BRITISH EMPIRE IN INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

Introduction

Around the 18th Century a number of significant events took place in the world.

Such event was the Industrial Revolution which took place in England and gradually spread to other countries of Europe also.

One such sea route to India was discovered by a Portuguese called Vasco Da Gama in 1498.

As a result, the English, French, Portuguese and the Dutch came to India for trade.

REASONS FOR COMING IN INDIA

The European and the British traders initially came to India for trading purposes.

The Industrial Revolution in Britain led to the increase in demand for raw materials for the factories there.

At the same time, they also required a market to sell their finished goods.

India provided such a platform to Britain to fulfill all their needs.

The 18th century was a period of internal power struggle in India and with the declining power of the Mughal Empire.

The British officials were provided with the perfect opportunity to establish their hold over Indian Territory.

They did these through numerous wars, forced treaties, annexations of and alliances with the various regional powers all over the country.

With its help England was able to extend its territorial frontiers to the Indian subcontinent. Their most important settlement on the southern coast was Madras where they built a fortified factory called Fort St. George. This was the first proprietary holding acquired by the company on Indian soil. Gradually the company expanded its trading network. By that time the company was well established in India. It had also succeeded in eliminating the other rival European powers from India. They also started interfering in the political affairs of the Indian rulers.

Now look at the map of the 19th century India given below. You will locate many big and small independent states. These states had their own rulers, economy, language and culture. These states were constantly at war with each other. It was not surprising that they fell an easy prey to the European powers especially the British. The Battle of Plassey in 1757 marked the beginning of the political dominance of the British in India. British rule had a deep impact on the political and social life of the Indians.
Various wars waged by the British against the Indian states.
(1) Anglo-mysore Wars
(2) Anglo-maratha Wars
(3) Anglo-sikh Wars
(4)Other Conquests, System of Alliances and Annexations. Soon many more native states came under British control. This was done by a system of alliances called the Doctrine of Lapse and Subsidiary Alliance.

BRITISH IMPACT ON CULTURE & EDUCATION

The British wanted the Indians to be educated and modern enough to consume their goods & make immense profits.

Radicals among the British wanted Indians to be a part of the modern, progressive world of science and introducing the English language in India, which was part of their strategy.

The Indians would be ready to work as clerks on low wages while for the same work the British would demand much higher wages, which would reduce the expenditure on administration.

It was also expected to create a class of Indians who were loyal to the British and were not like the other Indians, this class of Indians would be taught to appreciate the culture and opinion of the British.

In addition, they would also help to increase the market for British goods.

Positive impact of education on the society is that, even though education did not reach the masses but ideas of anti-imperialism, nationalism, social and economic equality took root.

The spread of English language and western education helped Indians to adopt modern, rational, democratic, liberal and patriotic outlook.

IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Certain social practices was popular in Indian society like female infanticide, child marriage, polygamy and a rigid caste system.

Education was limited to a handful of men belonging to the upper castes.

The British brought new ideas such as liberty, equality, freedom and human rights from the Renaissance.

These ideas appealed to some sections of other society and led to several reform movements in different parts of the
country.

Many visionary Indians such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Aruna Asaf Ali and Pandita Ramabai supported this movements.

These movements aimed at social unity and strived towards liberty, equality and fraternity.

The socio-religious reform movement led to the national movement.

These reform movements helped many Indians to come to terms with the modern world.

They helped other countrymen to appreciate that all modern ideas were not against Indian culture and values.

The introduction of modern education guided the Indians towards a scientific and rational approach to life.

People became more conscious of their identity as Indians which was ultimately responsible for their united struggle against the British in the freedom movement of India.

BRITISH EMPIRE IN AFRICA

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