My essay will be split into three separate sections, each individually focusing on what I believe to be a main consequence of the 1857 revolt. The first section concerns itself with events after August 2nd 1858, when the Government of India Act was passed, taking authority from the East India Company and giving it to the British Crown[3]. The second will focus upon the ‘divide and rule’ tactic the British “adopted” [4] in order to better control the Indian population during colonial rule. The final segment will investigate the rise of nationalism which occurred post 1857[5]. Even though I am dealing with these consequences individually, I acknowledge links can be made between the three under the branch of one overarching consequence, and I shall attempt to address this within my conclusion.
Need an essay assistance?
Our professional writers are here to help you.
From Company Rule to British Raj
The Government of India act I previously mentioned, now gave the British government control over India, the twenty year charter the East India Company once had to renew to parliament was replaced by parliamentary scrutiny, which was direct to Indian affairs[6]. The 1857 revolt showed parliament, that the East India Company could no longer handle control of India, so instead they on the management. This was the beginning of imperial rule, which is a massive consequence for India. There is much historiography surrounding the exact time of imperial rule in India. Some historians argue that parliamentary control had been “creeping” since the India Act of 1784[7]. Other historians, such as Kulke, argue that the company had simply been a buffer, which Britain could use to shield itself from direct responsibility for controlling India[8]. But, Britain’s economic statues had improved, so they were now ready for the responsibility of imperial rule[9]. This could make control of India by Britain seem an inevitability, rather than a consequence of the 1857 revolt. However, I conquer with Stein, who states that the legal shift to Crown Rule in 1858 visibly confirmed, that Britain now ruled India[10].
Even once it has been established that imperial rule was a consequence of 1857, the import of this change can still be debated upon. There is some continuity between the style of rule under the Company and the Crown. For example the government still offered 5% (or 4.5%) to businesses interested in investment in India, like the Company had[11]. For India itself, it is argued any major change was already intimated under company era, for example the development of technical departments, and that there were surpris
Order this paper