MAKING THE BRITISH RAJ:
India in the 18th & 19th Centuries
DECLINE OF THE MUGHALS
 Mughals in decline by early 18th C
o

 Want independence from
 European interest & power in India growing
o Competing powers –
o Why were Europeans originally interested in India before
1750 CE?
 Joint-stock companies active along coast
o Ex.

RISE OF THE BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY
 BEICo officials acted in self-interest
o
o
 Support princes in wars against

 BEICo defeated France in India during
o
 As a result, BEICo’s land-holdings grew
BRITISH INTEREST IN INDIA AFTER 1750
 Why would the British be interested in India AFTER 1750?
o
o
 What goods did India provide for industrialized Britain?
o
o
o
o
 Indians forced to produce for the BEICo
o
o
THE SEPOY MUTINY
 By 1850s, British government still not directly involved in
ruling India
 Sepoy Mutiny, 1857
o Rebellion against BEICo sparked by culture conflict

 Bullet cartridges waxed w/
 Sepoys to tear paper off with their teeth
 Hindu & Muslim sepoys refuse: Why?
 Sparked festering sense of rebellion



sent forces to contain trouble
o Rebellion put down w/ferocity 
o
THE BRITISH RAJ: 1858-1947
 British Raj (“
”) established,
o
o
 Britain creates centralized colonial control
o
 Civil service exams in

 Indian princes kept thrones as
 British control domestic & foreign policy
o
 Ex.
o
 Investment in infrastructure
o
 Social & Political Reforms
o
o
o
 Study in Britain (ex
)