Chapter 6: Relationship with Indigenous people Flashcards
What happened in the Indian mutiny
Began amongst Sepoys in the army
Cartridges in the Enfield rifle were greased with animal fat which was religious unacceptable for hounds and Muslims
Another reason may have been many landlords and Nobels had been deprived of their land
Began in headquarters of the bengal army in Meerut were rumours of crossing the sea to be sent to Burma offended caste laws about crossing water
The British didn’t understand the conflict of loyalty and announced any disobedience would be severely punished
The sepoys turned on their officers and a mob set upon local europeans
They seized control of most Northern cities and there was a short lived attempt to resurrect the old Mughal Emperor
His sons were executed to destroy hopes of restoring the dynasty
It took 18 months of hard fighting to restore India
What was the impact of the mutiny - government and society
The British tried to act in a more sensitive way
Missionary activity was discouraged
The queen promised her government would treat all equally and uphold the rights of princes and respect religious beliefs
Most of the population regarded British rule with indifference
Star of India was introduced
What was the impact of the mutiny - education
Universities were established
In the 30 years following 1857 60,000 Indians entered universities
Mary Carpenter set up the National India association and set up girls schools
Reforms largely only benefitted the richest Indians and illiteracy rates remained widespread
What was the impact of the mutiny - economic changes
Railways were developed at 2 miles a day after the mutiny
Some European style factories were built but a bulk of manufactured good came from Britain
Tea plantations grew from 1 in 1851 to 295 in 1871
Increase in production and export of raw cotton in the 80s and 90s
What was the impact of the mutiny - military changes
The proportion of British to native troops was raised to 1:2
Native troops were trained and stationed in other districts to prevent national unity
More Gurkhas and Sikhs were recruited
Fewer Bengali troops were recruited 62/74 regiments disbanded
Number of white officers increased
Indians denied officer rankings
Rebels who surrender before jan 1859 were pardoned unless involved in the massacres
What were the benefits of British occupation in India
Railways were built
The British offered markets for Indian agricultural produce
Schemes for irrigation and land improvements were developed
The British provided Indians with cheap manufactured goods
The British provided jobs for Indians on the railways, army, police and civil service
What were the negatives of British occupation
Railways were geared towards trade and control so most villages lacked roads
British markets encouraged specialisation in high value crops (wheat, rice) which meant low value crops (rye, barley millet)that were the main food staple for the population were produced less and therefore Indians had to rely on food imports and consumption per head dropped
British schemes for land improvement and irrigation affected only 6% of the country
India was unable to develop viable industries of their own and its economy was skewed
Only a minority of Indians could access the British jobs
Death rates from famine were high
What was British relations like with the boers in SA 1867-80
Check chapter 6 notes p3/4
