Indian Independence Quiz

What was the general process by which India became a British Colony in the 19th century?

After Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, the previous British East India Company lost control of India. Britain saw this as a failure of the company and passed the Government of India act in 1858 - making India an official colony and Queen Victoria Empress of India.

What were the causes and effects of the Indian Revolt of 1857?

Religion was a main cause for the revolt, as the British East India company ignored religious Hindu or Muslim customs (cartridges with animal fat). There was an Indian majority in the army, with only few British officers/generals, so Indians were able to unify and revolt.

What was the religious background in the Indian subcontinent leading up to the mid-19th century?

Mughal empire - Muslim leaders with Hindu population, although religions weren't suppressed.
Ottoman empire - Islamic but many other religions like Christianity, Jews, etc.
Safavid empire - Muslim leaders with Muslim population

Sikhism - Islam + Hindu

Sepoys

Indian soldiers in the British army

British East India Trading Company

British trading company with a monopoly on Indian trade. It acted as an agent of British Imperialism in India.

British Raj

1858-1947 British rule over India

Delhi

Capital of Mughal empire, later made Indian capital.

Jhansi

Indian city ruled by Rani Lakshmi Bai, who fought against British during the sepoy mutiny. Was eventually lost to the british

What methods were used by the British to maintain control over India after 1857?

-Divide and Rule methods were used by the British to maintain control over India. British used Caste system, class division, religious division, and division of land to divide Indians : such as Bengal Conflict in 1905
-British intimidated Indians with Durbars (extravagant shows of british power/culture)

How did nationalism rise in India during British rule?

British rule angered many Indians because they didn't have representation in government and felt disrespected by the christianity of Britain. The divisions made by Britain, especially Bengal conflict, caused nationalist sentiment.

What were some of the cultural influences of the British on the people and society in India during the 19th century?

Many Indians spoke english and studied in British Schools or abroad in England. Also, the Indian representatives in the Indian National Congress were very westernized. British made treaties with Indian Princes and elites, which caused the British culture to influence the higher class of India while the lower class was outcast.

Queen Victoria

Queen of Great Britain(1819-1901) and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901.

Government of India Act (1858)

Made India an official colony. Declared Queen Victoria Empress of India.

Viceroy

a governor who ruled as a representative of a monarch

Indentured labor

labor under contract to an employer for a fixed period of time in exchange for their transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities.

Poor indians became indentured servants in 19th century under the war and famine of British rule.

Cash crops

Indian cash crops were Opium, Indigo, Cotton, and Silk

Indian Civil Service

Indian officials who served the British Government. Made Indians think they had a little power, but these elites were very westernized.

Social Darwinism

The application of ideas about evolution and "survival of the fittest" to human societies - particularly as a justification for their imperialist expansion and racism

In what ways did the Bengal conflict of 1905 further a sense of Indian nationalism?

The partition of Bengal undermined the Hindu majority and took away their big territory, which caused more Indian nationalism. This resulted in boycotts of British goods.

What was the purpose of the Indian National Congress?

1885 - due to Indian nationalism, British made the Indian National Congress to give Indians more "power" in the government. These Indian officials (Indian Civil Service) were elites who didn't question British rule, which limited further growth of Indian nationalism.

How did the British respond to criticism stemming from the Bengal conflict?

Secretary of State for India - John Morely, created Morely-Minto Reforms in 1909, gave concessions to Indian nationalists with more government representation. This allowed Indians to further question colonial power.

Caste System

Hindu belief of reincarnation caused the Caste System - essentially class divides. From worst to greatest, Dalits, Sudra, Vaisyas, Kshatriyas, and Brahmins.

Bengal

Region of northeastern India. first part of India to be conquered by the British in the 18th century and remained the political and economic center of British India throughout the 19th century.

Indian Councils Act 1909

A part of Morely-Minto reforms, gave muslims their own electorate.

George Curzon

George Curzon was Viceroy of India (1899-1905)

Morely-Minto reforms

1909 - British gave political power to nationalists and protected Muslims in response to Bengali conflict criticism.