Discuss the western and indian viewpoints on the impact of colonial rule
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The Western/British point of view on colonialism is very different from the Indian perspective. Even int he British camp, people have varying opinions on the subject but lets discuss this one by one.
Western/British viewpoint:
The British colonialism grew when they saw Spain and Portugal building large overseas empires and becoming affluent and wealthy nations. Britain wanted to make something like that for themselves and eventually went on a mission which resulted in the largest Empire the world had ever seen.
Britain's colonialism was all about trade, building new markets for export and finding new raw materials for import. This goal eventually put them head to head with local leaders and regional powers, which eventually lead the British to control all international waterways.
The British used the idea of 'White man's burden' to further their case, the idea being that it was only the British White man, who can go around the world and bring technology and culture to other countries where 'primitive' people lived.
Many in Britain still believe that the lasting legacies of Colonialism are the grow of National Republic Democracies such as the United States, the establishment of English as a lingua franca, the development of education around the world, the standardized of morals, ethics and law etc.
They believe India's ports, railways, electricity, education, language and democracy are all legacies of the British which shows the positive impact of the British Empire.
The Indian viewpoint:
The Indian view point states the India was itself a very rich and highly advanced society until the British came. It was multi cultural, multi-ethinic, with advanced armies, social programs and some of the world's oldest education institutes.
The British came and they destroyed a 500 year old Mughal empire, killed the family members, introduced their language and laws effectively changing the Indian life forever.
They also point to the numerous atrocities committed by the british including mass rapes of women and millions of people who died standing up to the British.
The British government was also involved in creating many local conflicts both, when they ruled the sub-continent and after they left, in the form of problems ont he Duran line between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Kashmir issue
Western/British viewpoint:
The British colonialism grew when they saw Spain and Portugal building large overseas empires and becoming affluent and wealthy nations. Britain wanted to make something like that for themselves and eventually went on a mission which resulted in the largest Empire the world had ever seen.
Britain's colonialism was all about trade, building new markets for export and finding new raw materials for import. This goal eventually put them head to head with local leaders and regional powers, which eventually lead the British to control all international waterways.
The British used the idea of 'White man's burden' to further their case, the idea being that it was only the British White man, who can go around the world and bring technology and culture to other countries where 'primitive' people lived.
Many in Britain still believe that the lasting legacies of Colonialism are the grow of National Republic Democracies such as the United States, the establishment of English as a lingua franca, the development of education around the world, the standardized of morals, ethics and law etc.
They believe India's ports, railways, electricity, education, language and democracy are all legacies of the British which shows the positive impact of the British Empire.
The Indian viewpoint:
The Indian view point states the India was itself a very rich and highly advanced society until the British came. It was multi cultural, multi-ethinic, with advanced armies, social programs and some of the world's oldest education institutes.
The British came and they destroyed a 500 year old Mughal empire, killed the family members, introduced their language and laws effectively changing the Indian life forever.
They also point to the numerous atrocities committed by the british including mass rapes of women and millions of people who died standing up to the British.
The British government was also involved in creating many local conflicts both, when they ruled the sub-continent and after they left, in the form of problems ont he Duran line between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Kashmir issue
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