Colonial India

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of colonization in India from English colonization until today. Specifically, the paper discusses whether colonialism was a better alternative for India. The paper concludes that India's plight during British colonization left it far behind in technology and modern conveniences once it finally did gain independence. Still, overall, it has been much better for India to lead itself and create a democracy, even though its independence has led to some political unrest and strife.

From the Paper:

"While the British took over control of India in the early 19th century, it was not until 1857 and the Rebellion of 1857 that it became formal. In actuality, India was relatively profitable and successful before the English colonization. They were growing agriculturally and economically, and it was not until after the British took over that some of the legendary famines of Bengal and northern India occurred. Two historians note, "Overall, a favourable land-labour ratio had enabled highly mobile peasant and tribal labour to negotiate reasonable terms with controllers of land" (Bose, and Jalal 43). Essentially, India was becoming financially and politically strong when the English took over, and the British used that to their own advantage. Historians Bose and Jlal continue, "European dominance over external trade and shipping, and hence over long distance cash flows, as well as their slight edge in military technology, contributed to the wrecking of the eighteenth-century Indian regional state system" (Bose, and Jalal 46)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bose, Sugata, and Ayesha Jalal. Modern South Asia: History, Culture, Political Economy. New York: Routledge, 2003.
• Lal, Vinay. "British India." University of California Los Angeles. 2005. 15 Feb. 2008.<http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/British/BrIndia.html>

More papers on Colonial India:

• Analytical Essay # 130412 : "Modernity and Post-Colonial India"
• Essay # 138035 : "British Children, Colonial India & Literature."
• Research Paper # 100211 : "Modernity and Post-Colonial India"
• Research Paper # 75200 : "Famine and Disease in British Colonial India"

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