India 1914-20

Causes of Partition of Bengal

B was large, hard to control, in 1905, attempt to control, division along religious lines

Consequences of partition of Bengal

violent protests-from Hindus, eventual rejoining of Bengal

Indian National Congress 1885

originally a small discussion forum for high caste Hindus, membership increased,wanted self governance within RAJ 

All-Indian Muslim League 1906

established as political party protecting Muslim interests as a minority, steadily growing members, wanted to work with the Raj- to have a bigger role in governing India 

self determination

WW1 and allies fought to defend the rights of nations- and for self-determination- CONTRAST to Raj. Indians applied these values to their own situation

Viceroy

Britihs crown in India, working in Delh

Secretary of State

developed government policy towards India, advised by the council of India, both from London- sometimes innapropriate advice

Indian Civil Service

ensure British laws/rules were followed in India. was a hierarchy. very efficient. exams necessary to enter. leadership and overall intelligence prized. very hard for Indians to be accepted, they needed a British uni degree and to pass london exams. 1919 first exams held in India. these all became officials/officers in India

Princely states

areas in India not subject to the Raj, had treaties with Britain, could do what they wanted, but were under Britain’s ‘protection'- control

How many Indian Hindus?

70% of population - in 1914 over 300million

The Caste system

ideas of purity and pollution (dead bodies, animal waste), closer your work came to pollutants, lower in the caste system you were. bottom were the untouchables. system of interdependece - generational client relationships established. all social relationships predetermined by caste

Other religions in India

Muslims - 20% of India’s population, mostly in North - sometimes held influence, mostly were peasants.

Sikhs- highly localised minority, lived in Punjab

Christians - the far south- most were from the result of ealier missionary work

what trade did Britian use india as a marked to sell British goods

British manufactured goods used India as a market- initially for cotton, in the 20thC for iron, steel, engineering products - important for continuation of British staple industries