Sepoy Rebellion
Sepoy Rebellion
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Reading Summary:
Mutiny of 1857
British Rule of India
s
The LONG Road to Independence
The British Raj
• Raj- Hindu word for rule or sovereignty
• British take over after Sepoy Rebellion
– Turning point in Indian History
– British rule 1858-1947
Colonial Government
• Established a British leader known as the Viceroy
• Attempted to impose British culture on India
• Educated a class of Indians in:
– “taste, opinions, morals and intellect.”
British View on Imperialism
“It is pretty much with colonies as with children; we protect
And nourish them in infancy; we direct them in youth, and
Leave them to their own guidance in manhood; and the best
conduct to be observed is to part with them on a friendly terms”
-A British Journalist 1829
Two parties formed
• 1885-
Indian National Congress
– Also known as Congress Party formed
• 1906-
Muslim League
– founded to protect Muslim interests
• They eventually work together to fight for Independence
World War I
• Until WW I Indians had little interest in nationalism
• Over 1 million Indians enlisted in British Army
– 1914-18
• They were promised reforms that would lead to
independence
Rowlatt Act
• After WWI British ignored promises of independence
– Indians began to protest
• 1919 British passed the Rowlatt act
– Allowed British to jail protesters for up to 2-years
– Denied of trial by jury
Amritsar Massacre (1919)
• 10,000 Hindus and Muslims peacefully protest Rowlatt Act
• British commander opened fire without warning.
– 400 Indians killed, 1,200 injured
Mughal Dynasty 1526-1712
East India Company 1600-1858
Sepoy Rebellion
Road to
Independence
1857
British Rule (Raj) 1857-1947
Indian National Congress (1885)
Muslim League (1906)
1914-19 World War I
Rowlatt Act & Amritsar Massacre
Reading
• From Reform to Independence