Nearly Losing An Empire: The British In India Flashcards
Define companies
Tried to set up their colonies as private commercial concerns. Frequently found the administration far more expensive than expected to turned to government for help.
Colonies definition
An area directly ruled by a governor on behalf of the British government and representing the crown the governor was responsible to the colonial office in London, although he usually had wide powers of discretion.
Protectorate definition
Territories where the local rulers could continue ruling domestically but they had ceded foreign and defence to the British.
Why were the British interested in India
Following loss of American colonies, India became centrepiece for British.
Cotton, silk, opium.
What was unique about the EIC
Monopoly given by Elizabeth the first on trade with India
Set up to challenge the powerful Dutch trade in the East Indies who were trading in spices.
The new joint stock company was powerful enough to challenge the Dutch monopoly on spice trade.
What did the EIC trade In
Cotton and silk, spices, porcelain and tea.
Relationship with Indian prices
The EIC made alliances with local Indian princes to increase its trade, at the expense of the French.
EIC as a money maker
Young British men went to join the EIC to make their fortune. Men typically 15 years old
2/3 died, 1/3 in the first year.
Remaining 1/3 went back to England very wealthy.
Significance of the growing improve of trade with India and the far east
Britain imported cotton silk, pepper, spices and indigo
Used Indian opium to finance lucrative tea trade with china.
Prior to colonisation, India was one of the largest industrial producers in the world, exporting high quality textiles around the world.
This began to change when the British EIC assumed control of bengal in 1757.
India was the jewel in the crown for Britain. By 1900, 45% of all exports went to India.
Nabobs
A person who made a fortune in India and returned to England extremely wealthy
EIC leaders such as Robert Clive and Warren Hastings profited enormously.
Both men invested some of their fortunes into acquiring political power in Britain
By 1760, around 10% of MPs were Nabobs.
This gave them significant power and influence over British government policy.
The bengal famine
Between 1769 and 1770 a famine hit the bengal region. Due to bad weather the harvest had failed to produce enough crops.
Many farmer had no reserves of food because they had to sell to afford high taxes demanded by EIC.
EIC did not put a relief plan in place and 10 million people died.
What is Diwani
The right to collect taxes In bengal.
The Hindu caste system
Around 3000 years old.
System divides Hindus into rigid hierarchical groups
Dictates Hindus lives
British attitudes to culture beliefs and customs
Originally intrigued, many married Indians
Originally a non-intervention approach
EIC encouraged to respect Hindu culture, discouraged Christian missionaries.
First governor general, Hastings, set up schools to teach Arabic and Islamic law.
Early 19th century these attitudes began to change.
Examples of changing British attitudes towards Indians
1813 charter act opened India to Christian missionaries
Led to the development of Anglicanism
1830s, series of English Christian colleges opened in India
1835, English became language of education, Persian abolished as language
The English education act.
The regulating act
1773, created the office with the title of governor- general
1833 government of India act
Ended EIC monopoly on trade with china and east Asia.
Extended EIC charter in India for 20 years
Changed position of governor of bengal to governor general of india.
The governor general in council were given exclusive legislative powers and the right to proclaim laws.
William bentincks reforms
English made official language and instruction of India after passing the English education act 1835
Western curriculum with English as the language.
Opened Calcutta medical college with open access to all
Started process of codifying laws which helped to create a unified system.
Increased number of Indians employed by the EIC and increased scope of responsibilities of Indian officials.
Abolition of sati and thugge and suppressed female infanticide
Whig reforming ideas
The whigs were the more liberal progressive party
Led by earl grey, returned to power after 25 years of Tory rule.
Grey oversaw the great reform act 1832
Stood for reform toleration and free trade
Macaulay minute on Indian education
1835
Whig politician and historian
Appointed as the first law member of the governor generals council
His minute was formative in bentincks decision regarding the public finding of Indian education
What were the three private armies that the EIC established
MADRAS
BOMBAY
CALCUTTA
Army involvement / battle info on how EIC managed to first get diwani rights
1757, battle of plassey, Robert Clive led EIC army to victory. After the battle, he forces the ruler of Bengal to give the company the power to collect all taxes in what had been his territory.
The treaty of Allahabad was signed for the Diwani rights
What was the army mostly made up of
Sepoys
Rapid expansion of the armies
1720 - 3,000 troops
1763 - 18,000 troops
1796 - 102,000 troops
1830 - 200,000 troops
1850 - 250,000 troops
T&Cs of subsidiary alliances explained
For the protection of the Indian ruler, EIC troops would be stationed in their territory.
Indian ruler would pay costs of maintaining troops, and disbanding own army
Prince could not dismiss any British officials, or appoint any others, without EIC consent.
Many Indian prices used as a means of protection against other princes.
Explanation to the rapid expansion of British control
Greedy, ruthless, yet devastatingly effective commercial instincts of EIC.
growing economic impact of India to Britain
Growing political impact of Nabobs in Britain
shrewd policies of governor generals
Rapid and efficient expansion of EIC armies.
What is sati
An ancient Hindu custom that involves a women who performed the act of immolating herself after he husbands death, usually by joining him on his pye.
Sati banned
1829 , Bentinck banned in bengal
1830 banned in madras and Bombay
Petition sent to the British government appealing decision rejected in 1832
What is thugee
Organised gangs of robbers and murderers, would target travellers and rob them strange victims.
Why did the British care to ban thugee
Look good to Indians
Show control
Try and gather favour with the wealthy
Prove civilisation aims
EIC view on ban of sati and thuggeet
They believed that Indians should he left done to practice their religious beliefs
Who was William sleeman
Noted polyglot, acknowledged for authority in India
Believed in British superiority, but maintained sensitivity towards Indians
Best known for suppresssing thugee
Sleemans importance
As a Whig, horrified by sati and thuggee
Spearheaded bentincks efforts to stamp out both practices
1839 made commissioner for the suppression of thuggee and dacoity.
What is female infanticide
The practice of killing female infants due to social, cultural or economic reasons. Some viewed women as a burden.
Impact of suppression of sati, thuggee and female infanticide on the relationship between British and Indian people
Sati - felt as British were interfering with Indian tradition which they had no right to do
Thuggee - many frequent travellers welcomed British intervention
Female infanticide - many Indian social reformed and progressive groups supported British intervention
The charter act
1813
Renewed the charter issued to the EIC and continued the company’s rule in India
However, company’s global commercial monopoly was ended, except for the tea and opium trade and the trade with China.
Asserted the sovereignty of the crown over British India
Allowed Christian missionaries into India.
Changing British attitudes by 1830’s
Trade no longer primary concern for the EIC
British started to develop a sense of superiority
Agreed sati and thuggee was barbaric and intervention needed.
‘White mans burden’
Belief that British culture was highest form of civilisation
Believed Gods plan was for British to spread Christian message
Many Christian missionaries regarded Islamic writing as the writing of the devil.
Impact of Christian missionaries
London missionary society first established group
Focussed on education campaigns against sati
Had some success with Hindus
Earlier missionaries more respectable of Indians and concentrated on education
However, many saw as an attack on Indian traditions
Midgely John Jennings
Chaplain to the EIC from 1832.
Founder of the society for the propagation of the Gospels mission to Delhi
Killed in Delhi.
Long term causes of the revolt (loads)
EIC
Actions of governors
British legislation
Princely states
Attitudes towards Indian people
EIC army / Sepoy
Culture differences
Christian missionaries
Actions in bengal
Sleeman reforms.
Dalhousie
Dalhousie positive attitude in introducing western attitudes
Modern education system
Hindu remarriages act 1856
Banned female infanticide completely
Dalhousie positive due to expansion of control
Doctrine of lapse
Annexation or Awadh Feb 1856
By Feb 1856, 7 annexations.
Other good things Dalhousie did
abolished branding convicts
Introduced passenger trans to the railways.
Construction of irrigation works such as the 350 mile Ganges canal
Bad thine Dalhousie did
Denounced in Britain for being high handed
Aggravated military crisis by being overbearingly self confident
Enfield rifle controversy under his watch
Did not increase ratio of British to Indian soldiers during his time, leaving Britain vulnerable
Went to India to clear substantial personal debt
Bad Health when out there
The Enfield rifle
Short term cause of mutiny
Between 1847-57 the EIC decided to equip sepoys with new Enfield rifle.
The new rifle had a greasing of the cartridge before use. Had to be bitten off, it was greased in cow and pig fat
Insulted Hindu and Muslims.
Rumours circulated in January 1857 about the greasing
Mangal pandey
Mangal Pandey hanged April 1857 for attempting to incite fellow sepoys to rise up against British.
General service enlistment act
1856 - lord canning
Stipulated that all new recruited in the future would promise to cross the sea for military service. This would involve Hindu troops losing their caste.
Had to be undertaken for no extra lay.
Meerut
May 1857, 85 mutinous sepoys sentenced to 10 years hard labour.
Further humiliated by being shackled and paraded in leg irons before their comrades.
That night, other sepoy regiments rose in rebellion
Mutiny had begun.
Who was bahadur shah
The last mughal emperor aged 83, was proclaimed emperor of India by the rebels.
Rani of jhansi
Lost her land when her husband died without male heir under the doctrine of lapse Annexation
All British in Jhansi killed 1857
British forced retook jhansi under sir Hugh rose. Rani was injured and died in 1858
Nana sahib
Prince of Cawnpore
Denied pension and recognition under doctrine of lapse
‘Cawnpore massacre’
What was the Cawnpore massacre
Important garrison for EIC forces
Company army surrender to the forces of nana sahib
Sahib broke promises of a safe passage for survivors and had all men shot
The women moved to a safe space
As EIC forces approached he killed all 120 women and children.
The results of Cawnpore
Inflamed British feelings
In the early months of British recovers, few mutineers captured alive, thousands were indiscriminately hanged and many innocent civilian killed
When trials held against mutineers, they were blown away in a cannon where their body would be blown to pieces.
This is significant because it means that some wouldn’t go to heaven in their religion
This was called devils wind.
Internal divisions among rebels
Shah and sahib both claimed to be emperor
Sunni Shia split
Sikhs loyal to British
High caste Hindus did not support.
Siege of lucknow
Henry Lawrence, British Resident of Lucknow, fortified the British Residency anticipating unrest.
Resentment over British annexation of Awadh
Wider discontent among Indian soldiers (sepoys) in the Bengal Army over cultural and religious insensitivity.
Rebels surrounded British Residency, trapping around 1,700 soldiers and 3,000 civilian
Henry Lawrence was killed on 4th July 1857
First relief attempt by Sir Henry Havelock (September 1857) provided some reinforcements but failed to evacuate the British.
Second relief by Sir Colin Campbell (November 1857) successfully rescued survivors and relocated them to Cawnpore
Campbell launched an offensive with 30,000 troops, capturing the city in March 1858
What happened to the EIC after the rebellion
The EIC was abolished in favour of the direct rule by the British government.
The government of India act (post rebellion)
All EIC Powers transferred to British crown.
Meant for the first time India directly ruled by British government
Secretary of State for India had a seat in cabinet and headed the India office in LDN.
Beginning of British Raj.
Queen victorias proclamation
1st November 1858
Announced changes to government
Made all Indian people subject to the British empire
Promised to uphold rights of 560 princes
Ended doctrine of lapse
Removal of any further British intervention in Indian religious worship.
Reality of queen victorias proclamation
Doxtrine of lapse ended.
Treaties made between EIC and Indian princes not always upheld.
No further attempts for British reform
Many Indians still believed British rule was racist.
Military reforms following the revellion
Ratio of British to Indian soldiers increased
Indian soldiers issued with a rifle that was inferior to British
Recruitment of soldiers changed with Sikhs Punjabi Muslims etc recruited as soldiers replacing high caste Hindus.
Charles clemency canning
Succeeded Dalhousie.
Appointed first viceroy of India
Nicknamed ‘clemency’ by British press and army in negative way because he ensured there were no mass, indiscriminate excruciation of mutineers after 1585
Land reforms following rebellion
Following awadh no more land undertaken
The Bengal rent act gave property rights to tenant farmers and small landowners for the first time.
