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South Asia: Development and Colonial Impact

The document summarizes the key features of modern South Asian nations and the changing social, cultural, political and economic patterns in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It discusses the geography and diversity of the region. It then outlines the history of British colonialism in South Asia, from the initial presence of the British East India Company as traders in 1600 to their gradual ascendancy and administrative control over India. It notes some impacts of British colonialism such as the drain of wealth from India to Britain, the introduction of English education and exposure to new ideas, and development of infrastructure like railways while also fostering anti-British sentiment and a sense of national unity.

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32 views3 pages

South Asia: Development and Colonial Impact

The document summarizes the key features of modern South Asian nations and the changing social, cultural, political and economic patterns in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It discusses the geography and diversity of the region. It then outlines the history of British colonialism in South Asia, from the initial presence of the British East India Company as traders in 1600 to their gradual ascendancy and administrative control over India. It notes some impacts of British colonialism such as the drain of wealth from India to Britain, the introduction of English education and exposure to new ideas, and development of infrastructure like railways while also fostering anti-British sentiment and a sense of national unity.

Uploaded by

wanlinggg
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SN1101E

AIM:
 Significant features of modern development of South Asian nations
(Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka)

 Changing patterns of life (social, cultural, political, and economic) of people in the seven
nation-states.

Lecture 1:
South Asian Region and its Diversity
Geography
Geography can have a significant effect on the overall development of human cultures.
The availability of water for agriculture, productivity of soils and topography of land can force
humans to adapt themselves to the geographical conditions of a given area.
Geopolitical Realities:
Physical features
Political features
Location and Climate
Diverse Languages and scripts
Imperialist Motives: British Colonialism in South Asia
The coming of British in India

 Initially as traders (British Trading presence from 1600)


 East India Company (EIC) monopoly trade with India and the East
 India, an ideal market for sourcing the raw materials as well as selling finished
products necessary for Industrial Revolution in Europe
Gradual ascendency of British  From Traders to Imperialists
1. EIC gradually assumed administrative control

 EIC also needed to finance wars in India and abroad, maintain armies, naval
forces, forts and trading ports in India

2. The Battle of Plassey (1757) – Significant English Victory


 Conquest from 1757 onwards
 Battle of Plassey and English EIC’s effective control over Bengal.
Bengal’s revenues were used to purchase Bengal’s goods as well as to finance colonial
conquests in other parts of India.

 Consolidation (1820 onwards)

 Supremacy (1858 onwards)


Indian Mutiny of 1857 + Further administrative consolidation by the British

 British Colonization of India

Impact of British Colonialism on South Asia


 Drain of Wealth
EIC used political power to acquire monopolistic control over Indian trade and production
 Gradual decline of indigenous industries
 Commercialization of agriculture
 Propagating free trade
 Indian wealth financed British capitalist development – approx. 2% of British national income
Reversing the order:
Initially (1750 – 1800), India’s industrial potential was several times higher than that of British
but (1860 – 1900), British’s industrial potential became much higher than India’s.
 English education
 Exposure to liberal ideologies and democratic principles
 Social Reform Movements backed by legal sanctions
 Railways, telegraphs (enhanced transport and communication networks)
 Developing a sense of unity and nationhood (Anti-British?)

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