Researching Imperialism

Researching Imperialism

For 101 years the British East India Company ruled over India. Also known as the B.E.I.C., the company was established to enforce trade between India and Britain and had and army of Indian soldiers called Sepoys to “maintain control during their trading operations” . Along with enforcing trade the B.E.I.C. slowly gained control over India and many Indians began to resent British rule . The Indians, either devout Hindus or Muslims thought that Britain would try to convert them to Christianity. Along with that Britain had gained two-thirds of India’s land and their imperialistic efforts affected Indian life with technology such as the telegraph and railways which aroused Indian suspicion , missionary efforts and land ownership . Sepoys in the British army got little respect and were considered inferior to British soldiers. They were given a lower salary than British soldiers of the same rank and were only able to move a few ranks higher to Subedar. As a result of the British takeover and racism “there was an incredible amount of tension that only needed a small spark to set off a huge revolt” .

The Sepoy Mutiny, also known as the Revolt of 1857, eventually broke out over the greased cartridges of the new Enfield rifles in 1857. In order to load the guns, the cartridges had to be bitten off. Rumor broke out that they were greased with pork and beef grease. This was a problem because the Sepoys were both Muslim and Hindu. Muslims don’t eat pork and Hindus consider cows to be god and therefore don’t eat beef . The soldiers in the Meerut Cantonment refused to use the new ammunition and were sentenced to ten years of imprisonment by Britain. Several were hanged. Soon there was a rebellion, Sepoys killed their British officers and broke open the prisons. The Meerut Mutiny was the start of the Revolt of 1857. The next day the Sepoys marched to Delhi, the capital of India, and together