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East India Company Rule
Robert Clive an administrator of the East India Company helped the British defeat the French and won control of Bengal. He then appointed local rulers in various places including Bengal who supported the East Indian Company. Indian rulers were forced by the Company to sign treaties granting it more power. They gained lots of wealth and took over more land. Setting up a court system and law code helped protect the Company's interests. -
The Sepoy Rebellion
The British introduce the Enfield rifle that used cartridges greased with pork and beef fat. They believed that this was an insult to their religion so they rebelled. This rebellion led to lots of bloodshed on both sides and not just for the soldiers. -
Mohandas Ghandi
Ghandi believed British rule unfair and unjust so he led several acts of non-violent resistence. This non-violent resistence was met with disdain by the Bitish leading to several arrests and beat ups. He soon found followers however by stressing the rich heritage of India. His followers called him Mahatma or Great Soul. -
Formation of the Indian National Congress
Many members were city dweller Hindus. The Congress urged the British to open up more government jobs to the original inhabitants, Indians, and called for gradual change. After the World War though their stand was more forceful. Ghandi led the Congress Movement in 1920 and created support for home rule. The British being under pressure promised them self-rule later and gave a little more power to the local government. -
Formation of the Muslim League
The Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah was created because they were worried about Hindu nationalism. Ditrust and Tension kept the two apart. -
Salt March
One of Ghandi's most successful acts was the Salt March. The 200 mile Salt March was a non-violent protest against not being allowed to make salt from the sea. They disobeyed the law and made salt from the sea. All 50,000 Indians and Ghandi were arrested. After the March the British began to wonder if India was worth it. -
Quit India Campaign
The Quit India Movement had three stages. First they hit British police officers with their cudgels during a street riot. The second stage consisted of British military students stopping peasant revolts. Finally the two groups had a general mood of hatred until the British backed out. -
Hindu-Muslim Conflict
Divisions between the Muslim Legue and Hindu Congress Party began growing. The Muslims feared that since they were a minoriy their rights would be ignored. The Muslim leader, Muhammad Ali, wanted a seperate nation. -
Indian Independence
The British passed the Indian Independence Act which ended British rule in India. It also divided the subcontinent into two contries, Pakistan and India. Mass violence also led to a mass migration throughout the subcontinent. All the Hindus moved to India and the Hindus Pakistan. -
Ghandi Assasinated
Ghandi was sickened by all the violence and refused to celebrate their independence. A fellow Hindu extremist believing him to be a traitor assasinated him during prayer.The assasain and his conspirator was hanged.
