👨⚖️Policies of British Empire In India:
Orientalism
Classical Liberalism
Utilitarianism
Evangelicalism
&
Various reasons for its introduction in India.
A Thread
🧵:
Orientalism
Classical Liberalism
Utilitarianism
Evangelicalism
&
Various reasons for its introduction in India.
A Thread
🧵:
1. Orientalism
Belief in the inherent superiority of Western culture and civilization over Eastern cultures. This led to the British seeing themselves as having a civilizing mission to uplift India.
Emphasis on the study of Eastern languages and cultures. This led to the establishment of institutions like Fort William College in Calcutta, which was founded in 1799 to train British officials in Indian languages and culture.
Patronage of Oriental scholars. This led to the production of a large body of scholarship on India, which often reinforced Orientalist stereotypes.
Belief in the inherent superiority of Western culture and civilization over Eastern cultures. This led to the British seeing themselves as having a civilizing mission to uplift India.
Emphasis on the study of Eastern languages and cultures. This led to the establishment of institutions like Fort William College in Calcutta, which was founded in 1799 to train British officials in Indian languages and culture.
Patronage of Oriental scholars. This led to the production of a large body of scholarship on India, which often reinforced Orientalist stereotypes.
2. Classical Liberalism
Belief in the free market and laissez-faire economics. This led to the British government largely withdrawing from the Indian economy, except for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.
Advocacy for individual liberty and limited government. This led to the gradual expansion of civil liberties in India, such as the freedom of speech and the press.
Support for representative government and democracy. This led to the establishment of a number of representative institutions in India, such as the Governor-General's Council and the Legislative Councils.
Belief in the free market and laissez-faire economics. This led to the British government largely withdrawing from the Indian economy, except for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.
Advocacy for individual liberty and limited government. This led to the gradual expansion of civil liberties in India, such as the freedom of speech and the press.
Support for representative government and democracy. This led to the establishment of a number of representative institutions in India, such as the Governor-General's Council and the Legislative Councils.
3. Utilitarianism
Belief in the greatest happiness of the greatest number. This led to the British government implementing a number of policies aimed at improving the welfare of the Indian people, such as building roads and railways, establishing schools and hospitals, and reforming the criminal justice system.
Emphasis on efficiency and rationality. This led to the British government centralizing power and introducing a number of administrative reforms.
Belief in the importance of education. This led to the British government expanding access to education for Indians, particularly in English.
Belief in the greatest happiness of the greatest number. This led to the British government implementing a number of policies aimed at improving the welfare of the Indian people, such as building roads and railways, establishing schools and hospitals, and reforming the criminal justice system.
Emphasis on efficiency and rationality. This led to the British government centralizing power and introducing a number of administrative reforms.
Belief in the importance of education. This led to the British government expanding access to education for Indians, particularly in English.
4. Evangelicalism
Belief in the importance of spreading Christianity. This led to the British government allowing Christian missionaries to operate in India.
Advocacy for social reform. This led to the British government passing a number of laws aimed at reforming Indian society, such as abolishing sati (widow burning) and child marriage.
Emphasis on education and moral uplift. This led to the British government establishing a number of schools and colleges in India, which often had a strong Christian religious component.
Belief in the importance of spreading Christianity. This led to the British government allowing Christian missionaries to operate in India.
Advocacy for social reform. This led to the British government passing a number of laws aimed at reforming Indian society, such as abolishing sati (widow burning) and child marriage.
Emphasis on education and moral uplift. This led to the British government establishing a number of schools and colleges in India, which often had a strong Christian religious component.
🟢 Reasons for the introduction of these policies:
☑️ The need to consolidate British rule in India. After the British East India Company was dissolved in 1858, the British government took direct control of India.
☑️ The British government needed to implement a number of policies in order to maintain control over India and prevent rebellion.
☑️ The desire to modernize India. The British believed that India was a backward and underdeveloped country. They believed that it was their duty to modernize India and bring it up to the level of Western countries.
☑️ The rise of new ideologies in England. The rise of new ideologies such as liberalism, utilitarianism, and evangelicalism in England in the 18th and 19th centuries influenced the British government's policies in India.
☑️ The need to consolidate British rule in India. After the British East India Company was dissolved in 1858, the British government took direct control of India.
☑️ The British government needed to implement a number of policies in order to maintain control over India and prevent rebellion.
☑️ The desire to modernize India. The British believed that India was a backward and underdeveloped country. They believed that it was their duty to modernize India and bring it up to the level of Western countries.
☑️ The rise of new ideologies in England. The rise of new ideologies such as liberalism, utilitarianism, and evangelicalism in England in the 18th and 19th centuries influenced the British government's policies in India.
🟢 Short-term and long-term implications of these policies:
1. Orientalism
👉 Short-term: Reinforced Orientalist stereotypes of India as a backward and inferior country.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of Indian nationalism and a sense of cultural identity distinct from the West.
2. Classical Liberalism
👉 Short-term: Led to economic growth and the development of a market economy in India.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of a capitalist class in India.
1. Orientalism
👉 Short-term: Reinforced Orientalist stereotypes of India as a backward and inferior country.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of Indian nationalism and a sense of cultural identity distinct from the West.
2. Classical Liberalism
👉 Short-term: Led to economic growth and the development of a market economy in India.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of a capitalist class in India.
3. Utilitarianism
👉 Short-term: Improved the welfare of some Indians, such as by building roads and railways and establishing schools and hospitals.
👉 Long-term: Led to the centralization of power in the British government and eroded Indian autonomy.
4. Evangelicalism
👉 Short-term: Introduced Christianity to India and led to some conversions.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of Indian Christianity and a sense of Christian identity.
Conclusion
👉 Short-term: Improved the welfare of some Indians, such as by building roads and railways and establishing schools and hospitals.
👉 Long-term: Led to the centralization of power in the British government and eroded Indian autonomy.
4. Evangelicalism
👉 Short-term: Introduced Christianity to India and led to some conversions.
👉 Long-term: Contributed to the development of Indian Christianity and a sense of Christian identity.
Conclusion
The British policies of Orientalism, Classical Liberalism, Utilitarianism, and Evangelicalism had a profound impact on India. These policies had both positive and negative effects, and their legacy continues to be debated today.
Very important for UPSC Prelims 2024.
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Very important for UPSC Prelims 2024.
For more such content,
Do follow @Rajmalhotrachd
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