The Partition of India in 1947 illustrated what the real situation for decades with conflicts of religion and dominance as India gained independence from the British Raj. The process of dividing the subcontinent along sectarian lines resulted to the establishment of Pakistan as the predominantly Muslim sections of India; and the establishment of the Republic of India composed of the southern and majority Hindu section of India. Religion played a major role in the conflicts that existed between Hindus and Muslims aggravated by British imperialism.
The Hindus were unwilling to accommodate Islam and the conflicting religious views between Hindus and Muslims made it extremely difficult for their peaceful co-existence. Hinduism is a strict hierarchical structure that is separated into thousands of castes to isolated units. Hinduism as a closed society commands loyalty from the implemented system of each caste with the presence of outsiders considered as the barbarians. Any connection with such outsiders through intermarriage and any other kind of relationship or by simply sitting, eating or drinking with them are forbidden because such outsiders would only pollute the purity of Hindus. Hinduism principles are primarily directed against those who do not belong to them and all foreigners even if such individuals referred to as Maleccha are inclined to their religion. Hinduism in its strict intolerance of other faiths led to the rejection of Hindus to assimilate Indian Muslims and ensured of a barrier that always divided Hindus and Muslims. The religious differences were fundamental to the separation of Muslims and Hindus and the hostility that constrained the possibilities of cooperation between them. The Muslims shared a se...
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...ions of right and wrong and has placed the British in a very ugly world impression of Britain’s evil capability of stirring up hatred and doing nothing to suppress the consequences of division the imperial power orchestrated; and thus left the Hindus and Muslims in conflict and an absolute despise of the British. The scheme of winning wars using the troops of India clearly benefitted the British Empire even with the result of the loss of millions of Indian soldiers. The British were the great benefactors of the conquered peoples who generously gave in to promises to address the natives’ sentiments for independence. The British Empire was fed a boost for its international power with the ordinary public playing the no role in international politics except its consent to continue the illusion of popular mandate in the conception of state power by modern democracy.
These improvements and benefits from British rule eventually led to Indian nationalism. The exposure to European ideas caused an Indian nationalist movement, the people dreamed of ending Imperial rule.
Thousands of years ago, Indian society developed into a complex system based on different classes. This system was known as the Caste System. It separated Indians into different castes based on what class were born into. As thousands of years went by, this system grew larger and became further complex (Wadley 189). This system caused frustration for the Indian citizens because they were receiving inequality. Not only did the inequality and separation of the Indian society frustrate the citizens of India, but the imperialism Britain had upon them as well. In the early 20th century, Indian nationalists wanted to take a stand against the British rule and make India independent. The British created unfair laws that created a nationalist movement
In this imperialism by Europe, there was much good that was brought out from it which allowed for the response of happiness. An Indian politician named Dadabhai Naoroji wrote all about “the Benefits of British Rule” specifically in India (Doc. 3). In his book, he talks about politics, economics, and material goods that was influenced greatly of Great Britain and greatly
British Imperialism had a negative effect on India politically because of their highly structured and biased government and law system. The new British government was 94% British and 6% Indian (doc 2). This allowed the british to be extremely biased and ethnocentric towards the Indians in court due to the government being 94% British. Indians got punished far more severely than white people for committing the same crime. For example, an Indian convicted of attempted rape against an english woman would face 20 years hard time, while an Englishmen who shot dead his Indian servant would only face six months jail time and a moderate fine (doc 4).
...yway. How can what Britain did be considered good for India? It can’t. At least, not if India’s value is in it’s people. The British did however bring peace to a nation collapsing on itself. And provided India with ‘proper’ education and standards. Communication, transport, industrialization, sanitation all improved and slavery, internal relations conflicts and unacceptable practices all ceased. So Britain’s rule could also be considered the best thing to happen to India. If India’s value were instead measured by western standards considering India before British rule in comparison to after. Everything has it’s price, all that can be truly verified is that British imperialism's impact on India was both positive and negative. It just depends from which side you choose to view it, the colonizers or the colony.
...ng religion and foreign to the people of India, yet there is a defied truth that Islam’s spread peacefully throughout India with the alliances formed between the Indian people, the Turks, and the Mongols. The encounters that the ancient Indian people had to endure with the Turks, Mongols, and Islam have had the most memorable impact and impression on Indian culture and other societies throughout the east. Ancient Indian history is often overlooked within our society, but perhaps there should be a second look at how the Indian people have became who they are today, what attributes that have given society, and what pandemonium they have overcame as a civilization to stay in existence and stand against the test of time.
The British Empire is the largest empire ever seen on the face of this planet. The empire was divided into two. The first part of the empire revolved around the British colonies in America that were popularly known as the thirteen colonies. These gained independence from Britain in 1783. The second part of the empire, which developed from the first empire, came later. It started during the Napoleonic wars and survived throughout the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. In fact, the British withdrew from its last colony, Hong Kong, in 1997; indeed the empire lasted for a long time. It developed from India and spun to regions of Africa and Australia. The influence and the power of the empire spun around the world shaping it in different ways. This influence is still evident in many places that fell under its control (Ferguson, 2004). To many people the world is the way it is due to the effects of the British Empire. Certainly, this empire just like other numerous empires before it and after it had triumphs and humiliations; however, the fact that this empire had numerous good effects cannot be overemphasized. The empire impacted positively on Britain and the colonies.
The British Empire was equally a powerful imperial system, but for differing reasons. Its monarchy has led them to success with nationalism and patriotism, and even some of their own thought that ruling over more countries (particularly India) would make them “the greatest power in the world” (Roberts, p. 225). They were interested in imperializing and having control over others, to spread their beliefs and government across the seas. All they needed was “food, raw materials and cash” while they supplied “minerals and capital and sold services” and traded their goods with Europe (Roberts, p. 50).
British imperialism on India had many positive and negative affects on both the mother country, Britain and the colony, India. Many people would argue which effects were more prominent in these countries and some would agree that they were equal. But in both cases there were actually both.
"All the leadership had spent their early years in England. They were influenced by British thought, British ideas, that is why our leaders were always telling the British "How can you do these things? They're against your own basic values.". We had no hatred, in fact it was the other way round - it was their values that made us revolt." -Aruna Asaf Ali, a leader of the Indian National Congress. (Masani, quoted in Wood, 32, 1989)
India is the center of a very serious problem in the world today. It’s a very diverse place with people from many different religious backgrounds, who speak many different languages and come from many different regions. They are also separated economically. Two of the country’s religious sects, Muslims and Hindus, have been in conflict for hundreds of years. Their feelings of mistrust and hatred for each other are embedded in all those years and will not leave easily. What’s most disturbing is that there seems to be no plan for reconciliation available. There are numerous reasons for this conflict.
During the Cold War, many regional conflicts occurred and were noted as the significant battles which later led to decolonization. One of the regional conflicts were India and Pakistan fighting for their independence. In 1947, India was released under Great Britain’s control and gained its independence. However, the country was divided between Muslims and Hindus, which share different religions. Muslims wanted church and state to become unified while Hindus wanted a separation of these two establishments. Since these two ethnic groups disagreed, it was difficult to create a new government. Therefore, India was divided into two nations: India for the Hindus and Pakistan for the Muslims. Hindus and Muslims were racing to the border in order to get to their nation state which led to killing 500,000 people due to rioting. Although, Mohandas Gandhi, an Indian National Congressman, wanted to obtain peace between these two religions. Pakistan refused the H...
There is a distinct difference between popular Indian nationalism, that is the nation believing in a state independent of Britain, and Indian nationalist movements, for example the Muslim League or the Hindu revivalist movement. These movements fought for independence but were far more religiously orientated and were fighting in their own interests. Although Indian nationalism initially found expression in the Mutiny of 1857, its deve...
The British invasion formed into a historical development of British colonialism in India. Despite India under the British rule, Mahatma Gandhi played an important role in gaining Independence. He not only changed India but also strongly fought for India's independence, using various strategies. The British Empire ruled as long as they could to reform India both politically and socially.
Ruby Kaur May 10, 2014 Source 1 Ricardo Pollack is distinguished as a director because of the documentary, Partition: The Day India Burned (2007). The documentary itself discusses the detrimental consequences of the withdrawal of Britain's reign from India in 1947, which led to the forced relocation of men, women, and even children across newly defined border lines, along with violence, rape, and murder. The film makes its argument through dramatized reconstructions and witness testimonies, which offer personal insight into the horrors of the partition and conjure up feelings of sympathy and remorse. The film intends to make an educated public more aware of how an ethnically diverse nation was tragically divided and its effects on civilian lives. This is a secondary source with primary sources because it is based on witness testimonies and an actual historical event, but offers its own evaluation on the issue through dramatized reconstructions of the event.