New
New
Year 9
The British Empire in India
I can assess the extent to which British rule in India changed after the Indian Rebellion.
New
New
Year 9
The British Empire in India
I can assess the extent to which British rule in India changed after the Indian Rebellion.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- By the 1850s, most of the Indian subcontinent was under the control of the East India Company.
- The social, political and economic impacts of Company rule made the EIC unpopular in India.
- The 1857 Indian Rebellion threatened British rule in India.
- After the Indian Rebellion, India became a Crown Colony governed directly by the British Government.
- Taxes remained high in British India after 1858.
Keywords
Rebellion - during a rebellion, people challenge the authority and even fight against those who govern them
Sepoys - sepoys were Indian soldiers employed in European armies
Proclamation - a proclamation is an official announcement about something important
Common misconception
All parts of the British Empire were always governed directly by the British government.
In the first half of the 19th century, India was ruled by the British East India Company, not by the British Government.
Before completing Task C, pupils could complete a small table with columns headed 'India before 1857' and 'India after 1857'. Pupils should then recall social, economic and political aspects of how British India was governed at both points. This can help support comparisons needed for Task C.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Write the missing word. refers to the control of one country over another and the expansion of a country's empire by gaining new colonies.
Q2.
What did people claim 'never set' on the British Empire?
money
success
Q3.
Write the missing word. Some believers in Social Darwinism used measurements to falsely argue that European adaptations made them superior to other groups like Africans and Asians.
Q4.
Which statement is most accurate?
Most people living in the British Empire were Christians.
Only Christians lived in the British Empire.
Q5.
Who ruled over most of India before the British East India Company gained control?
Aztec Empire
Ottoman Empire
Q6.
Which statement is most accurate?
Britain only had colonies in Europe.
Britain only had colonies in Africa and Asia.
Britain only had colonies in Oceania and the Americas.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Write the missing word. A is an act which involves challenging and fighting against the rulers of a country.
Q2.
Who was responsible for governing India before 1858?
Church of England
British Government
Q3.
Why did the EIC increase taxes in some areas of India by 28%?
to pay for education and medical services for Indians
to punish Indians who challenged their power
Q4.
How much area was affected by the Indian Rebellion?
an area a quarter of the size of the UK
an area half the size of the UK
an area same size as the UK
an area four times the size of the UK
Q5.
Why did taxes remain high after India became a Crown Colony?
The British government spent highly on and medical services for Indians.
The British government believed Indians did not mind paying high taxes.
Q6.
Which statement is most accurate?
Similar respect was shown under Crown and Company rule towards Indian beliefs.
Less respect was shown towards Indian beliefs under Crown rule than EIC rule.
Additional material
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