chapter 6: relations with indigenous people Flashcards
What are the explanations for the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny 1857?
-One explanation is that the cartridges in the Enfield rifles were greased with animal fat which went against religious beliefs of both Hindu’s and Muslims
-There was also anger felt by Landlords and Nobles who had been deprived of their land by Governor General Dalhousie.
-In addition there were rumours about the regiments being sent to Burma which went against Caste Laws about crossing water
-the British had also stated that any disobedience would be severely punished which made the situation worse.
When was the Raj restored?
It took 18 months of fighting to restore the Raj which was not entirely reinstated until June 1858 following a final battle at Gwaliar
What were the economic changes following the 1857 Indian Mutiny?
-There was a growth in investment, particularly in railways which were built for strategic purposes to keep control but also to help stimulate economic growth and trade. Railways developed at 2 miles a day after the mutiny.
-Tea plantations grew significantly leading to 295 by 1871
-The production and export of raw cotton increased significantly, leading to its height in the 1880s-1890s
what were the military changes following the mutiny?
-The proportion of British to native troops grew to 1:2
-Native troops were trained and stationed in other districts to prevent national unity
-Number of white British troops increased
-All field artillery was placed in British hands.
how did education extend past the 1857 Indian Mutiny?
-Universities were established in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta in 1857 whilst elite schools such as Mayo College and Bombay Cathedral School were set up.
-In the following 30 years after the Mutiny, 60,000 Indians went into university
-Social Reformer Mary Carpenter visited India 4 times between 1866-1875 as she was concerned with and aimed to improve girls education. She set up the National Indian Association to help promote reforms.
Despite these apparent reforms, inequalities in education prevailed and illiteracy remained widespread.
how did government and society change after the 1857 Mutiny?
-The British tried to act in a more religiously sensitive way which ultimately lead to a greater degree of separation
-After 1857, there was a greater recognition that imposing Western Christian values could be counterproductive and missionary activity was discouraged.
-The Raj was administered under British notions of fairness, Queen Victoria promised that her government would treat all fairly but the legal systems favoured the white man and were too complex/expensive to help the poor.
-The supposed equality of opportunity offered by the British rulers helped the wealthier Indians but did little for the peasants.
-Between 1859-1861 Viceroy Canning made an extensive tour of India to win back those who felt dispossessed or had been alienated by British rule.
How had reporting of the Indian Mutiny skewed the events?
The reporting in Britain had emphasised the savagery of the Indians- ignoring that of the British which
contributed to the souring of the relationship between ruler and ruled. The British public demanded Indian
blood, the Manchester Guardian said ‘outrages fouler than our pens can describe’
Where did Indian rule pass into in 1858?
In 1858, India passed into direct rule of the British Crown and the internal wars which had been a constant
feature during the East India Company’s rule came to an end. There was now a single, centralised government
