British Raj: Map & History
The British Raj was the period of rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent, lasting from 1858 to 1947.
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The British Raj was the period of rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent, lasting from 1858 to 1947. It is also called Crown rule in India, or direct rule in India. The region under British control was commonly called India in contemporaneous usage and included areas directly administered by the United Kingdom, which were collectively called British India, and areas ruled by indigenous rulers, but under British paramountcy, called the princely states. The region was sometimes called the Indian Empire, though not officially. As India, it was a founding member of the League of Nations and a founding member of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945. India was a participating state in the Summer Olympics in 1900, 1920, 1928, 1932, and 1936.
Modern Countries Once Part of British Raj
At its mapped extent, British Raj covered territory in 5 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Pakistan1859–1946 CE · nearly all
- Bangladesh1859–1946 CE · nearly all
- Sri Lanka1859–1947 CE · nearly all
- India1859–1946 CE · nearly all
- Myanmar1859–1947 CE · most
States and Provinces
- Uttar Pradesh, India
- Andhra Pradesh, India
- Maharashtra, India
- Punjab, Pakistan
- Tamil Nadu, India
- Karnataka, India
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli, India
- Rajasthan, India
- Haryana, India
- West Bengal, India
- Madhya Pradesh, India
- N.W.F.P., Pakistan
- Assam, India
- Ayeyarwady, Myanmar
- Bihar, India
- Orissa, India
- Punjab, India
- Sind, Pakistan
- Bago, Myanmar
- Baluchistan, Pakistan
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Magway, Myanmar
- Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- Jammu and Kashmir, India
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside British Raj's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
British Raj in Depth
History
Although the Indian Rebellion of 1857 had shaken the British enterprise in India, it had not derailed it. Until 1857, the British, especially under Lord Dalhousie, had been hurriedly building an India which they envisaged to be on par with Britain itself in the quality and strength of its economic and social institutions. After the rebellion, they became more circumspect. Much thought was devoted to the causes of the rebellion, and three main lessons were drawn. First, at a practical level, it was felt that there needed to be more communication and camaraderie between the British and Indians—not just between British army officers and their Indian staff but in civilian life as well.
Economy
All three sectors of the economy—agriculture, manufacturing, and services—accelerated in postcolonial India. In agriculture, a huge increase in production took place in the 1870s. The most important difference between colonial and postcolonial India was the use of land surplus with productivity-led growth by using high-yielding variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, and more intensive application of water. All these three inputs were subsidised by the state. The result was, on average, no long-term change in per capita income levels, though the cost of living had grown higher. Agriculture was still dominant, with most peasants at the subsistence level.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: British Raj (CC BY-SA 4.0).
British Raj: Key Facts
| Capitals | Kolkata, New Delhi |
|---|---|
| Official language | English |
| Form of government | constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | Indian rupee |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Dissolved | 15 August 1947 |
Preceded by
- Company rule in India
- Emirate of Afghanistan
- Jaitpur State
- Kolathunadu
- Trankebar
Succeeded by
- Dominion of India
- Dominion of Pakistan
- British rule in Myanmar
- India
Facts from Wikidata Q129286 (CC0).
Interactive map
British Raj on the World War I map →
See British Raj’s territory change day by day from 4 August 1914, with every battle it fought.
British Raj Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which British Raj appears, with the other states of the time.
British Raj Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 4,938,693 km² in 1917 CE.
British Raj: Frequently Asked Questions
When did British Raj exist?
British Raj is dated to 1859 CE – 1947 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of British Raj?
The capital of British Raj was Calcutta, (1858–1911), New Delhi, (1911/1931–1947).
How large was British Raj at its peak?
At its peak in 1917 British Raj covered about 4,938,693 km².
How did the map of British Raj change over time?
British Raj appears on 3 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1900 CE to 1945 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
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Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Raigad