British India

IndiaColonization occurs long before Africa, therefore

decolonization begins earlier

¾ Hindu¼ Muslim

From Trading Post to Colony• British East India Company had trading

rights during Mughal Empire• Mughal Empire collapsed in 1757, BEIC took

control with Sepoy force• Sepoy Mutiny (Great Rebellion) in 1857 -

warning to British government• Queen Victoria’s government took direct

control of the Raj in 1857

Sepoy Mutiny1857

British India

• Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power – indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)• Began to become a louder voice for self-rule• Indian National Congress established in 1885 began to

push the issue with surging Indian nationalism• New identity in some ways created by British presence

1st Indian National Congress 1885

Mohandas Gandhi• Indian middle class background• Appealed to Western-educated and the masses• Sollicitor trained in London• Head of National Indian Party from 1920• Non-violent protest based on civil

disobedience• Boycotts elections• Boycotts British products, schools, courts• Refuses to pay taxes• Organizes strikes• Organizes mass demonstrations• Supports Satyagraha or

truth force/soul force

Video: Gandhi’s Non-Violent Speech

British India• Upper class Indian bureaucracy given some local power –

indirect rule (but British made decisions and passed laws, not Indians)• Began to become a louder voice for self-rule• Indian National Congress Party• Formed in 1885 with British blessing• Forum through which views of educated Indians could be made

aware to the British government• Members become alarmed at growing racism of Brits to

Indians, realization of shared grievances, and growth of common Indian identity.

• New identity in some ways created by British presence

Gandhi and Salt March 1930protesting British monopoly of salt

Video: Gandhi and the Salt March scene

Steps to India’s Independence pre WWII• London signs the India Act 1935• Gives form of political autonomy

• 1942 Congress Party launches “Quit India” campaign• Leaders arrested• Massive violence erupts

On the Road to Independence• Postwar period, negotiations resume• UK accepts principle of independence• Wants guarantees that country will remain unified and minority

(Muslims) rights protected

• Bloodbath between Hindus and Muslims• 1946 Great Killing of Calcutta

Victory at Last but with a bitter taste

• British grant full independence 1947 with partition• Territory divided into 2 nations: India and Pakistan• Extreme violence between communities (300 – 500 thousand deaths, 10-15

million people migrate

• Gandhi assasinated by Hindu extremist in 1948

Great partition of India and Pakistan 1947

Jawharlal Nehru• 1929 becomes president of Congress Party• Fights for total Indian independence• Becomes Prime Minister of India until his death in

1964

Video: Partition of India 15’