British India

 The relationship between Britain and India started in 1600, when Queen Elizabeth signed the East India Trading Company into existence. At this time, Britain was mainly  interested in India for the potential for highly profitable trade for goods such as spices. As such, the East India Trading Company (EITC) was responsible for maintaining British ports and encouraging trade. However, they grew in influence over the years in India. British influence became supreme in India in 1757 when Robert Clive with an army of British and sepoy, or native Indians trained in European styles of fighting,  defeated the Bengali army at the Battle of Plassey. The Bengal, along with the French whose interest in India was also stopped, was the last challenger to British control.

British India

Despite being basically the ruler of India, Britain ruled through the EITC, who in turn many times ruled through Indian princes. At this time, the East India Trading Company had also gained a governor, whose controlled how Britain treated the Indians. Some were respectful of native customs and tried learning about their culture, while others believed strongly in the superiority of the British over the Indians. Tensions in India increased as Christian missionaries became more prevalent in India, clashing with local religions, and  as industrialization challenged the traditional ways of life for the Indians.

Allegorical Representation of 1857 Revolution

Finally, in the Sepoy Mutiny or the Great Revolution  in 1857, there was a release of anger towards the British government. Ostensibly started because of sepoys thinking they had to bit into cartridges that were coated in fat from animals abhorrent to their religions, the Revolution turned into a violent attack on British people living in India. In response to this, the English suppressed the revolt with sepoys who had not mutinied and put India under the Crown Rule of Queen Victoria. England still sometimes ruled through local princes, but the power of native rulers in India decreased greatly.

Queen Victoria (now) of India

India would continue its struggle for independence from Britain into the 20th century. Many of the Indian elite saw Britain as a "knife of sugar." While Britain had helped industrialize India and had improved human rights issues, such as education of both genders and the abolition of suttee, they recognized that Britain was extracting materials from India and preventing India from developing its own industrial economy to the fullest. Many of the elites from India were unhappy with the institutionalized racism and the prohibition of Indians from achieving high up government jobs.

As the European countries would begin to trend toward decolonization and an acknowledgment of nationalism, India would strive for its independence. However, problems caused by the incredible diversity in India would cause problems.



Also, here is the powerpoint Alison and I presented:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1anysPPqxAmwLXTimEBo9mgt31FkFxZFN13AHNRPIZJs/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000