Chalrise Jones
Chapter 5
European Heritage and Colonial Experience
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.
India was the first major Asian civilizations to fall victim to European predatory activities. With conquering India, the British had various purposes behind it. Their main purpose was to achieve a monopolistic trading position (The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India). The second purpose was the control of India; this was a key element in the world power structure, in terms of geography, logistics and military manpower (The Economic and Social Impact of Colonial Rule in India). When the East India Company continued to trade under the British, huge armies were created, largely composed of Indian sepoys . The armies were used to defend the Company’s territories protect the Indian states .
With major control over India, the British used a combination of firepower & guile to consolidate their power over the country by expanding from their base areas along the coast into the interior . Some territories were also taken over the privately run East India Company, which at the time was given authority to administer Asian territories under British occupation, while others were ruled by local maharajas . British governance brought order and stability to a society that had recently been wrecked by the wars from the different empires.
Since the British wanted to reform India, they relatively did bring some benefits to the Indians. Education, which was not very important until the British, established a new school system. The British also outlawed sati, the cremation of a widow on her husband’s...