The British in India

In the 19th century, Britain had an Empire that was bigger than any other in
history, Britain controlled about 25% of all the land in the world because its
colonies included some of the largest countries (like Australia, Canada and India).
Britain's occupation of India began in the 17 century.
The East India Company, a group of British traders, controlled all the trade
between Britain and India at that time.
People from the East India Company moved to India with their families and built
communities there.
Some Indian people were angry with these British people and didn't want them
there.
The British were making money from Indian products (tea, cotton and silk) and
becoming rich, but Indian people had to pay taxes to them.
The East India Company formed a private army, which grew to about 200,000
men.
At first, the army's function was to defend the British communities, but then they
began to take land from local Indian leaders.
By the middle of the 19 century, the East India Company controlled a large part
of India.
Some local Indians joined the East India Company's army, but in 1857, there was a
great rebellion by the Indian soldiers.
The British government sent extra soldiers to help the East India Company. The
British and the Indians fought over the city of Delhi for a year.
The British army won the battle, and in 1858, India officially became a British
colony.
Britain ruled India until 1947.
This period is known as the British Raj, from a word meaning 'rule' in the Hindi
language.
Trade with India, particularly in the cotton industry, made lots of money for
Britain, and the British people in India enjoyed a privileged lifestyle.
However, during the Raj period, the British also tried to improve life for everyone in
the country.
British engineers built railways, roads and canals there, Indians adopted the
British systems of government, education and law, and English became the official
language.