British Raj Flashcards
What was the British Raj?
The British rule in India. British involvement in India began as early as 1600 but it wasn’t until 1858 that Britain took direct rule over India.
Why was India referred to the ‘jewel in the crown’ by the British?
As India hugely benefited the British economy.
What was the East India Company?
A British company formed to trade with India in 1600. It few powerful enough to control thousands of square kilometres of territory in the subcontinent.
How did the connection between Britain and India begin?
It began through trade and the growth in prosperity and power of the East India Company.
What was the Indian Mutiny?
It was a mutiny of Indian soldiers (sepoys) serving in the East India Company’s army which occurred in 1857.
What was the Government of India Act?
An Act made by the British Government in 1858 in response to concerns about the power of the EIC and the problems of subduing the then Indian Mutiny of 1857. The Act transferred all the powers of the EIC directly to the British Crown meaning that Britain was now responsible for the governance of India.
What was the Partition of Bengal?
Bengal was large, unruly and difficult to administer. In 1905, in attempt to gain great control, the Viceroy decided to partition the province along religious lines with Muslims controlling East Bengal and Hindus West Bengal. This partition lead to violent protests but Britain managed to deal with them with out too much trouble.
What does nationalism mean?
A country should be able to rule themselves freely.
What was the role of the Viceroy?
They were the government general of india and was representative of the British Monarch. Their political appointment was made in Westminster. They worked from Delhi with a staff of 700 and a salary twice of the British prime minister.
What was the role of a the Secretary of State for India?
Political appointment who was responsible for the development of government policy in India. They were answerable to parliament. They were guided and advised by the council of India who were based back in London.
What was the role of the Council of India?
They helped and supported the Secretary of State for India. None of the workers were Indian, however they did have some experience either working of living in India. They were based in London. The problem with them was that their understanding of India was sometimes out of date due to not working or living there for a significant period of time.
What was the role of the Indian Civil Service?
They ensured that British laws, rules and regulations were implemented in India. It followed a hierarchical structure with power filtering down from the crown. Young me waiting for a career in the service had to pass an examination and then spend time in India alongside a district officer. Leadership and general intelligence was more valued than academic ability. Indian’s could apply for the job but the examinations were held in London, making this difficult.
What were the Princely States?
These were vast areas of the Indian subcontinent that were not directly subject to the British Raj. The Indian Princes ruled about 35% of the country, consisting of 562 separate states.
How much of India’s population were Hindu?
Out of a population of 300 million: 70%
What was the caste system?
A system which divided Hindus into rigid hierarchical groups based on their work and duty. Every Hindu was born into a specific caste and lived their life within that caste. All social relationships we’re predetermined by caste, which no one could leave unless they were prepared to become outcastes with no place in society.
What were the minority regions in India?
Islam- largest minority religion, about 20% of the population. In some parts of the subcontinent mostly in the easy and the north west they were in the majority eg: in Bengal, but they were in the minority in most states.
Sikhs and Christians- the other two sizeable minority religious groups. Sikhs formed a highly localised group, living mainly in Punjab. In the far south of India there was an ancient denomination of Christians.
What were the main beliefs of Hindus?
They believe that all existence comes from an eternal spiritual truth, Brahman. Life’s purpose is to understand ones eternal identity- the soul. The soul is eternal and lives many lifetimes in different human bodies or forms of life.
What were the main beliefs of Muslims?
They believe there is one true god- Allah and that Muhammad is his final profit. There are five pillars of Islam which state beliefs of the religion.
What was the importance of India to Britain?
India was costly to run but this was nothing compared to the economic benefits India brought to Britain.
What was the importance of trade between Britain and India?
India was both a provider of raw materials for British industry and as a market for British manufactured goods. Resources India produced were iron, steel and engineering products which were all important for the British Staple industries. Other resources were cotton, jute, rice, tea, oil-seed, wheat and hides.
How did the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 help trade between Britain and India?
The canal ran between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, greatly reducing travelling times between India and Britain, and thus reducing the cost and transporting goods.
How did Britain ensure that their own goods were being sold successfully in India?
In 1882, all tariffs on British goods were removed making them less expensive so they would sell more easily in Indian markets, meaning that Indias own domestically produced goods were more expensive and didn’t sell as well.
What is a tariff?
An additional price imposed on imported goods making them more expensive than domestically produced ones, therefore protecting their own countries emerging industries.
How did investment in India come in the form of people?
India provided employment for British people who went out to work in government service as members of the Indian Civil Service of other civilian enterprises. They received a good salary and almost all colonial employees went back home to Britain when they retired. They would then receive their pensions paid for by India and these were one of the main home charges on the Indian revenue.
