Imperial and Colonial Policy Flashcards
What has the 1838 Durham report lead
To?
Moved towards a system of “responsible government” in the white settler colonies
In the 1871 census what was the Indian population?
236 million (lived under direct British rule or under protected treaties)
State a brief history on the British East India company
-The East India Company had been granted a monopoly over English trade with Asia in 1600
-By 1750 it had large bases at Madras, Calcutta and Bombay
-After the battle of Plassey against France in 1757, the company was to rule India until 1858
What was the government of India Act 1858?
-Direct British rule
-Position of Secretary of State for India was created and received the powers and duties formerly exercised by the East India Company directors
-15 member Indian Council established
-Indian civil service was placed under the control of the Secretary of State
When was the British East India Company founded?
1606 to rival Dutch competitors
State some evidence of growing British influence in the 1800-1850s
Area of British Control expanded as a result of:
-wars e.g The Punjab 1845-1849
-Doctrine of Lapse = Hindu states where the ruler died without a natural heir would “lapse” into British rule
Reforms introduced to “westernise” India:
-Introduction of English style education and courts
-Outlawing of Sati (1829) - the burning of widows on their husbands funeral pyres
-Permitted missionaries to preach
What the the Indian population by 1850s and ethnicities?
280 million
70% Hindu 20% Muslim
What type of economy did India have?
Pre-industrial economy = mostly subsistence agriculture
Main agricultural products = cotton, tea, rice and wheat
Some limited modern industry = some small scale production of iron, coal and some textiles
What percentage of India was ruled by the princely states?
35%
After Indian mutiny what did the ratio of soldiers change to and the number of Bengal regiments disbanded?
British to Indian was 1:5 went down to 1:2
62 out of 72 Bengal regiments were disbanded
What caused the Indian mutiny ?
Greased cartridges being used by sepoys
Lack of good pay and conditions
Why did the Mutiny fail?
-failed to gain full support across India
-Majority of Indian princes were pro-British
-Sikhs remained loyal
When did Queen Victoria become empress of India ?
1976
How did the Indian Mutiny cause a shifting British attitude ?
= Harsher British attitudes towards colonial subjects across empire
What was the caste system ?
Defined the structure of Hindu society
=strictly hierarchical
Determined at birth and defined all aspects of life
= British deemed as above cast
By 1870 how many miles of railway were built ?
3000 miles
Enabled rapid deployment of troops and had positive economic effects
What did India become known as ?
The Jewel in the Crown
What was the British rule of India described as ?
An Iron fist in a silk glove
How many tea plantations were there in 1851 compared to how many in 1871?
1851= 1
1871=291
