Dan Snow's History Hit 2. The British Empire: The Raj and Indian Independence
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Mar 27, 2024 Journalist and historian Shrabani Basu, author of 'Victoria & Abdul,' discusses the abuse of power by East India Company officials, transition to British Raj, Indian independence movement, and Partition of India in this insightful episode.
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East India Company's Cash Crop Impact
- The British East India Company prioritized cash crops like cotton, indigo, and opium over food cultivation.
- This shift severely impacted Indian farmers and exacerbated famines by reducing food production.
Brutal British Reprisals in Delhi
- At Delhi during the mutiny, British soldiers carried out brutal reprisals including hanging rebels and firing them from cannons.
- The last Mughal emperor was exiled, marking the tragic collapse of the Mughal dynasty.
1857 Mutiny's Religious Trigger
- The 1857 mutiny began with Indian soldiers protesting against rifle cartridges greased with cow and pig fat.
- It evolved into a widespread rebellion symbolizing the first war of Indian independence.