British Imperialism In India During The Age Of Exploration

Freedom always comes at a cost. The Age of Exploration began centuries of imperialist reigns over countries rich with raw materials. Great Britain’s reign over India lasted from the seventeenth century to 1947. Riddled in monopolized economics, the East India Company sank its teeth into India like a dog to a bone. As their influence in the subcontinent grew, other countries such as France wanted hegemonic power over the country. The British would secure their victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 thus forming a monopoly over India. However, Britain didn’t want to be associated with a less ethnic society. The great majority of those who went to India did so for a limited period during which they were employed by the state or its surrogate. Britain wanted to extend
Sepoys (Indian infantrymen) were no longer allowed artillery; instead it would only go to British units. Commanding officers were expected to increase punishments on sepoys as well. The Indian Police Act of India 1861 which would give police units in India the right to raid homes in search of weapons to be collected. The British wanted to disarm all natives in fear of a bigger revolt. The British were also suspicious of the Muslim population in India. The Mughal Empire was quickly dismantled from all its power in India. Ethnic and religious sectors began taking over part of the subcontinent, causing further Hindu-Muslim tensions. The British government wasn’t keeping an eye on the natives because British colonists were becoming more and more weary of the natives. To ease tensions, Queen Victoria declared that local affairs and native traditions would be overseen by a “Viceroy.” However, this didn’t prevent Christian missionaries from attempting to “cleanse” the native