2. Why did the British colonize India and how did
it effect the people already living there?
• What is India like prior to the arrival of the Europeans?
• Why were the British interested in India?
• The British became interested in India for two (2) reasons:
1. Raw materials
2. Consumers (300 million population)
Originally India was operated by a corporation (The East India Company)
Later taken over by the British government
3. • How did the people of India react to the
• colonization?
• Indians benefited from colonial rule:
◦ Modern goods
◦ Modern transportation
◦ Education increases
◦ Health care increases
◦ Protection
• On the negative side:
◦ The British controlled the government / economy
◦ Indians were seen as “half” citizens
4. • Indians groups try to force out the British
• The Sepoy Rebellion (1857)
◦ Sepoy = an Indian soldier in the British army
• Offended by British military practices, Indian
soldiers
revolted
◦ Cause = seals on gun cartridges
• The rebellion was eventually put down
◦ Divisions between Hindu & Muslims
5. • How did the Indian independence movement
begin?
• The movement starts with the creation of
two (2) groups:
◦ Indian National Congress (1885)
◦ Muslim League (1905)
Both wished to see India become an
independent state
6. Negative Impact for India
• British held most of the political and economic power,
• Profitable industries such as cotton, salt, construction, tea, etc.
were firmly controlled by the British.
• conversion to cash crops reduced food production, causing
famines in the late 1800s,
• Loss of cultural practices and language,
• Divisions between “Anglicized” elites and traditional Indians,
• Humiliation of being “inferior” in one’s own home.
7. Positive Effects of Colonial Rule
• Railroads (the third-largest network in the world at the time) enabled
India to develop a modern economy and connected regions,
• A modern road network, telephone and telegraph lines, dams, bridges,
and irrigation canals were created,
• Sanitation and public health improved.
• Schools and colleges were founded, and literacy increased.
• British troops cleared central India of bandits
• End to local warfare among competing local rulers.
8. Colonial Indian Architecture
• The Dutch, Portuguese and the French made
their presence felt through their buildings but
it was the English who had a lasting impact on
architecture.
• In the beginning of the colonial rule there
were attempts at creating authority through
classical prototypes.
• http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-
architecture/colonial-architecture.html
9. Indo-Saracenic
• Combined the features of Hindu, Islamic and
western elements
• Exhibited itself through institutional, civic and
utilitarian buildings such as post
offices, railway stations, rest houses
and government buildings
• Also took inspiration from existing
architecture in India
10. • Norm for the Anglo-Indian church builders to
follow the model set by the revivers
• Imperialism was the sole guiding force rather
than practicality
• Heavier styles than Gothic were employed
12. • Italian Gothic was seen to be well adapted to
conditions in India
• Great public building campaign launched in
Bombay
• Sir Gilbert Scott's buildings were significant
products