Indian Mutiny 1857-1890 Flashcards
colonial office
headed by a cabinet minister
has to deal with demands of territorial acquisitions
policies known as orders of council
divided into 5 departments : N america, Australia, west indies, africa and mediterranean
India had its own department
Indian office
handled indian affairs
reflected importance of british involvement in india and that the mutiny had shaken british confidence
india’s administration
overseen by british east indian company
long-standing grievances among the population sparked a rebellion in 1857
this was brutally quashed and the company was dissolved
british control was assumed
government of india act 1858
east indian company territories were passed to the queen and company was dissolved
secretary of state of india was created
a council of 15 members with experience in Indian affairs assisted the secretary of state
appointed a vice roy
civil service placed under control of secretary of state
main priority to keep control of
viceroy
ruled india through a thin white line of white british authority supported by an Indian civil service which many could not gain access too due to need for educational qualifications
represented by provincial governors
indian civil service
candidates continued to compete for positions through academic examinations offering open competition
but most senior members were white males due to this
bilingual indians were recruited as low level clerks
native princes
removal of doctrine of lapse ensured loyalty as their estate did not go to the british
legal system
english law prevailed
attention was paid to traditional indian practices and customs
missionaries were discouraged
promotion of education
building of public work schemes - railway and irrigation
india’s defence
proportion of british to indian troops - 2:1
regiments fo troops were cut off ron each other to prevent rebellious thoughts spreading
deliberately mixed by caste and religion
enlisted more Gurkhas and Sikhs who remained loyal during the mutiny
62 of 74 bengal regiments disbanded
indians forbidden from officer positions
ordered to show greater respect to sepoy beliefs and traditions
cause of mutiny - army dissatisfaction
low pay and harsh punishments
overseas deployment
increased recruitment of Sikhs and Gurkhas who were considered inferior to Bengals -ignorance
cause - prophecies
after battle of plessey 1757, rumours that british rule would come to an end after 100 years
circulation of lotus flower
cause - religion
222 christian missionaries stations set up across india
hindus who converted were able to inherit property
showed british ignorance and idea of superiority
ignorance to traditional customs - bringing in doctrine of lapse
catalyst to mutiny
introduction of Enfield rifles - cartridge made of pig and cow fat
had to be torn with teeth - direction insult to religion
sepoys at meerut began to turn on british officers
where did most of the fighting occur
lucknow
arga
cawnpore
Indians actions
joined by urban population
some were discontented land owners,bothers peasants who resented taxation