1857-1890: Relations with indigenous people Flashcards
What happened during Indian Mutiny
Rebellion among sepoys in Bengal army.
Refused to obey orders
Meerut sepoys turned on Br officers and mob on Europeans
Short-lived attempt to return Mughal Emperor
What caused the Indian Mutiny
Grievances about pay
Changes to condition of service
Rumours of rifle covered in sacred animals fat
Landlords and nobles being deprived of their land
Rebels were angry landowners who lost their land or peasants who resented the taxation
Outcome of the Indian Mutiny
Though large areas left untouched by rebellion. Emperors sons were executed so no chance of Mughal ruling India again. Villages were burnt. Rebels were tortured. British officers as well as wives and children were murdered. British rule was only reasserted till June 1858 at final battle of Gwalior.
Impact of Mutiny - Government and society
Belief that foreigners were brutish were further enforced. Meaning Br people would act superior. Though Br did act more religiously sensitive way. The Raj had created many laws that Br thought were fair but in reality only benefitted themselves. As well as the fact that it would rarely help the peasants. Br favoured the educated elite.
What did Viceroy Canning do
During 1859 and 1861 he would:
Return some land and titles
Star of India medals introduced
Position in Imperial Assembly/Statutory Civil Service shared with
nobility
Educational establishments, in English, were opened
How did education improve
Many universities were established in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta in 1857. Social reformer Mary Carpenter visited India 4 times and help establish a corps for Br teachers for India, Girls’ schools in Bombay and Ahmedabad. As well as a college to train female Indian teachers.
How did railways improve
Built with strategic than economic purposes. But helped the economy. Trains were used to lend higher profile to Br rule and help affirm control. Helped to carry personnel and soldiers quickly. Br relied on Indians to run the railways. A high number of Anglo-Indians and Christian Indians as they were thought to be more loyal to Raj.
Overall view on Br rule in India
Br thought rule was liberating for Indians. Whig reformist T.B. Macauley thought educating Indians to become ‘English in taste, in opinions, in morals’ was justified for Br rule in India
Who were the Bantu
General label for 300-600 ethnic groups in Africa who speak Bantu language. Includes Xhosa, Pedi and Zulu tribes
How were relations with Boers and Bantu during 1867-80
Diamonds found near Kimberley in West Griqualand, 1867
Diamond rush attracted white settlers and Bantu.
1868, Br annexed Basutoland claiming Bantu wanted protection from the Boers
1871 Br also took West Griqualand
Following year those in West trekked to the east to establish Griqualand East. Also annexed in 1873
Br proposed federation of Br and Boers. But Boers refused
Xhosa war 1877-78. Br easily disarmed and annexed them to the cape
Boers less successful with Pedi. They gained independence in East Transvaal
Br announced annexation of Transvaal in 1877 to help defend white settlers from Pedi and Zulus. Boers reluctantly accepted the help with Br invading Zululand in Jan 1879
Zulu war details
Zulu army did defeat Br at Isandlwana. But Br army defeated Zulu at their capital, Ulundi in July 1879.
Town was burned to ground and Zululand was incorporated into Natal..
Campaign ended on attack on Pedi.
Once Zulu been defeated, Boers declared independence from Br in 1880
Relations with Boers and Bantu, 1880-90
Boers rejected Br control in 1880. Attacked Br across Transvaal.
Br forced to sign Convention of Pretoria, recognising Boer self-government in Transvaal, though Br had a right to control external affairs
More problems arose with Germany in South-West Africa 1884. German presence made Br fear an alliance of Boers and Germans
So 1885 Br annexed Bechuanaland to prevent ally of German and Boer territory
1886, gold discovered In Transvaal. Many non-Boer (Uitlanders) into Transvaal. Cecil Rhodes was one who got charter for Br South Africa Company in 1889.
How were the Bantu treated
Little care given.
Were exploited heavily by mining companies, limiting there right to have claim over mines or trade products.
White got skilled job and reaped profits while Blacks got manual labour
