The British were equivocal in asserting that colonizing India would be beneficial to India and its populace. The British fronted an all-rounded strategy that would ensure that India benefitted politically, economically, socially, materially and generally through the subjection to British rule (Naoroji, 1887 pg 131). Although this argument presented the superficial outlook the British would have loved to extrapolate, it avoided colluding with the ultimate gains the British projected from India as a strategically positioned nation, in terms of land and sea. India offered much in terms of agricultural gains, especially in terms of the production of spices, tea and coffee whilst the sea was crucial for the transportation of these crucial goods not only to Europe, but also to all other continents. However, the British did not cite these potential motivating grounds.
Instead, they argued that they intended to civilize the servile Indians, provide them education, spread the Christian religion, straighten the avenues for sustained peace, order and stability, provide improved infrastructure and finally project Britain as credit-worth nation across the face of the world. Though the colonization came against the backdrop of skepticism from the French and Russia- then Prussia, Britain argued for its intentions to colonize India and indeed went ahead to do so. The claim of the nobility of the colonization cause for the Indians was argued over by the House of Commons and it was endorsed that the British protectorate Company could go ahead and take control over the Indian Territory. The British strongly founded their claims on the positives they intended to achieve within the Indian populace and its territories and focused less on the negatives a move to colonize India could brought along.
To begin with, the British aimed at instilling humanity and civilization in the Indian society. The India belief system was so strict in adherence to rituals and traditional practices, which the British cited as a major hurdle to the achievement of development and progress. Hazewell pointed to practices which includedsuttee, infanticide, remarriage of Hindu widows and numerous pests within the Indian society (pg 134-136). The British cited civilization as the perfect avenue to the abolition of such detrimental aspects. For a community rooted deep in its culture, the British argued that all attempts to ensure that the people abandoned these acts was by enlightening then, adding that education is the only avenue with which civilization could be fast realized.
Thus, the strategic advocacy for education across the gender divide was touted by the British as capable of destroying superstition, eradicating moral and social evils. Moreover, the British saw this as the weapon capable of breaking the caste system India had been synonymous with. The British extrapolated that the Indian society had to co-exist in a cohesive and harmonious manner and prosperity could only be achieved if all Indians worked succinctly towards meeting the goals of prosperity.
The British stated of a desire to ensure political stability thrives in India. Consequently, they argued that their efforts were aimed at ensuring peace, order and security of life and businesses. The British argued not only on the realms of administration and governance, but also an incorporated approach that would offer the individual in India, irrespective of the caste one belongs, security of life and property (Hazewell, 1857 pg 217). The political vision and statement was enshrined in the understanding that political stability offers not just a chance for national prosperity but it also trickles down to the citizens whose lifestyle and hard work is manifest on their thriving cum prospering lifestyles.
Though the British were never open to admit, Calcutta and Bengal offered good opportunities for their nationals as pretty working atmospheres. The presence of the British later acted as a catalyst for unity as Indians came together irrespective of their caste orientation to fight against British imperialism and oppression especially in terms of taxes and brutal governance meted out by the administrators and the Sepoys (Hazewell, 1857 pg 87). In addition, the British failed to live to this aspiration because they failed to train the upcoming generations the basics of effective leadership for transitional purposes.
Finally, the British rolled out an economic master plan and argued it would be good for India. The eventual aim would have been to exploit the labor force in India that had huge potential for the realization of the export targets intended by the colonialists. In addition, the sea route was a potential resource and British argued that it intended to bring efficient management. In addition, the land was rich for agriculture and British envisioned strategies aimed at getting more produce for the good of Europe and India as well. The economic plan would mean the establishment of all vital infrastructures which ranged from road network, rail, reliable energy sources as well as irrigation schemes.
This would triple the production of Indian goods precisely tea, indigo, coffee, and silk, and, subsequently better the financial and economic standing of India (Naoroji, 1887, pg 135). In addition the strategies would foresee the dawn of improved lifestyles for the Indians as well as prosperity of the Indian nation, according to the British. Though in book these realizations are realistic, it is imperative to point out that their realization was hindered by the give and take mode adopted by the British, which was executed through heavy taxation.
British efforts to colonize India were not supported by all. The fact that the population of India was enormous presented a challenge. In addition, Indians seemed to have well spelt systems of administration, which overlooked into matters affecting the society (Hazewell, 1857, pg 122). The numbers equation combined well with the sea route to pose a challenge of a possible back lash, given that the French and possibly the Russians were against the British control over a hemisphere considered influential to their trade and important for the sustenance of their sea operations. Most of the paraphernalia transported from overseas to Europe and Russia in particular had to use the Indian route so the Russians were wary of a potent threat of the British control. Even in light of the potential diplomatic row that an Indian colonization could have, the British went ahead and colonized India, which was a strong show of might exuded by the British.
British imperialism was by far beneficial to the Indian nation. The introduction of education offset the beginning of a civilized lifestyle. In addition, it questioned the wisdom behind the rituals and traditions practiced and informed their abandonment for the better. In terms of political gains, India gathered lots of democratic momentum from the British rule which has led to sustained period of peace and stability. The need to fight a common enemy united all Indians and the unity has been translated to economic progress and prosperity since time. Though the British did not succeed in eradicating the caste orientation, social stratification is not as profound as it used to be. The British also laid down initial infrastructure; ranging from roads, rail, energy generation plants and irrigation schemes.
This has been quite important especially since it gave the foundation for the Indian economy. In the political arena, not only did the British endorse the drafting of the Indian constitution, but also play an active role in its preparation. The constitution laid important guidelines on the governing of the Indian nation and also informed the political landscape upon the departure of the British colonialists. The British are also indebted with pushing for the advancement of Indian exports in the International trade market with most of the exports destined for Britain. All these points validate the argument that India ultimately benefited from imperialism.PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET AN AMAZING DISCOUNT!
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