How has colonialism impacted our lives? You can either focus on one aspect like culture or politics or treat them together.
Answers
The colonial experience is quite significant for understanding modern India not only because the modern ideas and Institutions reached India through colonialism but also because the exposure to such modern ideas are self-contradictory. The colonialism has affected almost all the spheres of Indian society. The political and cultural impact of colonialism in India is being discussed below -
1. Our parliamentary system, legal system, police, and educational system are very much built on the British model. For example
a. We drive on left side of road
b. Foods like bread-omelet, cutlets are offered in many food joints
c. Famous biscuit "Britannia" is named after Britain
d. The uniforms of many educational institutions include neckties
2. The English language also holds an important place in India.
a. It has given an edge in the Global market to Indians
b. It is a prestigious symbol if one is fluent in English
c. Lack of knowledge of English (speaking and writing) also affects the job opportunities adversely.
3. Colonialism led to mobility among people. People started to move from one part to another within India to settle themselves in a better way.
4. Our major source of Law is the English Law.
answer
Zigya Logo
Structural Change
Zigya App
How has colonialism affected our lives? You can either focus on one aspact like culture or politics or treat them together.
Impact of colonialism of our life: Before August 1947, India was a colony of Britain. British colonialism had greatly influence the lives of the Indian culturally as well as politically.
(a) Some cultural impact in field of ideas and philosophy:
(i) Many modern ideas and institutions reached India through colonialism. Due to colonialism the Indians experience exposure to modern ideas which was contradictory or paradoxical.
Example: Indians in the colonial period read about western liberalism and freedom. Yet they lived under a western, colonial rule that denied Indians liberty and freedom. It is contradictions of this kind that shaped many of the structural and cultural changes.
(b) Some social Impacts: Our social organisation, social reform, our industry, our agriculture, our cities, towns and villages were affected due to colonialism. For example: Diet and food manners of the Indians were affected due to British rule. We have ‘bread-omelette’ and ‘cutlets’ as menu offered in many roadside eateries and canteens A very popular manufacturer of biscuits, is actually named after Britain. Many school uniforms include neck-ties.
(c) Some Political Impacts: Politically India was affected greatly due to colonialism-India had all types of adverse political effects nearly for 190 (1754-1947). However, these were some good political experience gained by the Indian during period of colonialism.
For example: Indians in the colonial period read about western liberalism and freedom. Our nationalist movement, our several acts and laws, our political system and our constitution had been shaped by our paradoxical experience with colonialism. We have a parliamentary and a legal system, a police and educational system built very much on the British Model. We drive on the left side of the road like the British.