The origins of British rule in India
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can recall that the Mughal Empire initially had control over India but that the power of the East India Company expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Key learning points
- Prior to the arrival of Britain, the Indian subcontinent was ruled by the Muslim Mughal Empire.
- Under the rule of Aurangzeb, the power of the Mughals decreased due to war and economic difficulties.
- In 1600 the East India Company was founded and was given a monopoly over trade in East Asia.
- In the 1757 Battle of Plassey, Robert Clive's East India Company gained control over India.
- In the 18th and 19th centuries the East India Company expanded its control along with government involvement.
Keywords
Monopoly - exclusive control over a supply of or trade in a commodity or service
Sepoy - an Indian soldier serving in the British or another European order
Nawab - a native governor during the time of the Mughal Empire
Common misconception
The British were the only European power trying to gain control over India.
The British, French and Dutch were all attempting to gain a foothold in India and expand their influence there.
Teacher tip
Ensure students understand that the East India Company began as a business that took control of parts of India and gradually expanded this control over India through negotiation and military force.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes the movement of people into a new area or country?
Q2.Complete the sentence: Enslaved people were forcibly transported to the Americas from West Africa in the Slave Trade.
Q3.Which of the following were the most important factors in causing migration in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Q4.During the 16th and 17th centuries, where did migration lead to a distinct identity emerging?
Q5.Put the following time periods in chronological order.
Q6.In which direction did migration occur in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes exclusive control over a supply of or trade in a commodity or service?
Q2.Who ruled the Indian subcontinent prior to the arrival of Britain?
Q3.Which company was founded in 1600 and soon established trading posts in Surat, Madras and Bombay?
Q4.Who ruled over the Hindu princes, creating a vast and stable empire in India from 1556 to 1605?
Q5.Which of the following products were exported by the EIC from India?
Q6.Who led the EIC to victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The origins of British rule in India, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: The origins of British rule 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 4 history lessons from the Britain: Migration, empires and the people - c790 to the present day unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.