South Asia (1300 AD - Present)
A. The Mughal Empire in India: Chapter 18, Section 3
B. Europeans Explore the East: Chapter 19, Section 1
C. British Imperialism in India: Chapter 27, Section 4
D. Nationalism in India and Southwest Asia: Chapter 30, Section 4
E. The Indian Subcontinent Achieves Freedom: Chapter 34, Section 1
Unit 2: Essential Questions
1. How did the Mughal Empire begin? What leader helped it grow and what were his government policies? What led to the decline of this empire?
For several centuries after the decline of the Gupta Empire, India consisted of many small kingdoms. One of the leaders of one of a small kingdom within India, Babur, managed to build up a strong army, defeat other kingdoms through his brilliant leadership and lay the foundation for the Mughal Empire. Babur's grandson, Akbar, continued to expand and rule the Mughal Empire in 1556 – 1605. He was a brilliant military and shrewd political leader who united an area of at least 100 million people – more than all the people in Europe!
To answer the essential question, explain how the empire began, briefly describe Akbar's military feats, and then describe his leadership of the conquered areas. Focus on the liberal nature of his rule, how he promoted blending of arts and culture (see pp. 522 -523), built an effective bureaucracy, and created a successful tax system. Don't forget to also include a brief explanation of his land politics and why these policies were not particularly successful.
Akbar was followed by three emperors who all left their mark on the Mughal Empire. Conclude the essential question by briefly describing how their rule affected the empire and the reasons why the empire eventually went into decline. You will find the information needed to answer this question in Chapter 18, Section 3, pp. 516 – 521.
For several centuries after the decline of the Gupta Empire, India consisted of many small kingdoms. One of the leaders of one of a small kingdom within India, Babur, managed to build up a strong army, defeat other kingdoms through his brilliant leadership and lay the foundation for the Mughal Empire. Babur's grandson, Akbar, continued to expand and rule the Mughal Empire in 1556 – 1605. He was a brilliant military and shrewd political leader who united an area of at least 100 million people – more than all the people in Europe!
To answer the essential question, explain how the empire began, briefly describe Akbar's military feats, and then describe his leadership of the conquered areas. Focus on the liberal nature of his rule, how he promoted blending of arts and culture (see pp. 522 -523), built an effective bureaucracy, and created a successful tax system. Don't forget to also include a brief explanation of his land politics and why these policies were not particularly successful.
Akbar was followed by three emperors who all left their mark on the Mughal Empire. Conclude the essential question by briefly describing how their rule affected the empire and the reasons why the empire eventually went into decline. You will find the information needed to answer this question in Chapter 18, Section 3, pp. 516 – 521.
2. How did improved technology and trade help motivate an increase in exploration?
Trade between Europe and Asia had been taking place for several centuries via trade routes across the land, e.g. the Silk Roads. However, the desire to grow rich and to spread Christianity, coupled with advancements in sailing technology contributed greatly to the age of European exploration in the 1400's. When answering this essential question you should firstly explain briefly why European countries wanted to find another route to Asia in order to obtain certain goods such as spices (pp. 529 – 530). Follow that up by describing the inventions in especially sailing technology (such as more sophisticated navigation instruments) that made the search for an alternative route to Asia around the southern point of Africa possible (pp. 530 – 531).
Trade between Europe and Asia had been taking place for several centuries via trade routes across the land, e.g. the Silk Roads. However, the desire to grow rich and to spread Christianity, coupled with advancements in sailing technology contributed greatly to the age of European exploration in the 1400's. When answering this essential question you should firstly explain briefly why European countries wanted to find another route to Asia in order to obtain certain goods such as spices (pp. 529 – 530). Follow that up by describing the inventions in especially sailing technology (such as more sophisticated navigation instruments) that made the search for an alternative route to Asia around the southern point of Africa possible (pp. 530 – 531).
3. What were the positive and negative effects of British Imperialism on Indian Society?
Britain valued their ownership of India, and it obviously brought enormous wealth to the British coffers and benefiting the British economy in many ways, so much so that India was often described as the Crown Jewel of the British Empire. However, what you need to do to answer the essential question is to describe how the takeover affected India and her people both positively and negatively. Read pp. 791 – 792, but also pay special attention to how the British rule also perpetuated (maintained) the caste system in India when you read the description of social classes on pp. 793. Would you consider this a positive or negative consequence of British Imperialism? Explain your ideas.
Britain valued their ownership of India, and it obviously brought enormous wealth to the British coffers and benefiting the British economy in many ways, so much so that India was often described as the Crown Jewel of the British Empire. However, what you need to do to answer the essential question is to describe how the takeover affected India and her people both positively and negatively. Read pp. 791 – 792, but also pay special attention to how the British rule also perpetuated (maintained) the caste system in India when you read the description of social classes on pp. 793. Would you consider this a positive or negative consequence of British Imperialism? Explain your ideas.
4. When and why did the British government take control of India as a colony? What are reasons why India was considered the Crown Jewel of the British Empire?
Britain had become interested in India in the early 1600's, and set up several trading posts there. Once the Mughal Empire went into decline, the British East Indian Company was therefore in an excellent position to take over the rule of this very valuable country. The British government did not get involved with this arrangement at first, even allowing the British East Indian Company to run their own army using Sepoys, or Indian soldiers. The British government benefited economically from this arrangement, so much so that they often referred to India as the Crown Jewel of the British Empire, i.e. their best source of riches and wealth. The British Indian Company especially exploited India to support the Industrial Revolution (described on pp. 791 – 792), but in addition to that they treated the Indians very poorly (p. 793). To add insult to injury, the British showed no consideration for Indian culture or religious beliefs, even trying to convert them to Christianity at times. Needless to say, this led to much discontent, and eventually a mutiny by the Sepoy soldiers (described on pp. 793 – 794) and consequently a turnabout in Britain's approach towards India in 1858 when they took over direct control of the country. To answer the question more specifically, you could begin by explaining why India was considered the Crown Jewel of the British Empire, and then continue with how the British treatment of the Indian eventually led to the Sepoy Mutiny, and the decision of Britain thereafter to take direct control of India and her riches.
Britain had become interested in India in the early 1600's, and set up several trading posts there. Once the Mughal Empire went into decline, the British East Indian Company was therefore in an excellent position to take over the rule of this very valuable country. The British government did not get involved with this arrangement at first, even allowing the British East Indian Company to run their own army using Sepoys, or Indian soldiers. The British government benefited economically from this arrangement, so much so that they often referred to India as the Crown Jewel of the British Empire, i.e. their best source of riches and wealth. The British Indian Company especially exploited India to support the Industrial Revolution (described on pp. 791 – 792), but in addition to that they treated the Indians very poorly (p. 793). To add insult to injury, the British showed no consideration for Indian culture or religious beliefs, even trying to convert them to Christianity at times. Needless to say, this led to much discontent, and eventually a mutiny by the Sepoy soldiers (described on pp. 793 – 794) and consequently a turnabout in Britain's approach towards India in 1858 when they took over direct control of the country. To answer the question more specifically, you could begin by explaining why India was considered the Crown Jewel of the British Empire, and then continue with how the British treatment of the Indian eventually led to the Sepoy Mutiny, and the decision of Britain thereafter to take direct control of India and her riches.
5. What were the ideas of India's main Nationalist groups? Why did they increase their activity after WWI?
Two groups in India shared their desire to rid India of foreign rule and become independent – the mainly Hindu Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Although there were philosophical, religious and other differences between these two groups, both had been subjected to British rule for many years and wanted a democracy for their country. Their activities were relatively low-key as Indians accepted British rule for the most part. However, this situation changed after WWI – find the reason for the change on p. 887, and then continue to describe the series of events that resulted in the growth of feelings of nationalism among the Indians, including a detailed explanation of the Rowlatts Acts and the Amritsar Massacre (pp. 887 – 888).
Two groups in India shared their desire to rid India of foreign rule and become independent – the mainly Hindu Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Although there were philosophical, religious and other differences between these two groups, both had been subjected to British rule for many years and wanted a democracy for their country. Their activities were relatively low-key as Indians accepted British rule for the most part. However, this situation changed after WWI – find the reason for the change on p. 887, and then continue to describe the series of events that resulted in the growth of feelings of nationalism among the Indians, including a detailed explanation of the Rowlatts Acts and the Amritsar Massacre (pp. 887 – 888).
6. Why did Gandhi believe non-violent protest would work? Explain two (2) examples of protests led by Gandhi.
The Amritsar Massacre set the stage for Mohandas Gandhi to emerge as the leader for the independence movement. Gandhi was a deeply religious person whose approach to political change was influenced by his knowledge and understanding of several world religions. He did not believe in violence, but instead, advocated a policy of civil disobedience, or what he referred to as soul force. (Read the section at the bottom of p. 888 where Gandhi explains his philosophical ideas of civil disobedience.) These actions of Gandhi and his followers frustrated the British government no end as the Indians were not guilty of any wrongdoing, yet they caused large scale disruption and economic losses with their actions. To complete this essential question, describe two of these activities, and explain how these activities turned out to be a major thorn in the flesh of the British. You will find the information you need to answer this question on pp. 888 -889. If you have the time, you should definitely also watch the film made of Gandhi's life with Ben Kingsley playing the lead – Gandhi.
The Amritsar Massacre set the stage for Mohandas Gandhi to emerge as the leader for the independence movement. Gandhi was a deeply religious person whose approach to political change was influenced by his knowledge and understanding of several world religions. He did not believe in violence, but instead, advocated a policy of civil disobedience, or what he referred to as soul force. (Read the section at the bottom of p. 888 where Gandhi explains his philosophical ideas of civil disobedience.) These actions of Gandhi and his followers frustrated the British government no end as the Indians were not guilty of any wrongdoing, yet they caused large scale disruption and economic losses with their actions. To complete this essential question, describe two of these activities, and explain how these activities turned out to be a major thorn in the flesh of the British. You will find the information you need to answer this question on pp. 888 -889. If you have the time, you should definitely also watch the film made of Gandhi's life with Ben Kingsley playing the lead – Gandhi.
7. What do you believe Great Britain could have done differently to make the partition of India smoother and less violent?
Gandhi and his followers eventually reaped the rewards of their civil disobedience campaign when Britain granted them limited power through the Government of India Act in 1935. However, this also fueled mounting tensions between the two main groups within India – the Hindus and the Muslims. Further tension also arose between Britain and India when Britain committed India’s armed forces to participation in the war effort without first consulting with the Indian leadership. When World War II ended, Britain was faced with enormous debts, and the British had to rethink the wisdom of governing distant colonies. However, once they decided to let India become independent, they faced another problem – who would rule India, the Hindus or the Muslims? Unfortunately Britain handled this process very, very poorly, resulting in widespread violence and death where more than a million Indians were killed. To answer the essential question, briefly describe what happened, and then express your own opinion on what Britain could have, and should have done differently to avoid large-scale bloodshed and violence. You can read about the events on pp. 998 – 999, but to actually answer the question, you will have to apply some critical thought processes when thinking about these events.
Gandhi and his followers eventually reaped the rewards of their civil disobedience campaign when Britain granted them limited power through the Government of India Act in 1935. However, this also fueled mounting tensions between the two main groups within India – the Hindus and the Muslims. Further tension also arose between Britain and India when Britain committed India’s armed forces to participation in the war effort without first consulting with the Indian leadership. When World War II ended, Britain was faced with enormous debts, and the British had to rethink the wisdom of governing distant colonies. However, once they decided to let India become independent, they faced another problem – who would rule India, the Hindus or the Muslims? Unfortunately Britain handled this process very, very poorly, resulting in widespread violence and death where more than a million Indians were killed. To answer the essential question, briefly describe what happened, and then express your own opinion on what Britain could have, and should have done differently to avoid large-scale bloodshed and violence. You can read about the events on pp. 998 – 999, but to actually answer the question, you will have to apply some critical thought processes when thinking about these events.