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British India
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After nearly a century of British rule, the spirit of revolt was growing, specially among
the feudal chiefs and their followers. Even amongst the masses, discontent and an intense
anti-British feeling was wide spread. In March 1857, the Indian army at Barrackpore
mutinied and this spread rapidly and assumed the character of a popular rebellion and a
war of Indian independence.
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End of the East India Company rule in India.
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The Crown takes over Administration in India.
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Revolt paved the way for the rise of the modern national
movement.
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The Revolt of 1857 severely
jolted the British administration in India and forced its reorganisation. By the act of
1858, the governing power was transferred from the |
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East India company to the British
crown. This power was to be exercised by the Secretary of State for India (member of the
British cabinet and responsible to Parliament) aided by an Indian Council, which had only
advisory powers. For administrative purpose India was divided into three presidencies,
namely, Madras, Bengal, and the Bombay Presidency. |
The interests of
the British thus became paramount in the governance of India. The policies and interests
of the British in India were determined by the industrialists, the most powerful section
in British society. Indian resources were also utilised to serve the interests of the
British empire in other parts of the world and in costly wars. |
During the inter-war period
of 1914 - 39, it was in the production of consumer goods for mass market within India,
mainly due to war tariffs and depression. Finally the last decade of British rule from
1939-47, brought another phase - the production of capital goods for the domestic market. |
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