India module 1: First World War and its impact on British India

east India Company

company that traded with with India and Tas Monopoly founded in 1600 and ruled India via private armies and company rule began in 1757

empire

colony

province

Large regional areas of land in India

princely state

States ran by Maharajahs under favourable treaties which helped Britain retain power with little effort

viceroy

Appointed by Secretary of state to be in charge of India. This role was based in India and lasted five years.

Secretary of state

Political ruler of India appointed by Prime Minister and leader of Viceroys. Reports to P M and governs India Council.

Indian civil service

Run India on behalf of the British government. Served viceroy and pyramid of power from Viceroy to town level.

All-India National Congress

Founded in 1885 by mostly high cast in Hindus that were well educated to form resolutions and demand things from the Raj such as more money spent on infrastructure.

Muslim league

Formed in 1906 for non members of the INC acted as voice for Muslim communities and opposed democracy. Created at the annual Muhammadan Educational Conference in Dhaka, initially with 3000 delegates

Home rule Leagues

Two nationalist organisations formed a 1917 that 60,000 joined within a year. They were run by Bal Tilak and Annie Bessant.

DOIA

Emergency criminal law enacted in nineteen fifteen to stop nationalist activities by granting executive powers such as restriction of speech

Lucknow pact (1916)

Deal signed by ML and INC with support from HRL 's for Indians to have input in government and pressured Great Britain.

GOIA

passed into law in December nineteen nineteen and instituted dyarchy

Dyarchy

Shared power at the provincial level 50/50

What was the East India Company

• trades with India and has monopoly

• Exploited natural resources, e.g. Precious metals

• Founded in 1600 and ruled after 1757- royal charter from Liz

• Ruled large areas of India via private armies

• Portugal, Spain, France and GB all after India

• Rule ended in 1858 with GOIA and crown assumed direct control

Reasons for Battle of Plassey

• 1756 uprising against East India Company at Fort William in Calcutta

• British captured and put in tiny jail

• many suffocated in heat and cramped conditions 123 out of 146 died in hours

• this infuriated Britain and became known as the black hole of Calcutta

• to defeat the Maharaja of Bengal and in and secure province for E I C

Outcome of the Battle of Plassey

• 23rd of June 1757

• Clive and Mirjafar, Nawab of Bengal defeated the Nawab Siraj ud Davlah

• secured Bengal under EIC and set foundation for two hundred years of British rule

• sir Robert Clive, leader of British Army

• Calcutta becomes India's capital city to Britain

Causes of the Indian mutiny

• 1853: Lee Enfield P - 53 rifled musket introduced and used in India from 1857

• needed to buy paper cartridge to apply musket ball but this was greased with beef and pork fat ; offended Hindus and Muslims as Hindus or cows as sacred and Muslims as they didn't eat pork

• Sepoys of both religions offended sparking mutiny

• it was a rebellion from British the British perspective but the first war over independence for India

What did Britain do after the mutiny to restore control?

• EIC replaced by new royal government of India the British Raj, after the government of India act 1858

• India Guardians of traditions to be under authoritarian British rule

• in 1877 Disraeli makes Queen Victoria Empress of India, linking monarchy to Empire and India closer to Britain - this was known as the Royal Titles Bill and Victoria became a symbol of the empire

• the EIC was blamed and disbanded as the government seized control and directly controlled by parliament

• treated with severe retribution as many were killed: six thousand British and over eight hundred thousand Indians were killed

Secretary of State for India

Political ruler of India appointed by Prime Minister and key cabinet position - important to the empire. Reports to Parliament and Prime Minister and governs India Council in UK and leader of Viceroys.

Viceroy

• Appointed by and reports to secretary of state and in charge of India

• real ruler of India as based in India and enrolled for five years

• served by India Civil Services Service some of which were wealthy educated Indians

• power goes from Viceroy to town level

• Worked from Delhi and advised by Council of India in London

• Answerable to Parliament

Role of Indian civil service

• served viceroy pyramid power from the Crown to town level

• Essentially running India on behalf of the British

• Ensured British laws were implemented

• Some Indians able to work for them after 1919 or as lawyers or soldiers

Why was it a bad idea to form the British Raj?

• Parliament in Britain meant it was difficult to and ascertain what was going on

• they saw an opportunity and ran with it, making the Raj fragile with little thought going into it

Why was it a good idea to form the British Raj?

• East India Company had bad reputation and the government had a better reputation, manipulating them via Democratic rule

• preferred to be part of Raj as it gave them an autonomy

• wealthy Indians could be educated in Britain, however they then discovered the negatives of the British Empire

Why was Queen Victoria's involvement important?

• Becomes figurehead of India

• links monarchy and Empire

• binds India close to Britain

Princely States

states ran by Maharajas under favourable treaties, which helped Britain to main control maintain control with little effort themselves, e.g. Kashmir. 35% of the country with 14million people

INC

• Founded in 1885 by primarily high cast Hindus that were starting to question British rule

• Could all speak English and most were educated in England and lawyers two two Muslims attended in 1885 by 1888 eighty three out of six 100 were Muslim: Inclusive, not exclusive

• Early resolutions framed around cooperation with the Raj but wanted some say in running the country some delegates favoured equal power share

INC’s first congress

• Met for two days proclaiming loyalty to British crown and Raj dissatisfaction in how Raj was governing India

• demands included: broadened basis of Gov, ICS open to Indians, opportunities to serve on government councils, wealth spent on infrastructure and the end of council in Whitehall

Muslim League

• Formed in 1906 by Muslims uncomfortable under the INC umbrella

• it was exclusive not inclusive voice for Muslim communities with minority political rights - wasn't problem if elites ruled for the people

• opposed democracy as change means few Muslims elected in government and voice wouldn't be heard in political decision making

• more politicised, so people realise differences between Hindus and Muslims

• Britain receptive to its appeal this ruined negotiations between Britain and I N C, leading to partition and creating creation of Pakistan

Hindu Caste system

Class system based on religion and culture, with little social mobility

Hindus proportion

• 70% and primarily in East India, central and southern states, with a religious divide in Hyderabad

How did the British Raj anger Hindus?

• Indian mute in a with gun grease with pork fat

• they got rid of traditional practises such as making sati illegal, undermining their spiritual beliefs

Differences between Islam and Hinduism

• Muslims are monothiests and believe in one God Allah and prophets such as Muhammad and Jesus

• more deeply religious

Where was the Muslim population more concentrated?

• West India, Bengal and divide in Hyderabad

How did the British Raj anger Muslims?

• Ended the partition of Bengal in 1911

• british victory in World War One deposed Sultan of Turkey and the leader of the Ottoman Empire, the spiritual leader of Islam at the time

GOIA (1858)

Creation of British Raj, closing EIC in reaction to Indian mutiny, meaning that meaning India was now run by the government

Partition of Bengal (1905)

• viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal to curb rise in nationalism

• separated primarily Muslim E from Hindu W

• Hindus outraged as it was another example of Raj adopting divided rule policies

• lots of discontent led to the reunition of Bengal by Viceroy Harding G ending partition in 1911

• led Muslim league to change its stance towards Britain

• in 1913 a new group of leaders in the Muslim league to bridge gulf between Muslims and Indians

Indian Councils Act (1909)

• Two parties: conservative Prime Imperial no say in government; liberal more receptive to INC demands

• Liberals won election in 1906 introducing measures to support working class

• proactive policy in response to INC demands

• series of reforms are agreed by Lord John Morley and Viceroy Lord Minto: Sixty Indian representatives elected to serve on viceroy's executive council; 27 from territorial constituencies and interest groups

• British officials still majority and provincial councils enlarged to create non-official majorities

• Morley appointed two Indians to his London group and Minter appointed Sinha, Advocate General of Bengal to his body of advisers

• separate electorates for Muslims and Hindus to allow minority Muslims to have avoids voice divide and rule.

How many Indian soldiers fought in World War one?

• 1.5 million with 60K fatalities

• Sikh soldiers deemed most loyal in both world wars one and two

• Gurkhas in World War Two from Tibet and China

• lots of Muslims and Hindus fought

Why was India important to Britain during the war?

1.5 million Britons Indians served British Empire with 60,000 fatalities. Natural Resources Exploited and food stores as part of the British War effort.

why did India maintain loyalty to the British Empire and supported it?

• Morley - Minto Act left nationalists quiet and start of independence

• British Empire could protect them if there were any threats

• lack of education meant it wasn't thought through

• soldiers signed up to do their bit

• promises of freedom and autonomy such as the Montagu declaration

Impact of war on India

• Rise in nationalism despite loyalty during WW1

• affected Indian economy significantly

• war effort meant many educated Indians believe they deserved a reward

• spanish flu consumed India due to or medical care killing ten to twenty million people

Why were some Indians discontent about their involvement in the war?

• Complicated and they believe they deserved a reward for loyalty such as Dominion's status

• not turning point in relations with Raj

• muslims and Hindus joined forces against Raj

• dethroning of the sultan of Turkey

• resources taken away so felt exploited

• fought in irrelevant war

Home rule Leagues

• Two nationalist organisations established in 1916

• One started by Bal Tilak, the leader of the INC who was released from prison in West India

• Other by famous Fabian activist Annie Besant

• they used newspapers rallies preachers and songs to spread nationalism

• 60,000 joined within a year

• banned from British provinces and students banned from meetings

• Besant locked up in 1917 by Raj authorities.

• Tilak’s had 32000 members

• Jinnah joined Besant’s in 1917

• Home rule focused on domestic affairs.

Bal Tilak

• Father of Indian unrest, as he was the awakener of India and therefore very radical

• Gandhi was somewhat inspired by him, although he used terrorist methods to spread nationalism

• one man’s revolutionary is another man's freedom fighter

• many arrests attempts to arrest him

Main signatories of the Lucknow pact

• Mohandas Gandhi who joined the INCin 1914 and became leader in 1920

• Mohammed Ali Jinnah member of INC who joined the Muslim league in 1913 and later became leader

• Bal Tilak, leader of INC in 1916

• unique collaboration between nationalists

Main terms of the Lucknow Pact

• Fix proportion of seats in Parliament

• extra seats in areas with a minority congress

• welcomed Muslim voices, uniting Hindus and Muslims in self government and role to play in policy

• 50% of seats for Muslims in the Puniab

How did the Lucknow put pressure on the British?

• Joined hands with Congress

• unification with one purpose and also home ruling, United Nationalist force

• already at war, with the Battle of the Somme

key message of the Montagu declaration

Compromise granting some form of self government in light of India's contribution to World War one. Montagu promised to visit India to consider ideas from representative bodies, with the desire for democracy as well as dismantling the Raj.

Indians’ interpretation of the declaration

• Achieved what they want internationally believe they will achieve dominion status

• not ready for independence if they give into India what happens to other British colonies

• form of appeasement

Timing of declararion

Around the I'm of the Battle of Passchendaele therefore appeased Indians at a time when many were being killed in the war presenting a form of appeasement

What were the Rowlatt Acts?

• March 1919

• Extension of DOIA only in provinces of Bengal Bombay and Punjab, isolating them as centres of revolutionary activity

• Recommended old wartime controls

• Stated Indians suspected revolutionary activity could be: imprisoned without trial, held indefinitely and convicted by court without jury, as well as no large government gatherings in public places

• investigated by Rowlatt, Scottish judge

Why did Britain incorporate the acts?

• Global recession and Spanish flu had killed 13 million

• Crop failure and famine exacerbated situation, causing riots and unrest

• Worried about unrest and civil disobedience in Punjab Bombay and Bengal

• caused more harm than good as it caused more riots than it suppressed

Response to Rowlatt acts?

• Leading Indians on Legislative Council such as Jinnah resigned

• Fierce opposition in Punjab, esp. Amritsar, loss of control

• Hartals from 30th March to 4th April 1919, Displaying solidarity

• The rest of two organisers caused riots and three Europeans killed

• british doctor Sherwood brutally beaten and saved from death by Hindus

• Many felt betrayed especially after the Montagu declaration

Amritsar

• Administrative capital of the Punjab, one of the provinces under the Rowlatt Acts

• holy city with extravagant Sikh and Hindu temples

• holy Festival when it took place on the 13th of April 1919

What happened in Amritsar 30.3.19-06.04.19

• Hartals took place showing Hindu-Muslim solidarity

• three Europeans killed

• Britain had lost control over Amritsar

Why did violence erupt in Amritsar?

• In breach of Rowlett acts as no large gatherings allowed

• Dyer saw that he should end this

• governor of Punjab O Dwyer believed rioting their part of coordinated uprising that may become mutiny so sent troops him

• Dyer ordered proclamations around Amritsar warning against meetings and creating curfew

• five to 20,000 gathered in Jallianwalla Bagh

• troops opened fire killing 379 and 1500 casualties

Response of the Governor of the Punjab

Send Dyer in with troops to and rioting and did not condemn his actions

aftermath

• Martial law passed to maintain control in Amritsar and many areas of Punjab

• Turned thousands of loyal Indians against the Raj- revealed true face of GB rule

• curfews, people arrested, travel restricted and further repression

Why was martial law declared quickly

• Amritsar likely to Trigger problems elsewhere and there were concerns about Indian reaction

• maintain control

Crawling Order

Forced any Indians who wanted to walk down where Sherwood had been beaten to crawl down on all fours

What was Dyer attempting to do with his actions?

• Punish Indians for their response to Amritsar

• deflect responsibility and tension by showing violent nature of Indians

• deal with situation

• set precedent that Indians cannot rebel

Findings of the Hunter Commission

• Flamed Dyer for not warning before opening fire and said he'd committed a grave error for firing so long

• desire to produce moral effect

• mistaken conception of duty and therefore not his responsibility

Main aspects of GOIA (1919)

• 1858: Created Raj due to I.Mutiny

• 1909: Indian Councils Gave power to Indians by allowing them in viceroys council and separate electorates to give muslims a voice

• 1915: DOIA Granted executive powers during wartime repression

• 1917: Montagu dec.

• 1919: Rowlatt acts extended D O I A in certain provinces - INC rejected Montagu Chelmsford reforms and boycotted first1919 elections

British control under Dyarchy

• 50%of affairs at prov. level

• foreign affairs

• police, law and order to maintain control

• taxes and collecting them as well as the national economy

• defence and armed forces as India could stage coup

Indian power under Dyarchy

Councillors elected by franchise who have a saying on how it's run. 50% of control at provincial level, including

• local affairs, such as education, agriculture and energy

• what provinces spend taxes

Positives of dyarchy

• Keep eye on Indian politicians

• gave Indians more of a say with a larger electorate

• no other colony and empire has dyarchy meaning preferential treatment

• at least they're getting something of it

• gave them autonomy even though they're not ready to run the country

Negatives of dyarchy

• Didn't get Dominion status

• feel betrayed fuelling nationalism and unrest

• British and viceroy still in power

Jinnah

• Bombay-based Barrister

• Worked towards rapprochement of INC and ML towards self-government

• Disliked separate electorates

• Led ML towards signing Lucknow Pact