims) that threatened British authority- attacked British officials and civilians
- Because of conflicting interests of the rebels, British forces shut them down with modern weapons and technology
British imperial rule replaced EIC to stabilize affairs
- British viceroy and high level British civil-service ruled India
- British officials appointed viceroy and formulated all domestic and foreign policy
- Indians held low-level bureaucratic positions
- Queen Victoria established secretary of state for India
Economic restructuring of India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
- Introduction of commercial crops: tea in Ceylon, also opium and coffee
- Built railroads, telegraph lines, new canals, harbors, and irrigation methods
British rule did not interfere with Indian culture or Hindu religion
- No promotion of Christian religion
- Established English-style schools for Indian elites
- Outlawed Indian customs considered offensive, such as sati- burning of widow along with dead husband