INCA - The Indian Mutiny Flashcards
How much area did India cover before the mutiny?
1.75 million square miles
What was India’s population before the mutiny?
Approx 294 million
What percentage of Indian territory did the British Raj cover? Home to about how much of the Indian population?
Around 61.5%, Home to almost 78% of the Indian population
What were the 7 provinces that the Raj divided into?
-Bombay
-Bengal
-Madras
-Punjab
-Central provinces
-North western provinces
-North west frontier
Were the princely states independent before the mutiny?
No, although they were not part of the raj
What had princely states signed with the raj before the mutiny?
Many had signed treaties that enabled them to manage domestic policy, with Britain protecting them from attack, but Britain also gaining control of the foreign and defence policies
When was the EIC granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth 1?
31st december 1600
What did EIC do upon arrival 1600s?
Establish trading areas to sell British exports such as wool and iron to Indians
British expansion in India pre mutiny came at the expense of who?
The Mughal empire
What was the largest Indian province?
Bengal, annexed by the EIC in 1757 following the battle of plassey
What did EIC do in 1773?
Turned to British Empire for help because of difficulty financially maintaining such a large and significant colony.
How did Britain respond to EICs call for help 1773?
India Act 1784 which gave the British Government power to guide the politics of India by appointing a British governor general
What was the Mughal Empire in 1815?
A state of advanced decay, instability deepened across the subcontinent, many princes disassociate with them
What happened when the British would try defend their interests pre mutiny?
They would be met with armed resistance which led the British to retaliate and annex further areas of India
When was Lord William Bentick Lord Governor General?
1828-1835
What did Lord William Bentick focus on?
Rapid programs of westernisation
What were some of the features of Lord William Benticks scheme?
-English official language of law, administration and education
-Gangs (Thugee) were supressed
-Traditional Indian customs were outlawed
What made the indigenous people resent the British Empire pre mutiny?
Lord William Benticks westernisation disregarded cherished Indian religious, social and regional customs.
What could be seen as a direct cause of the Indian Mutiny?
Lord William Benticks policies of rapid westernisation
What happened in February 1857?
Sepoys in Bengal refused to obey orders, also in Meerut and Delhi, sepoys turned on Officers.
Where did Sepoys seize control of during February 1857?
Northern cities, including Agra, Lucknow and Cawnpore.
Why did Sepoys seize northern cities during the mutiny?
As a short lived attempt to resurrect the old mughal empire as a figurehead
Who were the rebellious Sepoys joined by?
By sections of the urban population and rural population.(Landowners, peasants)
What 5 steps of the event happened in Cawnpore February 1857?
-There was a struggle where about 1,000 British women. men and children were starved into submission
-British army tried to force into submission
-Sepoys threw dead women over the city walls
-British stormed city to find bloody clothing and ripped hair
-Captured sepoys forced to lick blood of victims before being hanged
When was the bitter fighting finally over, and the rebels defeated?
In June 1858
What were two religious causes of the Indian Mutiny?
-Lee Enfield Rifle with beef and pork fat.
-Westernisation would force Indians to accept alien culture
What were two Economic causes of the Indian Mutiny?
-After EIC ended 1813, India was swarmed by cheap British goods which native businessmen and merchants could not compete with
-British sold vast areas of land to property developers who implemented landlord systems (high taxes)
What was a territorial cause of the Indian Mutiny?
-British were constnatly looking to more lands in India. Annexation took place in Punjab and Sind, Berar and Oudh. Through conquering with the Sepoy army.
