South Asia In Transition

India Under British RuleMughal Empire ruled IndiaThe Portuguese built a trading empire in Asia until

the 1600s when the Dutch, English, and French broke into the Portuguese monopoly.

(Monopoly – Complete control over a market or a product)

The British set up the East India Company, which won rights to build trading posts at Madras, Bombay, and Calcutta. Very similar to their moves in ChinaTraded gold and silver for cotton, textiles, silk, and tea.

By the 1700’s-1760’s, Mughal Empire declines,British and French competing for political and

economic powerBritain wins.

East India Company Rule

East India Company, led British forces against the French and won control of state of the wealthy Bengal.

Appointed local rulers who favored the company’s interests.

British encouraged the rivalries of the Indian rulers which kept them from uniting. Forced rulers to sign treaties granting power to the company.

Had the right to collect taxes, set up a law code and court system, took over land, and in some areas ruled directly.

British RuleTo check the power of the East

India Company, Parliament passed laws regulating it.

1850s – Indians were upset over ritual suicides being outlawed, high taxes, and missionaries trying to convert them.

Sepoys – Indian troops who served in the British army.

Sepoy Rebellion – 1857. Rebellion broke out in Delhi and spread across India. Upset over rumors that rifles were greased with beef fat, and a new law that required them to fight for Britain in foreign lands.

Eventually the British put down uprising.

Those Brits still won’t leave . . .By 1858, India becomes a colony

Exiled emperor.Ruled directly through appointed officials who

reformed the law codes and controlled courts.1/3 was ruled by local rulers, they had to sign

treaties giving control of foreign and military affairs to the British.

Britain set up own civil service to rule country and created new class of British-educated Indians.

Still resentment and distrust between British and Indians.

Effects of British RuleImproved roads, modernized ports, built

railroads and telegraphs; all helped Britain control their colony.

New economic pattern, Britain discouraged Indian industries so that they could sell expensive manufactured goods (sound familiar?)

To pay for imports, Indians had to raise cash crops like tea, pepper, coffee, and cotton.

Less food grown = famineImproved health care and sanitary conditions led

to population growth.British educated Indian middle class emerged

Learned about liberty, freedom, government, and their own cultural traditions.

We India Nationalism is strongest among

British educated elite, from upper and middle classes.Some wanted to adopt western

waysOthers to modernize India and

reform British systemStill others favored return to Hindu

traditions. Indian National Congress (INC)

set up in 1885, called for gradual change and urged British to open more jobs to Indians in government.

Mohandas Gandhi takes over group in 1920s.

Freedom and PartitionGrowing unrest during WW I led British to

impose harsh laws limiting freedom of the press and other rights in 1919.

Amritsar Massacre - April 13, 191910,000 Indians gathered to protestBritish troops opened fire. 379 Indians were dead when the shooting

stopped, with 1,100 wounded. Turning point!

Deepened distrust of British and Indians called for complete separation from Britain.

Independence!WWII - India had no desire to fight in

Britain's struggle. Gandhi & Congress members

organized a non-cooperation movement with the British.

By end of war, Britain realized they could no longer keep India

1947 - India Independence ActEnded British rule, divided India into

two independent nations. Hindu dominated IndiaMuslim dominated Pakistan.

Partition led to violence between Muslims and HindusMuslims fled India for Pakistan, and

Hindus left for India; estimated 15 million people migrated.

Economic Development1947 - Economy poor and undeveloped. Set up a mixed economy, government

controlled some businesses. Farming the heart of the economy

Although poor soil and inefficient farming methods kept production low

Set up new irrigation systems, instituted land reforms, developed new seeds resulting in large harvests.

Village LifeChanged little, traditional clothing, farming

and handmade goods main jobs. Life rapidly changing with advancements in

technology, transportation, and health care.

Decline in infant mortalityCaste SystemOfficially outlawed, however still does exist

in places. Urbanization weakens caste distinctions, people freer to move up in society.

EducationSchooling is free and required for children up to

14More boys attend school than girls.Poor families need their children in the fields.

Family LifeMarriages still arranged, but people marry at a

later ageFamilies becoming more nuclear.Women can vote, own property, widows can

remarry, and some have achieved high positions in government.

PakistanInitially divided into East and West

Pakistan, divided by 1000 miles. West Pakistan

Bordered Middle East & dominated government.

East PakistanBordered Southeast Asia & flooded A

LOT1971 Civil War broke out, with East

Pakistan winningBecame Bangladesh.

Pakistan developed agriculture and reduced dependence on foreign aid.However population growing,

poverty high, long periods of military rule, affected by Islamic fundamentalists.

Bangladesh120 million people, densely populated. Fertile land and abundant water, but

natural disasters and huge population limited progress.

Population growing faster than food supplyLittle money for development

Few roads/bridges, trouble diversifying economy

Sri LankaCeylon changed to Sri Lanka 1972Exports tea, rubber, and coconuts. Ethnic tensions led to civil war, majority

Sinhalese Buddhists against minority Tamil Hindus. Tamils claimed discrimination and inequalityLaunched guerilla war lasting from 1983 to

2009. Long period of war and destruction, just

beginning to rebuild.