The means by Britain ruled India. The British set up structures to try and govern the vast territory with a viceroy at the top and approximately 20,000 civil servants.
Who ruled before the British Raj?
India was governed by the East India Company, which was given a monopoly of all English trade to Asia by royal grant. Following the Indian rebellion of 1857, which lasted for 18 months, the British government – which had already began to curtail the power of the company – took control in 1858.
Human resources
The British Empire used the human resources of India to the full, with the British Indian army being used by the Raj to put down any potential rebellions. This force also played an important role in both World Wars and other conflicts.
Ruling provinces
Not all of India was controlled by the Raj, with two fifths of the country independently governed by principalities. The British Raj ruled eight major provinces, and by the end of their rule there were over 500 nominally independent princely states.
Divide and conquer
Indian society was deeply divided among religion and castes. The British added to these divisions within Indian society by encouraging those of a higher class to be educated at British schools and then serve in the British army or as civil servants, and thus effectively be part of the mechanics of ruling their fellow countrymen.
Self rule
Protests against British rule came in different forms, from violent to non-violent actions. Gandhi advocated peaceful protests and became a figurehead of the movement with his speeches and marches, but he was far from the only leader of a movement that had many factions.
Natural resources
India brought huge benefits, with exports from the country estimated to be worth over £135 million by 1910. In 1901 the viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, said, “As long as we rule India, we are the greatest power in the world. If we lose it we shall straightaway drop to a third-rate power.”
End of an era
With a growing number of Indian citizens demanding independence, the movement gained momentum and the election of Labour – who had traditionally supported self rule – in the UK was a turning point. On 14-15 August 1947, the Indian Independence Act put an end to British rule.
Key figures
Babu Kunwar Singh 1777-1858
A key figure in the Indian ‘rebellion’ of 1857, the 80-year old secured victories before being dying from battle wounds.
Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948
The British-educated barrister was one of the main thorns in the Raj’s side.
Clement Atlee 1883-1967
An exponent of Indian independence, this accelerated when he became Prime Minister in 1945.
Lord Mountbatten 1900-1979
Appointed the last ever Viceroy of India, he was charged with overseeing the transition of British India to independence.
Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1964
Leader of the Indian National Congress at the time of the partition of India and the first ever Indian prime minister.
Major events
Indian rebellion - 1857
A major Indian revolt against the British Indian Company lasted for 18 months and saw atrocities committed by both sides.
2 December - 1885
The Indian national congress is founded. It initially lacked power, but became highly influential.
Salt march - 1930
Gandhi’s march of 240 miles against the British salt monopoly led to the arrest of 60,000 people.
WWII - 1939
The Viceroy of India declared that the country had entered WWII without any Indian consultation. Members of The Indian national congress resigned in protest.
Independence - 1947
The Indian Independence Act was invoked and the era of British rule ended.