preview

How British Imperialism Led to the Rebellion in India

Good Essays

Britain became the vast and mighty Empire upon which the sun never set through the development and use of what is, in modern terms, referred to as Imperialism. The British approach to the colonization of India came out of: the European, specifically British, superiority mindset; the practical approach of attaining resources in return for modernization and “guardianship”; and the solidification of Britain as the world’s dominating force. Britain’s use of Imperialism, as a necessity to maintain its Empire, acted as the catalyst of the Indian Rebellion. The colonization of India, through the use of British Imperial tactics, was justified by the perceived superiority of the English Empire. The British hold of India was achieved through the training of the Sepoys as a method of controlling the land and the resources held in it. During the initial rebellion 40,000 British troops were stationed to rule over the 200 million population of India, the Sepoy force, which was well trained and armed, is estimated to have been 270,000 (textbook reading, 13). The training of the indigenous population was the only viable method for the Empire to maintain its claim of the land. The British force maintained higher rank over the Sepoys, and would often go to drastic measures to maintain the Sepoy ranks in order. “... the 19th regiment... refused to receive the cartridges... and were prevented from open violence only by the presence of a superior English force. After great delay... the

Get Access