British in India Timeline

  • Arrival of the British East India Company

    In the seventeenth century, the first British ships arrived in India in Surat. By 1757, the company had gained control over much of India .
  • Treaty of Paris of 1763

    Granted British much of India's territory control, marking the beginning of their control in India.
  • Regulating Act of 1773

    Created the office of governor-general to exercise political powers over India.
  • India Act of 1784

    Required the governor-general to be chosen from outside the East India Company, and it had established parliamentary supervision over the company.
  • Expansion of Control

    British East India Company controlled territory occupied by 180 million Indians.
  • Steamships Competition

    The rising of the steamships made ocean travels from Europe to India more predictable.
  • Great Mutiny/Great Revolt of India

    The sepoys revolted in ways such as greasing rifle cartridges with animal fats, but they were eventually taken down by the native troops loyal to the British.
  • Britain's Rule over India

    India was ruled by the British Parliament in London and administered by a civil service in India.
  • Telegraph

    The establishment of the telegraph along the ocean floor had allowed telegrams to be sent from England to India - faster communication.
  • Opening of the Suez Canal

    The Suez Canal connected the Mediterranean and Red Seas, benefiting India with the reduced distances from England to India. Voyages by steamships now only took 3 weeks.
  • Empress of India

    Queen Victoria became the empress of India.