THEME OR ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

• What are the effects of colonization?
• What is the role of nationalism as a force opposed to colonization?

TIME REQUIRED:
Introduction, formation of groups initial work (45-60 minutes)
Research and questions (1-2 hours of homework)
Role play and follow-up discussion (45-60 minutes).

SUGGESTED GRADE LEVELS: 7 - 12

NJ CORE CONTENT STANDARDS: 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.8

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

• Students will participate in a role-play activity.
          
• Students will understand the factors dividing colonial India (including political organization, religion, culture ethnicity, and language).
• Students will understand how the British raj contributed to the formation of Indian nationalism.

STRATEGIES:

• Students should research the Sepoy Revolt of 1857 and be familiar with the facts of this event.  (Native soldiers mutiny after being forced to handle cartridges greased with the fat of cows and pigs).
• Divide class into six groups and assign a group to view the situation from each of the following perspectives:
  1. A Hindu soldier.
  2. A Muslim soldier.
  3. A British businessman.
  4. A member of the British government.
  5. A “westernized” Indian.
  6. A local Maharaja
• Each group should research the event and the situation in India at the time and answer the following questions from the perspective of their person:
  1. What goals and aspirations do you have for yourself?
  2. What methods would you use to attain them?
  3. What hopes do you have for the future of India?
  4. What methods would you use to achieve this?
  5. What is your opinion of the other five people listed above? (Deal with each separately and in detail).
• Using their research information students should role-play the situation in India at the time of the Sepoy Revolt.  Groups may choose one member to represent their perspective or all may participate.  (For example there may be several Hindu soldiers and several Muslim soldiers in the barracks and a group of British businessmen and their wives giving their reaction at the local club).
 
• Following the role-play exercise students should be asked to discuss or give a written response to the following questions:
  1. Why did the revolt fail?
  2. Why did some Indian people see the revolt as a step backwards?
  3. What are the dangers in a colonial power having a “native” army?
  4. What is nationalism and what role if any did nationalism play in this incident?

MATERIALS: Access to resources on 19^th century British/Indian history

REFERENCES:

• INTERNET: http://www.landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/history/empire/1857

ASSESSMENT: Written response to Procedure E above.