Topic 1 - Road to Independence Flashcards
1
Q
what was the EIC and why were they sent to India?
A
- privateers and traders not part of government at this point
- sent in 1600 on December 31st by a royal charter from Queen Victoria
- told to set up foundations in India, huge costal trading posts, establish LT term trade links
- India is a gateway to Asia with transport links to Chin and Singapore, key location - Britain’s vessel of getting materials
- India could be an ally for war
2
Q
when did the EIC get power and why was it eventually dissolved
A
- got power in 1757 ensuing the battle of Plassey
- lasted until 1858
- the British Gov was concerned about the power of the EIC and mindful of the problems involved in subduing the Indian Mutiny of 1857
- passed the government of India act which transferred all EIC powers to the British Crown
- formed the new British Raj
- Indians like the Gov of India Act because they didn’t like the EIC - had more respect for the British Raj
3
Q
what was the black hole of Calcutta
A
- 1756 an uprising took place at Fort William in Calcutta
- British captured put into a tiny jail where they suffocated in the heat/cramped conditions
- 123/146 died within hours
- Britain furious
4
Q
what was the battle of Plassey
A
- 23rd June 1757
- Robert Clive with the assistance of MirJafar, Nawab of Bengal, defeated the Nawab, Siraj Ud Daulah, and secured Bengal under the control of the EIC
- set foundation for 200 years of British rule
- Britain win, Clive declares himself governor of Bengal
- Britain were furious about the black hole of Calcutta incident
- EIC now not just traders but in power
- send a message
- half of Bengal fight for India
5
Q
what was the Indian Mutiny
A
- 1857
- after 4 and 1/2 months British relief arrived
- one commander alone killed 6000 Indians
- Taj Mahal made for empress of India, Queen Vic
- 3000 Britain v 8000 Indians
caused by
- disrespect
- exploitations
- Enfield rifle Indians forced to use when fighting for Britain greased with pig and cow fat against Hindu and Muslim beliefs
- bluff called/ pretence of rule shattered
- led to British leaders been viceroy of India and EIC being dissolved under Government of India act
6
Q
when did Queen Vic become empress of India
A
1877
- further link Britain and monarchy with India
- symbol of the empire
- title had faced opposition from liberals who feared the tile was synonymous with absolutism
- durbars (celebrations) held in India to celebrate Queen Vic and symbolised conservatism in the new regime
7
Q
what were the three government institutions to ensure structure to India’s government
A
- viceroy
- secretary and state
- council of India
- decided by political appointment
8
Q
what was wrong with the council of India
A
- based in London
- 15 men none of whom were Indian
- had some experience living and working in India but it was often alarmingly out of date and occasionally dangerously inappropriate
9
Q
what was the Indian Civil Service
A
- ensured British laws and rules implemented in India
- hierarchal in structure - power from crown to local
- efficient and model administrators
- had to pass exam in Britain then spend time in India to get on it - needed British Uni time so virtually impossible for Indians to get on it
- had to deal with a number of tasks
- 1919 exams could also be taken in India
- Indians helped administer Raj in other ways like lawyers and policemen but were always answerable to British officer
10
Q
discuss the viceroy role
A
- six years in post and only four in India
- commanded a standing army of 250,000 men only 35,000 British
11
Q
what were the Princley states
A
- not directly subject to the British Raj
- in theory the rulers had complete authority - in practice they had treaties with Britain which kept them loyal to the Raj and prevented complete authority
- their loyalty was important as nationalism grew
12
Q
when was the first meeting of the INC
A
- 1885
- were mainly high caste elite educated Hindu lawyers who spoke English
- only 2 muslims
- not a political group at first
- their initial goal isn’t to get rid of Britain, want to work with the Raj for power sharing
- said they represent all
- met every year until FWW and became a powerful voice for Indian Nationalism
13
Q
what happened at the first congress
A
- met for three days
- congress proclaim loyalty to the British crown and the Raj but express dissatisfaction in how India was ruled
- agreed on what they wanted:
- government in India to be broader
- Indian Civil Service to be opened to Indians
- Indian’s wealth to be spent on infrastructure not just military
- end of S.O.S council in Whitehall
- Britain favoured coast want share of power
14
Q
when was the Muslim league formed and why
A
- 1906
- they felt uncomfortable and underrepresented in the INC umbrella
- wanted to be the voice for Muslim communities which had minority political rights
- so long as the ruling elites rules for the people not by the people the Muslim minority not a problem
- Muslims therefore opposed an extension of democracy (one man one vote) as it would mean few Muslims elected into Gov
- not necessary if INC truly did represent all
- Britain was receptive to the appeal of the ML but INC was not - Britain like this as divide and rule - both parties have to agree to force changes from Britain - dichotomy plagued all negotiations between India and Britain ultimately leading to partition
- Britain ( especially conservatives) favoured Muslims
15
Q
what is the alternative name for the Indian Councils Act
A
Morley Minto Act
16
Q
when and what was the Indian Councils Act
A
1909
- nationalism grew louder, differences between Hindus and Muslims more apparent, though both groups begin to put pressure on Britain
- reflective of problems as Indians moved to have more say in their country’s affairs
- outcome of a series of reforms agreed by S.O.S Lord John Morley and the Viceroy Lord Minto
17
Q
what are the specifics of the Indian Councils Act of 1909
A
- 60 Indian reps elected to be on Viceroy’s Council - 27 of which from territorial constituencies and special interest groups - British officials remained in the majority
- Provincial council enlarged as to create non-official majorities - but their vote was not worth the same as the governor - illusion of power - but first experience of power- training wheels
- separate electorates provided for Muslims and Hindus to ensure minority of Muslims got a voice in the various councils - 20% of seats reserved for Muslims
- Morley appointed 2 Indians to his London group and Minto made similar move - first time India involved on daily - but Britain choose so deliberately chose quite westernised yesmen not national Indian activists
18
Q
when and why did Viceroy Curzon partition Bengal
A
July 1805 in an attempt to curb growing nationalism - separated Muslim East from mainly Hindu West
19
Q
why did Curzon’s partition of Bengal have to be annulled
A
- It was mainly Muslim country and so when Britain partitioned it they gave most of it to Muslims
- Hindus outraged - saw it as example of Raj adopting divide and rule policies
- explosion of discontent
- partition annulled on 12th December 1911
20
Q
what did annulment of the partition of Bengal lead to
A
- the Muslim league changing its stance on Britain - Britain had favoured Muslims with the partition and now they were revoking that
21
Q
what do historians now see the Indian Councils Act of 1909 as
A
a milestone on the path towards colonial self government - it was Indians first say in government even if small and mainly illusionary
22
Q
what did the FWW directly lead to in India
A
- rising Indian nationalism
- friction between nationalists and the British Raj
- complicated the political situation
- Indian soldiers fought side by side with British soldiers with strengthened their self-esteem
- it led to a strong feeling that India deserved some reward for her loyalty to the Raj in the form of Dominion Status
- Indians thought the war would be a turning point for Indian-Raj relations, it wasn’t
- Muslims and Hindus joined forces against the Raj as a result
23
Q
around the time of the FWW how were Indians influenced by Woodrow Wilson
A
influenced by his championing of self-determination
24
Q
what is the term of why India where so important to Britain and why where they so important
A
jewel in the crown
- costly to run but outweighed by the economic benefits India brought
- provider of raw materials/market for British goods
- Suez canal opened in 1869 which reduced travelling time and cost of transporting food between India and Britain
- end of 19th century made India subordinate to the needs of the Lancashire cotton industry
25
Q
discuss the Lancashire cotton industry situation
A
- 1879 all import duties on Lancashire cotton cloth removed allowing it to flood the Indian market at a time when the Indian cotton industry desperately needed support and famine stalked the land
26
Q
Home rule leagues
A
1916
- 2 nationalist organisations
- aim of campaigning for home rule of India
- one by Bal Tilak, one by Annie Besant
- 60,000 people after 1 year
- bal Tilaks grew quicker gaining 32,000 only focused in Two regions of a India tho
- besants slower but across all of country
- mutually supportive of each other toured together giving lectures and pamphlets - successful in generating agitations amongst the public in a way Congress had never really tried
- formed mid war - Britain worried people would stop supporting the war effort and they wouldn’t have an army
