Imperialism Of India

The general cause of the Indian Independence Movement was India’s desire for independence from British, French and Portuguese Rule. The aim of the movement was “Swaraj, a self-governing India” (Sharma, 2005, p. 22). One, more specific, cause of the Indian Independence Movement took place in 1905 when the province of Bengal was divided into two provinces,

This period was one of major change in Indian life and culture. While the East

Countries across the globe have been transitioning from authoritarian regimes to democratized nations over the course of the past century. Nations look at the United States as an example of a successful democracy, which is not necessarily true. The United States does a better job at making sure it’s citizens are well aware of their individual rights and liberties. Although many countries claim to be democracies, not all fulfill the duties a democratic nation has to its people and its society. The South Asian country of India is an example of a nation that is a titled democracy, but fails at successfully performing democratic responsibilities for its own citizens. The question being asked here is, why has India struggled since colonization post Great Britain rule, to become a successful democratic country?

Throughout the years many historians have compilated and examined why Indian people were so desperate to gain back their independence from the British Empire during their rule over India, from 1612 to 1947. The reasoning can most definitely be found as the British discriminated against Indian people as they believe that they were inferior; it is no surprise that Indian people fought so hard for their independence. Throughout the British Raj, they placed and put forward unbelievably racist acts and laws which discriminated against Indian people. Which of course led to Indians to rebel against the British rule and which the British reacted with causing massacres. Explaining the nationalistic many India’s felt during the British Raj.

It became evident that the British could maintain the empire only at enormous cost. At the end of the Second World War, they saw the writing on the wall, and initiated a number of constitutional moves to effect the transfer of power to the sovereign State of India. For the first and perhaps the only time in history, the power of a mighty global empire 'on which the sun never set', had been challenged and overcome by the moral might of a people armed only with ideals and courage.

India was set upon Colonialism by the British government. This made British government responsible for the actions it took upon the indian people. The British government has to be held responsible for the destructions it made when India was directly under the British reign. The British empire took species, textiles and other goods from the indian colonies. This made India the main trading source for the period of European exploration. In the 18th century France and Britain fought for control of this land, but finally the British empire gained this territory. The British Raj is the time period when the East India Company was transferred to the Crown Queen Victoria making her the Empress of India. In 1900, India became a part of the British Empire,

Q6. India is a large and prosperous nation in Asia, they are also a nation of which who has the largest and most influential democracy. India prospers and thrives when it comes to their political and economic stances. Previously, we had learned the India was the jewel in the crown for the country of England. England had obtained control over India for a long period of time making India one of their best and most profitable colonies. Therefore, their political and economic success would be very crucial when it comes to the future of democracy in Asia. During this time in the world, democracy and communism were battling, trying to prove which one was better. The Soviet Union along with the East argued that communism was the way to go; on the

The domination of a country’s or region’s political, cultural, or economic life by one country is called imperialism. (Esler, page. 632) European imperialism began in the 1800s. “European nations won empires in the Americas after1492, established colonies in India and Southeast Asia, and gained toeholds on the coast of Africa and China. Despite these gains, between 1500 and 1800, Europe had little influence on the lives of the peoples of China, India or Africa.” (Esler, page.632) Then the Europeans industrialized and believe western cultures were superior to all other. They felt the other countries were inferior to them and began the spread of westernization.

Further evidence shows that more British involvement over the course of two centuries made nearly all aspects of Indian society weaker overall. Areas that experienced direct British rule have significantly lower levels of access to education, roads, and healthcare in the postcolonial period, thereby demonstrating that the quality of governance during Britain’s imperial rule in India had a significant effect on the country after becoming an independent nation in 1947 (Fisher).

Additionally, in more precarious democratic governments such as India’s, peoples right to power is still recognized. Ronojoy Sen remarks of India’s 2009 elections that, “a handful of successful professionals and entrepreneurs even ran”(cite). Despite implying that only successful peoples were exercising their liberties, elucidated in this article is the potential of any citizen to attain political power, demonstrating true liberal democracy in its purest form. Communism does not give its people these liberties, the party is the “agent for creating political development” (Janos, pg. 2) and there is little need for elections as the outcome is pre-determined. In the case of Nazism, while Hitler utilised democracy to attain power, once in control democracy was replaced with autocracy.

Through the study of human history it is evident authoritative and monarch governments prevailed as legitimate authorities but with careful considerations these political systems were seen as inaccurate by many. New political systems, functions and responsibilities soon began to surface. Democracy was among these new political systems and argues for the influence of citizens in politics and the protection of rights (Dahl, 1998, p. 44). Democracy can be found through many political systems around the world particularly in first world countries such as Canada and the United States of America. Fortunately the notions of democracy can also be found in some developing countries such as India. ¬¬¬Although democratic views and notions are found throughout Indian politics and its associated practices India does not prove to be completely democratic in relation to Robert Dahl’s criteria of democracy highlighted in his book, On Democracy. Robert Dahl, a political scientist and professor, sets up 5 criteria of democracy that includes effective participation, voting equality, enlightened understanding, inclusion and control of agenda (Dahl, 1998, p. 36-7). He argues that a sense of true democracy is founded when all 5 criteria of democracy are fulfilled (Dahl, 1998, p. 36). Unfortunately India is unable to accommodate the criteria of voting equality and effective participation due to its

This chapter gives the meaning of postcolonialism and post-colonialism. It introduces the partition of India in order to make a clear understanding about the subcontinent as independent state and how their leaders struggled to get freedom and independence as post-colonial India. It also displays the main changes and strategies adopted by the Indian constitution in the economic field to challenge the agricultural difficulties.

After the departure of the British Empire from the Indian Subcontinent, it led to the formation of two different countries- India and Pakistan along religious lines (Hinduism and Islam). (Kux, 87) These two new dominions had around 650 states run by princes. Theoretically these states had the option of choosing either of the countries or remain independent. By remaining independent they would have let monarchy leap over democracy. These ‘independent’ states were advised by the British Government to get associated with either of the two dominions keeping in view the geographical and other relevant considerations, for the sole purpose of securing their defence, foreign relations and other specified matters.

80s onward when Indian society already stood the test of democracy, yet reeling under several vexing issues,

In the 18th century Kashmir was ruled by the Muslim Pashtun Durrani Empire. In 1819 Kashmir was conquered by the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh. Following the First Anglo-Sikh War in 1845 and 1846, Kashmir was first ceded by the Treaty of Lahore to the East India Company, and shortly after sold by the Treaty of Amritsar to Gulab Singh, Raja of Jammu, who thereafter was given the title Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. From then until the Partition of India, Kashmir was ruled by the Hindu Maharajas of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu although