British Imperialism on India. Essay Example

British imperialism had a large impact on India. The original intentions of the British were to bring India together as one by establishing a population that spoke the same language as their ruler but the British decision to educate the Indians with English as the language of learning was the beginning of a long chain of events. That included a rise in Indian nationalism that led to Indian resentment of British imperialism and in the end, the loss of British control over India.

The British establishing English as a unifying language was an important factor in their loss of control over India. India was very much multi-lingual therefore the English language was a common thing for Indians. Even though it was mainly the educated Indians of a more privileged caste who spoke the English language, they were the most important people in terms of nationalist ideas now being able to be communicated throughout the India population. Magazine and journals in English were a great influence on the rise of Indian nationalism.

By European principles in the political area being brought to India by the British, political and social reform in India was able to be achieved. The western education led to Indians coming across European principles (human rights, freedom of speech, liberalism, etc.) That was a contrast though to the imperialism practiced by the British in India. One third of the subcontinent was ruled by Indian princes, but under the supervision of the British. The rest were controlled by the Viceroy (administered by roughly one thousand members of the civil service). So the knowledge of principles such as autonomy and freedom led to many Indians wanting the same thing for their own nation since it appeared to them that the world's most powerful nations were those who were self-governing democracies which was obviously a successful system. Part of their desires also came from the Indians wanting their native religion and customs to be respected.

The Indian