Prepare a time-line chart to show the establishment of British rule in India.
Answers
Date Event
1617 The British East India Company wins trading rights in the Mughal empire.
Hoping to make money trading with India, the British East India Company wins trading rights on the fringe of the Mughal empire in 1617. As the Mughal empire declines, the East India Company's influence in India grows steadily.
June 23, 1757 The East India Company takes political control in India.
On June 23, 1757, Robert Clive leads a British military force to victory at Plassey against the Nawab of Bengal. As a result, the East India Company takes political control over a large swath of India, despite its background as a trading company.
1773 Governor-General Warren Hastings consolidates control in India.
Warren Hastings becomes the first Governor-General of India in 1773, a position he holds until 1784. Hastings works quickly to consolidate the East India Company's control in India, removing power from the Nawab of Bengal and crippling the Mughal Empire. Hastings wages war and forms alliances to increase Britain's control. While he hopes to introduce Britain to Indian history and culture, his successors launch decades of "reforms" meant to westernize the subcontinent.
1822 Ram Mohun Roy sparks Indian nationalism.
The scholar Ram Mohun Roy, educated in both Western and Eastern classics, believes that India can learn from the West, but that there is room for a revitalization of Indian culture. In 1822 he sets up educational societies that help revive pride in Indian culture, and his influence on later leaders places him as the founder of Indian nationalism.
May 10, 1857 The Sepoy Rebellion breaks out in India.
The East India Company requires sepoys, or Indian soldiers serving the company, to bite off cartridges greased with animal fat to load their rifles. The animal fat is from cows, which are sacred to Hindus, or from pigs, which are forbidden to Muslims, and angry sepoys rise up in rebellion against their British officers. After brutal massacres on both sides, the British quell the rebellion, but an atmosphere of hatred and distrust remains.
August 2, 1858 Parliament puts India directly under control of the British crown.
After the Sepoy Rebellion, Parliament ends the rule of the East India Company and places India directly under control of the British crown. India is now governed by colonial rule, with British officials ruling in the name of the queen and holding top positions. Britain slows the reforms that so angered Hindus and Muslims, but continues to develop India for its own economic benefit.
November 17, 1869 The Suez Canal opens and greatly improves British trade.
On November 17, 1869, the Suez Canal opens, and British trade with India greatly increases. The system favors the British, who flood India with inexpensive, machine-made textiles. This destroys India's once-prosperous hand-weaving industry.
December 28, 1885 The Indian National Congress is organized.
Nationalist leaders organize the Indian National Congress in 1885, calling for greater democracy to empower professional Indians like themselves. Known as the Congress party, the group hopes to use peaceful protest to achieve its goals. Members support modernization on a western model, but their ultimate dream is to achieve Indian self-rule.
December 30, 1906 The Muslim League is organized.
"Timeline Event
1600 East India Company is established via the Royal Charter.
1613-14 First East India Company trading post is set up in Surat.
1615-18 Britain's granted right to trade in exchange for Navy protection by the Mughals.
1751 Victory of British in the Anglo-French War over control of South India leads to the British acquiring Arcot.
1764 British become the rulers of Bengal after defeating the Mughal emperor.
1773 East India Company acquires monopoly for production and trade of opium in Bengal.
1792 Defeat of Tippu Sultan.
1803 Defeat of Marathas in the Anglo-Maratha War and the capture of Delhi.
1843 Conquest of Sind region.
1857 Sepoy Mutiny occurs.
1876 Proclamation of Queen Victoria as the Empress of India.