Final answer:
The British Raj was a period of direct British rule in India from 1858 following the Sepoy Rebellion until India's independence in 1947. This era began after the end of the rule by the East India Company due to the 1857 uprising, leading to the development of a closed economic system and early Indian nationalism.
Step-by-step explanation:
British Raj: The Jewel in the Crown
The term British Raj refers to the period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947, following the uprising known as the Sepoy Rebellion or the Indian Mutiny of 1857. This rebellion led to the dissolution of the British East India Company and the establishment of direct rule by the British Crown. Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876, which significantly changed the administrative structure and socio-political landscape of the country.
Timeline of the British Influence in India
The British presence in India started intensifying after their victory in the Seven Years' War, placing the subcontinent firmly under their sway. With the British East India Company's wins, such as the defeat of Bengal's ruler in 1757, the British consolidated their position in India, eventually leading to the establishment of the British Raj after the Sepoy Rebellion. Throughout this period, India remained a jewel for British colonial interests, serving as a source of raw materials and as a market for British goods, forming a closed economic system that benefited the British economy.
The suppression of the rebellion was followed by the installation of viceroys and the direct governance of India. The era saw the emergence of Indian nationalists, who faced a glass ceiling within the British administration. These nationalists laid the groundwork for the future Indian independence movement.