How Did The British Rule Of India Dbq

The British first took control of India in 1759, when the “East India Company,” a British corporation, used their private military to take advantage of the declining government of India, the Mughal Dynasty. After this, they exploited it for its natural wealth and imposed regulations on India’s people that helped profits, particularly after the British government got involved personally. Finally, after decades of protest and conflict, India gained independence in 1947 due to the efforts of activists such as Mohandas Gandhi and their supporters. As supporters of imperialism would argue, during this Britain maintained structured control, provided trade, and protected Indian culture. However, they restricted freedoms, imposed poverty, and destroyed

British rule over india as a colonial state was effective and precise in the eyes of British supporters, but it was only this way through its discriminatory measures, separating Indians as well as creating conflict, and was thusly not in the benefit of India’s natives. At first glance, it may seem that Indians were advanced by the efficient rule which the colonists employed(Lalvani). However, this governing body was led by a tiny minority of native Indians, outnumbered 1 to 15 by British invaders( Document #2). This left them all but voiceless as the British installed drastic laws such as the Rowlatt Act, meant to disempower aboriginals by allowing the British to imprison supposed terrorists, meaning protesters, without a trial(Gandhi). Still, the British feared further revolt among Indians, and with so few of them there to enforce their laws they needed a police force staffed by the very people they sought to oppress. Again, in hindsight this may appear to have been military training which only helped to instill peace and empower natives(Lalvani). When you consider the reality that these soldiers were wielded as a force of control this illusion is dispelled, with such events as the Amritsar Massacre showing the intent of the British to increase their influence in India(Gandhi). This system was not benevolent, this training not helpful. Indians were being used as a source of

Unfortunately, they had little power to fight back due to holding a minority of important positions in governing as the British instituted cruel laws. Taxing and extracting from India was the purpose of this venture which tore India into two nations, and deteriorated the land. To quote Dr. Lalvani in reference to the imperialism of India, “The sheer audacity and scale of such an endeavor, the courage and enterprise have no parallel in history.” Ostensibly, there is a fine line between enterprise and greed, and one may cover up the other when it must. Greed, that most distinct corruption, which has sabotaged the unity of our species more times than is estimable, and which to the this day is shaping the face of India, as well as the rest of our