British India: Difference between revisions
Created page with "'''British India''' refers to the areas of the Indian subcontinent that were directly ruled by the British Crown between 1858 and 1947. This period began after the dissolution of the East India Company following the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and continued until Indian independence in 1947.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/place/British-India</ref> == History == After the 1857 revolt, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858, which ende..." Â |
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Latest revision as of 08:22, 26 June 2025
British India refers to the areas of the Indian subcontinent that were directly ruled by the British Crown between 1858 and 1947. This period began after the dissolution of the East India Company following the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and continued until Indian independence in 1947.[1]
History
After the 1857 revolt, the British Parliament passed the Government of India Act 1858, which ended the East India Company's control and placed India directly under the British monarch. This led to the establishment of the British Raj, with a Viceroy representing the Crown.[2]
Administrative Divisions
British India was divided into:
- Provinces of British India – ruled directly by British officials.
- Princely States – over 500 semi-autonomous regions ruled by Indian princes under British suzerainty.
Capital
The capital of British India was initially Calcutta until it was shifted to New Delhi in 1911.
Economy and Impact
British rule significantly altered India's economic structure:
- Heavy export of raw materials (cotton, jute, tea).
- Introduction of railways, telegraph, and western education.
- Famines and exploitation were also a harsh part of colonial policies.[3]
Freedom Movement
The struggle for Indian independence grew during this time with key events like:
- Formation of Indian National Congress (1885)
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
- Salt March (1930)
- Quit India Movement (1942)[4]
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel played key roles in ending colonial rule.
End of British India
British rule ended with the passage of the Indian Independence Act 1947, which led to the creation of:
- India
- Pakistan
Later, Bangladesh (1971) and Myanmar (from British Burma) also emerged from parts of British India.
Legacy
British India left a mixed legacy:
- Infrastructure and legal systems
- Partition-related trauma
- Continued influence on political and educational systems