Essay On British Colonialism

Between 1858 and 1947, India was under the British rule (Kallie). During this period different social aspects benefited from the British colonial rule. The investigation will try to answer the question ‘To what extent was the British colonization of India socially beneficial?’ by focusing on the assistance of the British colonial rule in the development of infrastructure and education. Additionally, it will examine the British modality, the survey modality and how they both worked as key factors in the formation of the Indian culture (Cohn). Another area to be examined for further analysis is the end of arbitrary rule by despotic rulers and the formation of the Indian languages. Finally, an evaluation of visual sources demonstrating two different sides of the British rule in India as well as documents will lead to the summary of evidence to formulate a conclusion as to the extent that British colonialism was socially beneficial to India.

Section B: Summary of Evidence

End of Arbitrary Rule by Despotic Rulers:

They governed India by reinstituting and organizing the ruling practices of the state and the rulers who came before them. They built the colonial state based on their knowledge that they had for Indian’s history and practices (Cohn, 5). Before British colonialism, India had been ruled by despots with absolute power who could do whatever they pleased. The British introduced the rule of law, which was the same for everyone and enforced it on the whole country. (Guha) Together with the rule of law the British also brought with them the heritage of the English constitution. Nevertheless, the motivations of the social effect of the laws as applied and the role of colonial populations themselves in shaping these laws and their effects are still unknown.