British Imperialism in India


 


Britain started to take interest in India during the 1600s, when the British India Company, established trading posts in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. During that time, Britain was not a threat because the Mughal Dysnasty was able to keep European traders under control. However, the Mughal Empire was slowly deteriorating. Many states moved away from the empire causing the Mughal power to decline. The British India Company took advantage of this. In 1975, the British army, led by Robert Clive won the Battle of Plassey. Because of this, East India Company came into power. It took hold of a vast area covering almost the whole of Southern India, the territories along the Ganges River and Bangladesh.


 


The East India Company dominated India. The British government was the one that regulated the efforts of the company. However, the company was able to operate with minimal interference from the government. It established its own army, led by British officers and staffed by sepoys (Indian soldiers).


 


India was valued for its potential. The Industrial Revolution has led to the metamorphosis of Britain to one of the world’s largest industrial nation. India became its top supplier of raw materials and resources. The Indian workforce was also valued by the British. Moreover, the vast Indian market composed of almost 300 million people was very enticing for British manufacturers. India was considered as the brightest jewel in the crown – the most precious British colony.


 


The Indian economy was heavily restricted by the British. Independence of the Indian economy was avoided at all cost. In order to exploit the Indian resources to the fullest, the British made sure that India produces raw materials for British manufacturing and purchase British-manufactured goods. Indian businesses and manufacturers were not allowed to compete with the British. As a result, Indian goods and products were pushed out of the market. The British established a rail system to make the transportation of raw materials and finished products more efficient. Majority of raw materials produced in India were agricultural products such as tea, indigo, coffee, cotton, jute and opium.


 


Effects of Imperialism


            India both benefited and was oppressed by the British. Britain brought India to progress and modernity. The establishment of a railroad system was beneficial both to the British and the Indians. Britain also introduce other modern facilities and infrastructures such as telephone, telegraph lines, dams, bridges, and irrigation canals. Improvements in sanitation and public health was also achieved. The educational system introduced by the British was also more advanced. As a result, more Indians were educated and literacy increased.


 


            Along with the benefits that India received from Imperialism came the oppression and other restrictions in the Indian way of living. The British held much of the political and economic power. The Indian economy was primarily dominated by the British. Indian owned businesses and industries were not allowed to flourish. Majority of the economic benefits were reaped by the British. British policies and laws led to the demise of many Indian industries. Many farmers and villagers lost their ability to feed themselves because they were forced to grow cash crops. Famines were struck many people dead.


 


It has been said that Britain has exploited and plundered India. The lands were taken away from the people. The farmers were forced to produce cash crops. The outright plunder gradually took the shape of legalized exploitation. The British Imperialism was characterized by plunder, venality, nepotism, and greed of money. The result of this was the famine of 1770 which swept over a third of the population. The crisis in industry spread rapidly to the land and became a permanent crisis in agriculture. The burden of agricultural dept grew, and ownership of the land often passed to moneylenders. The number of landless laborers increased by the million. The growing presence of Christian missionaries in India, caused unrest as Indians began to fear that the British were trying to convert them to Christianity. Indians also resented the constant racism that the British expressed toward them.


 


            As a result, there have been a growing resentment toward the British. There was also a growing feeling of nationalism among Indians. In 1957, the Sepoy Mutiny broke out, leading to other events that ultimately led to Independence.



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