Snapshot 1900: living in the Raj (2) Flashcards
What was the caste system?
The Hindu hierarchy, you were born into your position and couldn’t rise any higher or lower than that class.
How did the caste system work in society?
All interdependent on each other, each caste did a certain aspect of work, i.e. landowner needed blacksmith to make ploughs and blacksmith needed a landowner for employment.
What % of the population were Hindu in 1900?
70%
What % of the population were Muslim in 1900?
20% - making it the largest minority
What was India considered to be regarding Britain in 1900?
The jewel of the British Empire - which was now the largest and most powerful empire in the world.
What was the importance of trade?
India provided raw materials and a market for British goods. During 19th century India became the largest overseas market for British goods and trade was stimulated by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, drastically reducing journey times. The maintenance of this route became a key point in British foreign policy.
How were tariffs used to help the British economy?
In 1879, Viceroy Lytton removed import duties on Lancashire cotton, allowing it to flood the Indian market - despite the cotton industry desperately needing support and famine being rife. In 1882 tariffs on all British goods were reduced from 3.5% to nothing.
How did investment help the British economy?
British ‘victory’ in Indian mutiny and consequential power transfer from EIC to British Crown convinced previously nervous investors any further rebellion would be controlled and contained. By the start of 20th century, India received 1/10 of British overseas investment - about £250 million. By 1910, this had risen to £365 million.
What was the manpower commitment?
India provided employment for British, young men went out to work in ICS and other civilian enterprises -education, medicine and engineering, As well as salaries, almost all expatriate government employees returned to Britain in their retirement, receiving pensions paid for by India - one of the main ‘home charges’ on Indian revenue. The biggest manpower commitment was made to Indian army, ensuring a secure presence in Asia.
