The British Empire - 18th and 19th Centuries

Question 1

What is the name of the British trading company launched to trade with Asia

Answer 1

The East India Company

Question 2

What is the Caste System?

Answer 2

The Hindu structure of society ranging from the Untouchables (lowest class in society) to the upper class.

Question 3

What is a Sepoy?

Answer 3

A soldier in the Indian Army.

Question 4

What is a massacre?

Answer 4

To kill a group of people through bloody means

Question 5

What is a rebellion?

Answer 5

To rise up against the government or ruling power.

Question 6

What is the definition of “empire”?

Answer 6

A group of states or countries ruled over by another power (e.g. Britain)

Question 7

Who were the Mughals?

Answer 7

A family that ruled parts of India from the 1500s.

Question 8

What is a “nationalist”?

Answer 8

A person who wants independence for their country.

Question 9

What was the British Raj?

Answer 9

The British rule of India.

Question 10

What is a Viceroy?

Answer 10

The British leader of India

Question 11

What is a colony?

Answer 11

A country that is ruled by another power

Question 12

What is Dominion Status?

Answer 12

A form of independence that gives a colony the power to rule themselves whilst maintaining their relationship with the imperial power.

Question 13

What was the East India Company?

Answer 13

A British trading company that built relations with the Mughal Empire in India They functioned on behalf of the crown of England.

Question 14

What did the East India Company trade and who did they trade with?

Answer 14

They built relations with the Mughal Empire in India so Britain could trade spices, dyes, cotton and tea.

Question 15

What was the size of the East India Company’s army?

Answer 15

They had an army of 260,000 men by 1803.

Question 16

What was the Battle of Plassey?

Answer 16

Battle of Plassey, (23 June 1757). Victory for the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Plassey was the start of nearly two centuries of British rule in India.

Question 17

Who was in control of the British Army at the Battle of Plassey?

Answer 17

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Clive

Question 18

What year did the Indian Rebellion take place?

Answer 18

1857

Question 19

What happened in the Indian Rebellion?

Answer 19

An uprising against the rule of the East India Company in India. It was sparked by the Indian Army who didn’t think it was acceptable that cartridges were greased with animal fat. This went against the Hindu and Muslim religions.

Question 20

Who was Robert Clive and what did he do?

Answer 20

East India Company’s military commander-in-chief in India. Fought in the Battle of Plassey and secured control of Bengal for the British.

Question 21

Who was Lord Richard Wellesley and what did he do?

Answer 21

Governor General of India from 1798-1805. He wanted to increase British power and control on India by defeating the Mysores and the Marathas,
James

Question 22

Who was James Ramsay and what did he do?

Answer 22

East India Company’s governor –general 1848-56. He developed the idea the ‘doctrine of lapse’. This meant if an Indian ruler died with no male heir, their territory would go to the British.

Question 23

Who was General Dyer and what did he do?

Answer 23

General of the British Army in India. He had the nickname the ‘butcher of Amritsar’. He gave the order to the army to fire on innocent people who were having a meeting in a public space. He was stripped from his position but not court-martialled.