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Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese sailor exploring the east African coast. He set sail for goods like spices, gems and textiles that weren't avialable in Europe. His voyage had given Portugal a direct sea route to India.
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When the British East India Company (EIC) was established, Britian began setting up trading posts in big cities. The British gained huge profit and got whatever goods they wanted, like cotton, silk and tea.
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The Industrial Revolution in Britain increased machine produced goods making production more efficient. Crop rotation and other methods increased food supplies of crops and livestock. Living conditions also were positively affected.
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Emperor Aurangzeb had little knowledge about his empire and didn't manage it well, therefore it declined and eventually fell. European countries had already shown interest in India, so once the Mughal were gone, the gateway to India was open.
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After the Mughal Empire fell, France and Britain wasted no time getting to India. After victory at the Battle of Plassey over the allied French and Indians, the EIC became the leading force in India.
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The rumors that the Sepoys' guns were greased with pork and beef fat caused tention within Sepoys. Since cows are sacred to Hindus and pork is forbidden from Muslims, this contreversy stirred many Sepoys. In effect, a rebellion was born.
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In fear of more revolts, the British took full control over India as part of it's own empire. In result, the Indians were segregated and forced to grow cash crops, causing famines.
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In result of Nationalism, the Indian Nation Congress (INC) was formed working toward independence in India.
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The Muslim League was originally founded to protect Muslim interests. The league stated it wouldn't accept independece by the Hindu Congress Party.
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After the massacre at Amritsar, someone needed to take charge of the independence movement. Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi emerged as the leader battling injustice in peaceful ways. He encouraged others to not follow unjust laws.
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Unfluenced by hatred, and racism, the British created these acts. They enabled them to jail protestors without trail, Which also violated the Indians' individial rights.
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Protesting the Rowlatt Acts, 10,000 Indians gathered to the major city of Amritsar. They fasted, prayed, and listened to speeches, which alarmed the British. A general ordered to shoot without warning on the crowd, which killed 400 Indians and wounded much more.
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Gandhi traveled India spreading his ideas of all religions combined. He influenced millions of folowers around India. He even influenced the Indian National Congress to policy of peaceful noncooperation called civil disobedience.
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Gandhi organized the Salt March because of the law that the Indians could only buy expensive salt from the British ruled government. Soon after about 60,000 Indians including Gandhi were jailed.
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This act pushed India toward independence. It allowed local self government and limited elections. This act also caused tensions between the Hindus and Muslims because of concerns over the future of India.
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As British doubts about controlling India emerged, so did more tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Who should take India over? Roits all over India tried to answer this question. In August 1946, days of roits in Calcutta killed more than 5,000 people and hurt more than 15,000.
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The divison of India creating Musilm and Hindu parts was called partition. The northwest and eastern regions of India, where most Muslims lived would become Pakistan. Partition was thought to be the way to ensure and safe and secure religion.
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The British House of Commons passed an act that granted India and Pakistan independence. More than 500 independent native princes had to decide which nation they would join. Muslims and Hindus had to choose where they would all go.
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During his trip to Delhi to plead for fair treatment of Muslim refugees, Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu extremist. The Hindu man believed Gandhi was too protective of Muslims, and murdered him just for the reason of that.
