History
The Discovery of the Route to the East
Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese sailor who wanted to find a trade route from Europe to the East. He set off on July 8th, 1497. On November 22, he rounded off the south tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope. He finally reached India on May 20, 1498. The route became used for trading.
The British East India CompanyOn the last day of the year 1600, a group of 25 people was given permission from the British queen to establish trade in India. They established settlements in Bombay (present-day Mumbai), Calcutta, Madras, and Surrat. The cities became sources of cotton, silk, and tea. They started to build factories, and had 23 factories by 1674. The Company continued to take over the sub-continent.
|
French East India CompanyIn 1604, the French king established the first trading company in India. They established a capital in south India, and founded trading posts. They collected silk and other things.
|
Fight for Control!
Between 1756 and 1763, the two companies fought for control of India. The war was included the Seven Years' War. Eventually, the British won and the French backed out.
Great Rebellion of 1857
In 1857, a rebellion was born. It started out with a small Bengal soldiers. They named the Mughal emperor their leader of the rebellion. Other soldiers in northern India started to join. Soon enough, the amount of Indian soldiers vs the British soldiers were 10 to 1. They murdered people, killed people, etc. The East India Company eventually controlled the situation. After the rebellion, control of India was given to the British. This was the beginning of the end for British rule.
The Break Up/ The End
Soon enough, the Indians were at it again. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led the protests, claiming that they should be non-violent. Although this "policy" by him was mostly followed, some violence did show up. The most famous thing he did was to lead the Indians down to the sea, and made their own salt, which was illegal. Some other boycotts were also held. In August 1947, the Indian Independence Act was signed. On midnight August 14th, 1947, the British finally withdrew their control.
What You Should be Aware of
If you are going to go to India sometime, you would definitely notice the British influence. Perhaps the largest thing was the Chennai Railway Station in, well, Chennai. It was originally a trading post for the Company. It is the most important station in South India.
As you know, the British road and car system has the driver on the right front seat and the car on the left side of the road. This is present in India.
Map
References
"Charter granted to the East India Company". This Day in History. History.com. May 1, 2012.
"Vasco da Gama: Explorer". Zoom Explorers. Enchanted Learning. April 29, 2012.
Elde, Maria. "The Sepoy Rebellion of India". Webchron. September 12, 2003. April 30, 2012.
Zuiderveen, Josh. "Colonial India, Gandhi, and Eventual Indepence." May 1. April 28, 2012.
Birkey, Betsy Jayne. "India's Independence from Britain". WebChron. September 10, 2003. May 2, 2012.
Marshall, Peter. "British India and the 'Great Rebellion'". BBC. February 17, 2011. May 3, 2012.
"India 1900 to 1947". History Learning Site. April 27, 2012.
"Vasco da Gama: Explorer". Zoom Explorers. Enchanted Learning. April 29, 2012.
Elde, Maria. "The Sepoy Rebellion of India". Webchron. September 12, 2003. April 30, 2012.
Zuiderveen, Josh. "Colonial India, Gandhi, and Eventual Indepence." May 1. April 28, 2012.
Birkey, Betsy Jayne. "India's Independence from Britain". WebChron. September 10, 2003. May 2, 2012.
Marshall, Peter. "British India and the 'Great Rebellion'". BBC. February 17, 2011. May 3, 2012.
"India 1900 to 1947". History Learning Site. April 27, 2012.