Independence in India

1. Independence in India

2. Colonization in India • After the Seven Years War(1756-1763) India was part of the British Empire. • Indirect Rule- British East India Company runs Indian colony until 1857 • Main Goal was to profit from trade of Indian cotton cloth, silk and sugar • Sepoy Mutiny- British take over direct control of India • Nationalism begins to take hold in India and many people begin calling for independence from British rule

3. Indian Hatred of British Rule • Most Indians did not like being under British colonial rule for a few reasons: • They were treated badly by the British • British tended to have the best jobs • British received the best education • Indian craftsmen were not allowed to run traditional businesses because they would compete with British businesses

4. For Example… • All Indian cotton was shipped to Britain to be made in cloth • Cloth making was a traditional job in India • Finished products would be shipped back to India to be sold to Indian colonists • All profit would go to British cloth making companies • Many Indians were poor and suffering from restrictions on businesses in the colony

5. Groups Call for Independence • There was two main groups calling for independence in India: • The Indian National Congress(1885) • Made up Hindu Indians • The Muslim League(1906) • Made up Muslim Indians • As the groups became better organized their calls for independence grew stronger

6. Amristar Massacre • April 13, 1919-10,000 unarmed Indian protestors were illegally protesting British rule in India in the city of Amristar • British troops under the command of General Reginald E.H. Dyer opened fire on the unarmed protestors • 400 protestors were killed and 1200 were wounded • The incident united all Indian citizens calling for complete independence from British rule.

7. Mohandas Gandhi • Urged Indians to refuse to follow any British laws they felt were unfair • Civil Disobedience- non-violent refusal to obey British laws in India • Boycott British made goods • Refuse to attend 2nd class schools • Refuse to pay unfair taxes • Civil disobedience began to hurt the British economy in the colony

8. The Salt March • Salt production had long been monopolized by the British in India • Laws prohibited the Indian population from producing and selling salt independently • They were forced to buy heavily taxed and imported salt from the British • March 1930- Gandhi begins long march to Arabian Sea Coast • April 6- Gandhi and his followers reach the shore and begin picking up handfuls of salt • Gandhi and many of his followers arrested but others continued breaking the law

9. Road to Independence • September- December 1931- Gandhi in London to discuss possible independence of India • 1935- Regions of India allowed to self-govern • 1939- As WWII breaks out the Indian population is divided • Indian National Congress wants to remain neutral • Muslim League supports the British • August 1947- India granted independence from British rule

10. A Nation Divided • As power is being handed over disputes begin to break out between Indian Hindus and Indian Muslims over how the country would be organized • British colonial leaders decide to divide the country between the Hindus and Muslims • India(largest region) • West Pakistan • East Pakistan • Millions were forced to leave their home and move to where the government ordered them to be

11. The Final Outcome