modern history

British Rule in India (01:27)

• Begins the discussion on British rule (1757-1947).

• 1757-1857: Period of Company Rule under the East India Company (EIC).

• 1857-1947: Period of British Crown Rule after the 1857 Revolt.

Formation of the East India Company (02:06)

• EIC was formed in 1599 in England.

• 1600: Received Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, allowing it to trade in India.

• First official branch in India opened in 1600.

Arrival of Captain William Hawkins in India (02:48)

• 1608: William Hawkins arrives in India representing EIC.

• At the time, Emperor Jahangir was ruling India.

• Hawkins visited Jahangir’s court in Ajmer, seeking trade permissions.

Jahangir’s Interest in Art & Test for Hawkins (03:28 - 04:43)

• Hawkins gifted a watch and a painting to Jahangir.

• Jahangir was not interested in the watch but found the painting fascinating.

• Jahangir tested Hawkins by replicating the painting and challenging him to identify the original.

• Hawkins correctly identified his painting, but Jahangir claimed his own version was better.

• Jahangir was known for his exceptional artistic skills and ability to detect even minor differences in paintings.

Company Rule in India (1757-1857)

• 1757: Battle of Plassey – British defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, marking the beginning of Company Rule.

• 1764: Battle of Buxar – British defeated Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.

• 1773: Regulating Act was introduced to control the East India Company’s administration.

• 1793: Permanent Settlement System introduced by Lord Cornwallis for land revenue collection.

• 1818: The British defeated Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, expanding their control.

Revolt of 1857 (End of Company Rule)

• Major reasons:

  • Political dissatisfaction due to Doctrine of Lapse (Lord Dalhousie).

  • Economic distress and exploitation of Indian resources.

  • Social and religious interference (e.g., banning Sati, introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges greased with cow/pig fat).

• Key leaders:

  • Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore).

  • Rani Lakshmibai (Jhansi).

  • Nana Saheb (Kanpur).

  • Bahadur Shah Zafar (Delhi).

• The revolt failed but led to the end of Company Rule.

British Crown Rule (1858-1947)

• 1858: Government of India Act – British Crown took direct control of India.

• 1877: Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India.

• 1905: Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon, leading to Swadeshi Movement.

• 1919: Rowlatt Act passed, causing nationwide protests.

• 1919: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre – British troops fired on peaceful protestors in Amritsar.

• 1935: Government of India Act laid the foundation for India’s federal structure.

• 1942: Quit India Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, demanding British withdrawal.

India’s Independence (1947)

• 1946: Cabinet Mission proposed India's federal government structure.

• August 15, 1947: India gained independence; Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister.

• Partition of India and Pakistan led to large-scale migration and communal violence.