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Jul 1, 1497
Vasco De Gama Sails to India
A Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama began exploring the East African Coast, and in the next year, he reached Calicut, India. There, he and his crew gilled up their ships with spices and other goods that gave them a huge profit. -
Establishment of the British East India Company
The company set up trading posts at Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta, and their control grew. At first, it was an independent company, but then Britain started to interfere and take control. -
Decline of the Mughal Empire
Small states led by Maharajahs wre breaking away from the Mughal Empire. The Mughals slowly lost their control and power because of their cruelty and unpopularity amongst the people. -
Industrial Revolution in Britain
The Industrial Revolution refers to a time when the output of machine-made goods greatly increased in England. Machines became more popular to do jobs that were previously done by hand. -
British Overcome French and take Control of India
The British, headed by Robert Clive, defeated the French at the Battle of Plassey. They became more and more powerful as they spread their area of trade and business. -
Sepoy Rebellion
The Sepoys refused to use the cartridges that were lined with beef and pork fat, because it was offensive towards their religion. The British, in turn, arrested those soldiers, and then a rebellion took place. This rebellion sprad over India because of the injustice of the British. It took the British a year to get control of the situation. It resulted in direct control from Britain. -
British Colonized India
Britian took direct control of India, a period of time called the British Raj. Queen Victoria became empress, and the British said that the states would still be free, but really, they were taking control. -
Creation of the Indian National Congress
Because there was so much segregation between British and Indians, nationalistic feelings came out in Indians. This led them to create teh INC, which at first looked out for Indians and their rights, but later called for self-government. It became India's national politcal party. -
Creation of Muslim League
Similar to the Indian National Congress(INC), the Muslim League fought for Muslims and their concerns. They felt that the INC only looked out for Hindus, and there was rivalry amongst the two groups. They refused to let any Hindu in. -
Amritsar Massacre
Because of the Rowlett Acts, around 10,000 Hindus and Muslims went to Amritsar to fast, pray, and listen to political speeches. The British openfired at the crowd, killing 400, and woudning 1,200. This caused many Indians to get angry at the British and change their loyalty. -
Rowlett Acts
Because nationalists were openly showing thier hatred towards the British, the British passed these acts that allowed the government to jail any protestors without trial for upto two years. It violated individual rights. -
Gandhi's Leadership of the INC
Gandhiji emerged as a leader after the Amritsar Massacre, and decided to battle injustice with his deeply religious and non-vioent approach. He attracted many followers and urged the INC to not cooperate with the British, which is called civil diobedience. -
Gandhi's Travels Stressing Nonviolent Resistance
Gandhiji called on Indians to boycott British goods such as cloth, and refuse pay British taxes. Gandhi also went on strikes and demonstrations to fight the British in a non-violent approach. -
The Salt March
Indians, according to some laws, could buy salt only from the government, so Gandhiji and his followers walked about 240 miles to the seacoast to make their own salt. They also went to close down salt factories, which led to violence,, which then won worldwide support for Gandhiji's movement. But, he was arrested along with others. -
WWII - Riots Between Hindus and Muslims
Muslims resisted attempts to include them in an Indian government dominated by Hindus. Riots broke out, and after four days of riots in Calcutta, 5,000 people were dead, and over 15,000 hurt. -
Partition
British officials divided India into seperate Hindu and Muslim nations to ensure a safe and secure region. The northwest and eastern region of India became West and East Pakistan, respectively. -
Indian/Pakistan Independence
The British House of Commons passed this act to grant India and Pakistan freedom. The people, government officials, princes, and everyone had to choose which nation they wanted to go to. -
Gandhiji's Death
A Hindu extremist, who thught Gandhiji was too protective of Muslims, shot and killed Gandhiji in Delhi, the capital of India. -
Government of India Act
This act provided local self-government and limited democratic elections, but not total independence. But, it provoked more tension between Muslims and Hindus.
