Background Information
British economic interest in India began in the 1600s, when the British East India Company set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. At first, India’s ruling Mughal Dynasty kept European traders under control. By 1707, however, the Mughal Empire was collapsing. Dozens of small states, each headed by a ruler or maharajah, broke away from Mughal control. In 1757, Robert Clive led East India Company troops in a decisive victory over Indian forces allied with the French at the Battle of Plassey. From that time until 1858, the East India Company was the leading power in India.
India became increasingly valuable to the British after they established a railroad network there. Railroads transported raw products from the interior to the ports and manufactured goods back again. Most of the raw materials were agricultural products produced on plantations. Plantation crops included tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, and jute. The British shipped opium to China and exchanged it for tea, which they then sold in England.
India both benefited from and was harmed by British colonialism. On the negative side, the British held much of the political and economic power. The British restricted Indian-owned industries such as cotton textiles. The emphasis on cash crops resulted in a loss of self-sufficiency for many villagers. The conversion to cash crops reduced food production, causing famines in the late 1800s. The British officially adopted a hands-off policy regarding Indian religious and social customs. Even so, the increased presence of missionaries and the racist attitude of most British officials threatened traditional Indian life. On the positive side, the laying of the world’s third largest railroad network was a major British achievement. When completed, the railroads enabled India to develop a modern economy and brought unity to the connected regions. Along with the railroads, a modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges, and irrigation canals enabled India to modernize. Sanitation and public health improved. Schools and colleges were founded, and literacy increased.
Over time, Indians became discouraged and upset by their situations. Not only did Britain control most of the subcontinent, but the British also tried to convert Indians to Christianity, which they resented. The Indians rebelled in 1857, and eventually spread the rebellion throughout most of the country, but the British were able to put down the rebellion and continued to exercise its power. However, the rebellion, called the Sepoy Mutiny, had lasting effects on the colony.
Over time, Indians pushed for independence from Britain, a notable leader was Mahatma Ghandi. Finally, in 1947, India received independence from Britain.
India became increasingly valuable to the British after they established a railroad network there. Railroads transported raw products from the interior to the ports and manufactured goods back again. Most of the raw materials were agricultural products produced on plantations. Plantation crops included tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, and jute. The British shipped opium to China and exchanged it for tea, which they then sold in England.
India both benefited from and was harmed by British colonialism. On the negative side, the British held much of the political and economic power. The British restricted Indian-owned industries such as cotton textiles. The emphasis on cash crops resulted in a loss of self-sufficiency for many villagers. The conversion to cash crops reduced food production, causing famines in the late 1800s. The British officially adopted a hands-off policy regarding Indian religious and social customs. Even so, the increased presence of missionaries and the racist attitude of most British officials threatened traditional Indian life. On the positive side, the laying of the world’s third largest railroad network was a major British achievement. When completed, the railroads enabled India to develop a modern economy and brought unity to the connected regions. Along with the railroads, a modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges, and irrigation canals enabled India to modernize. Sanitation and public health improved. Schools and colleges were founded, and literacy increased.
Over time, Indians became discouraged and upset by their situations. Not only did Britain control most of the subcontinent, but the British also tried to convert Indians to Christianity, which they resented. The Indians rebelled in 1857, and eventually spread the rebellion throughout most of the country, but the British were able to put down the rebellion and continued to exercise its power. However, the rebellion, called the Sepoy Mutiny, had lasting effects on the colony.
Over time, Indians pushed for independence from Britain, a notable leader was Mahatma Ghandi. Finally, in 1947, India received independence from Britain.