Nearly Losing An Empire: The British In India

Question 1

Define companies

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

Colonies definition

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Protectorate definition

Answer 3

Territories where the local rulers could continue ruling domestically but they had ceded foreign and defence to the British.

Question 4

Why were the British interested in India

Answer 4

Following loss of American colonies, India became centrepiece for British.

Cotton, silk, opium.

Question 5

What was unique about the EIC

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What did the EIC trade In

Answer 6

Cotton and silk, spices, porcelain and tea.

Question 7

Relationship with Indian prices

Answer 7

The EIC made alliances with local Indian princes to increase its trade, at the expense of the French.

Question 8

EIC as a money maker

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Significance of the growing improve of trade with India and the far east

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Nabobs

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

The bengal famine

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What is Diwani

Answer 12

The right to collect taxes In bengal.

Question 13

The Hindu caste system

Answer 13

Around 3000 years old.

System divides Hindus into rigid hierarchical groups

Dictates Hindus lives

Question 14

British attitudes to culture beliefs and customs

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Examples of changing British attitudes towards Indians

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

The regulating act

Answer 16

1773, created the office with the title of governor- general

Question 17

1833 government of India act

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

William bentincks reforms

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Whig reforming ideas

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Macaulay minute on Indian education

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What were the three private armies that the EIC established

Answer 21

MADRAS

BOMBAY

CALCUTTA

Question 22

Army involvement / battle info on how EIC managed to first get diwani rights

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What was the army mostly made up of

Answer 23

Sepoys

Question 24

Rapid expansion of the armies

Answer 24

1720 - 3,000 troops

1763 - 18,000 troops

1796 - 102,000 troops

1830 - 200,000 troops

1850 - 250,000 troops

Question 25

T&Cs of subsidiary alliances explained

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Explanation to the rapid expansion of British control

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

What is sati

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Sati banned

Answer 28

1829 , Bentinck banned in bengal 1830 banned in madras and Bombay Petition sent to the British government appealing decision rejected in 1832

Question 29

What is thugee

Answer 29

Organised gangs of robbers and murderers, would target travellers and rob them strange victims.

Question 30

Why did the British care to ban thugee

Answer 30

Look good to Indians Show control Try and gather favour with the wealthy Prove civilisation aims

Question 31

EIC view on ban of sati and thuggeet

Answer 31

They believed that Indians should he left done to practice their religious beliefs

Question 32

Who was William sleeman

Answer 32

Noted polyglot, acknowledged for authority in India Believed in British superiority, but maintained sensitivity towards Indians Best known for suppresssing thugee

Question 33

Sleemans importance

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

What is female infanticide

Answer 34

The practice of killing female infants due to social, cultural or economic reasons. Some viewed women as a burden.

Question 35

Impact of suppression of sati, thuggee and female infanticide on the relationship between British and Indian people

Answer 35

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

Question 37

The charter act

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Changing British attitudes by 1830’s

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

‘White mans burden’

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

Impact of Christian missionaries

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Midgely John Jennings

Answer 41

Chaplain to the EIC from 1832. Founder of the society for the propagation of the Gospels mission to Delhi Killed in Delhi.

Question 42

Long term causes of the revolt (loads)

Answer 42

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

Question 43

Dalhousie positive attitude in introducing western attitudes

Answer 43

Modern education system Hindu remarriages act 1856 Banned female infanticide completely

Question 44

Dalhousie positive due to expansion of control

Answer 44

Doctrine of lapse Annexation or Awadh Feb 1856 By Feb 1856, 7 annexations.

Question 45

Other good things Dalhousie did

Answer 45

abolished branding convicts Introduced passenger trans to the railways. Construction of irrigation works such as the 350 mile Ganges canal

Question 46

Bad thine Dalhousie did

Answer 46

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

Question 47

The Enfield rifle

Answer 47

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

Question 48

Mangal pandey

Answer 48

Mangal Pandey hanged April 1857 for attempting to incite fellow sepoys to rise up against British.

Question 49

General service enlistment act

Answer 49

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.

Question 50

Meerut

Answer 50

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.

Question 51

Who was bahadur shah

Answer 51

The last mughal emperor aged 83, was proclaimed emperor of India by the rebels.

Question 52

Rani of jhansi

Answer 52

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

Question 53

Nana sahib

Answer 53

Prince of Cawnpore Denied pension and recognition under doctrine of lapse ‘Cawnpore massacre’

Question 54

What was the Cawnpore massacre

Answer 54

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.

Question 55

The results of Cawnpore

Answer 55

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.

Question 56

Internal divisions among rebels

Answer 56

Shah and sahib both claimed to be emperor Sunni Shia split Sikhs loyal to British High caste Hindus did not support.

Question 57

Siege of lucknow

Answer 57

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

Question 58

What happened to the EIC after the rebellion

Answer 58

The EIC was abolished in favour of the direct rule by the British government.

Question 59

The government of India act (post rebellion)

Answer 59

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.

Question 60

Queen victorias proclamation

Answer 60

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.

Question 61

Reality of queen victorias proclamation

Answer 61

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.

Question 62

Military reforms following the revellion

Answer 62

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.

Question 63

Charles clemency canning

Answer 63

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

Question 65

Land reforms following rebellion

Answer 65

Following awadh no more land undertaken The Bengal rent act gave property rights to tenant farmers and small landowners for the first time.