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India Before Europe
A Fatal Friendship, Part I
A Fatal Friendship, Part II
High Colonialism to Independence, Part I
High Colonialism to Independence, Part II
100
80.5% of Indians may follow the Hindu belief system, but 13.4% isn't a pitiful proportion, given India's population of 1.2 billion! This statistic offers India one of the largest concentration of these "submitters," third to Indonesia and Pakistan!
What is Islam?
100
This important event pitted Great Britain and the East India Company against the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies. Robert Clive and his ~600 men proved able to defend themselves against >65,000 natives. Pretty impressive.
What is the Battle of Plassey?
100
Fathers' Day just passed. This father-son duo were key figures in the Utilitarian movement. Sounds like a good idea. "The greatest happiness for the greatest number." Swell! But if you listen to what they're saying, you might disagree with these Euro-centric policies.
Who are James Mill and John Stuart Mill?
100
Most of us learned of the incident as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Some of us didn't pay attention. Shame on you. But we'll be regarding it by this term which is, you know, less Euro-centric. Hint: Five words.
What is India's First War of Independence?
100
Perhaps the most significant example of civil disobedience in 20th century world history. It was led by Mohandas Gandhi in response to the tax placed on one of nature's most basic resources. It took 241 miles from Ahmedabad, and resulted in his imprisonment.
What is the Salt March?
200
Planning a vacation? Why don't you try this South Asian country, located off the Malabar Coast? With a population of 394,000, it's a great choice for those who'd rather not spend a week meeting new people.
What are The Maldives?
200
We all know Mir Jafar as the defector who gained Clive and the East India Company that decisive victory at the Battle of Plassey. But it seems he lost favor with the EIC, when he refused to abdicate large territories to the Europeans. When it came down to it, this man was dubbed his replacement as de facto Nawab.
Who is Mir Kasim?
200
This relatively important figure founded the "great state" of Mysore. However, Wellesley never came to interact with him. Instead, his son, Tipu Sultan, ruled the realm.
Who is Haider Ali?
200
Hmm. Primary Sources were MY favorite thing in each of my history classes. A part of that packet I provided yesterday, this declaration was delivered the year following the Sepoy Mutiny. It would repeal the Dalhousie's policy of crown revocation and promise the lack of intervention in Indian religious systems.
What is Queen Victoria's Proclamation of 1858?
200
Most Indians participated in this conflict for self-determination. It would galvanize Indian nationalism and propel clamors for independence. Some might also note the significance of this period for Mohandas Gandhi's return to India from South Africa.
What is World War I (1914-1918)?
300
This Mughal emperor is renowned for his implementation of sulh-i-kul policy, which allowed all religions to flourish during his reign. But don't think he's a member of the Mon Calamari alien species; it's a trap!
Who is Akbar?
300
British interpretations of Indian history are rarely accurate. But many times, it makes it much more interesting. It is purported that, following the fall of Fort St. William, Siraj-ud-Daula mistreated approximately 150 British POWs so badly, many died of suffocation, heat exhaustion, and crushing. This incident sparked controversy and is the target of much revisionism today.
What is the Black Hole of Calcutta?
300
What is pre-19th century history without male primogeniture? Governor General Dalhousie developed this system, wherein the EIC took control of an Indian leader's territory if he failed to produce a son.
What is the Doctrine of Lapse?
300
Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan established this reproduction of Oxford and Cambridge at Aligarh.
What is the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College?
300
Pakistan would be founded by this charismatic, cosmopolitan, intriguing man later on. But for Section III, he is known for leading the Muslim League.
Who is Muhammad Ali Jinnah?
400
In 1616, this English diplomat managed to gain permissions for the East India Company to build a factory at Surat. But it's not that kind of factory, it's actually more of a warehouse.
Who is Sir Thomas Roe?
400
What is the age of colonialism without some Anglo-French rivalry? The EIC has gained much note by historians for its role in the facilitation of global trade and colonization. Anything the British do, the French must do better. (That is the song, right?) The French devised this organization as their version of the EIC. Initialisms are fine.
What is the Compagnie des Indes Orientales (CIO)?
400
I seem to remember handing you a primary source written by this Bengali Renaissance-er. He worked with the EIC, fluent in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and English. All this said, you might've been astonished to find out he was a Hindu?!
Who is Rammohun Roy?
400
India has played a pivotal role in British foreign policy. It has produced countless soldiers for Great Britain's military engagements, innumerable raw materials for "Her Majesty," and was simply the MOST IMPORTANT colony. Plus, they provided that one ingredient, which, as you know, tipped the scales in Sino-European trade. Get this right, and you make Jigs proud. Get this wrong, you must be Tina.
What is "the jewel in the Crown?"
400
Death is most painful, when it can be avoided. The maldistribution of food during the Second World War led to this unfortunate event of the 1940s. Accompanied by hyperinflation and the impossibility of finding food, India suffered the deaths of 3.5 million people in a span of two years.
What is the 1943-44 Famine of Bengal?
500
The Portuguese wanted a colony in this region of South Asia, but Shah Jahan obviously would not tolerate their presence. Attempts to colonize would be pursued by the Dutch, then the English. It must've been a popular source for raw materials and textiles!
What is Bengal?
500
This honorable general realized the end of the North American campaign of the American Revolutionary War after the Siege of Yorktown. APUSH students might remember him for this, but they should forget that and only know him for his role in establishing the "Permanent Settlement," a means of controlling the Bengal region without too much intervention.
Who is Lord Charles Cornwallis?
500
Anyone like jeans? This cash crop proved to be in high demand in the nineteenth century. Its rich blue hue offered clothing dye and the Blue Mutiny. Hint: It's the "I" in "ROYGBIV."
What is indigo?
500
Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian elected to Parliament in 1888. This 1901 book "exemplified the drain of wealth theory." Background info: the "drain of wealth" theory stipulates Indian surpluses would have been invested in India, not British, and its welfare. Indian interests were essentially disregarded. Thanks, Britain.
What is "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India?"
500
Contrary to much popular belief, Dalits, Harijans, and Untouchables are people, too. In fact, many are incredibly smart. This particular Dalit garnered a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He criticized Gandhi's approach to helping the Dalits and advocated a program that establishes villages that have the best infrastructure for helping this lowly caste.
Who is Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar?