Imperialism In India

In the beginning, pre-independence India was satisfied with British imperialism. They were respectable towards their traditions, did not have a direct rule (dominion) over them, etc. This changed in late 1850s, as the British grew increasingly intolerant and disrespectful of Hindu and Muslim culture in India. Communalized uprisings rose from the common desire both Hindu and Muslim to fight back against the intolerance and seek independency within the subcontinent. These two nations, the Muslims and the Hindus, came under one singular nation of ‘Indian’ and the desire to have freedom to practice their religion as see fit. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough to win and form independent government. In response to the mutiny, Great Britain

With a country such as India which became the debtor instead of the ones in debt following WWII, far off from the mainland, etc. This led to the independence of the subcontinent, but it partitioned in a peaceful manner. They were divided by the British rule beforehand, and kept a secret until India’s independence. While things stayed calm for a short time, later on there was a large separation from Hindu to Muslim and vice versa in terms of fleeing persecution by the other. Thus, Pakistan was born from the emigrating Muslim community while India grew from those left behind. It was a wavering separation, one which Awaharlal Nehru (first winner of India’s democratic election) wished would only be temporary. All three texts, Amartya Sen’s reading “The Importance of Democracy”, chapter three in Southern Exposure, and chapter five in Promises Not Kept, bring up these events to give support to their theories on nationalism as a social force, and the role of poverty in relation to political

For instance, just after gaining autonomy, illiteracy and infant mortality in the nation were cut in half, while the population and national income more than tripled. However, the events of the past (the domination of the Mogul empire over agriculture, the devastation over manufacturing due to British industrialism, etc.) had significant drawbacks for the future of the state. An example of this would be poverty in India. While there is a significantly less percentage of people living in poverty with independence, there are a lot more lives that constitute that number. Not only that, but the income-wealth of the state is divided disproportionately among the people, with the wealthier gaining and the poor falling behind.

Overall, India’s independence was caused by the rise of nationalism via British oppression rather than increased economic productivity. The effects of this independence are largely positive, and India remains relatively stable in their democracy. However, the historical events of the past also negatively affect the state of today, leading to civil disputes and struggles with economic development in the