The British Empire in India
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can assess the extent to which British rule in India changed after the Indian Rebellion.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
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
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
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?
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?
Q5.Who ruled over most of India before the British East India Company gained control?
Q6.Which statement is most accurate?
Assessment exit quiz
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?
Q3.Why did the EIC increase taxes in some areas of India by 28%?
Q4.How much area was affected by the Indian Rebellion?
Q5.Why did taxes remain high after India became a Crown Colony?
Q6.Which statement is most accurate?
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The British Empire in India, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The British Empire in India, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The British Empire: how far was it transformed in the mid-nineteenth century? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.