Rise of Imperialism in India - Essay Example

? History Rise of Imperialism in India The British India Company began fomenting its presence in India during the early 18th centuryby slowly and steadily instilling ‘company rule’ within the Mughal Empire (Page, 2003).The East India company policy had initially been centered on trade of cotton fabric that was being exported to Britain for manufacture of dressings and furnishings. In the mid 18th century, the company administrators did not take interest in establishing military or political dominion over India. However, a change of tact was eminent and instigated by several changes in scenarios that revolved local political, social and economic paradigms in India. Foremost, the Mughal Empire had collapsed and regional states had taken centre stage (Page, 2003). As a result, thirst for power by political contestants took center stage as they sought to consolidate power in coastal states through support from the Company administrators. Second, trade rivalries between the British and French prompted each one to build alliances with opponent political groups for purposes of extracting maximum benefits for their respective trade companies (Page, 2003). Furthermore, the personal ambitions of amassing wealth were at play in the company’s political involvement. However, one event proved vital in establishing company rule. It was the British victory over the French in Southeast India and consequent fomenting of their presence in Bengal (Page, 2003). Consequently, the company created Indian Sepoy armies that were used to gradually gain economic control over the expansive Indian territory and dismantling any forms of resistance (Page, 2003). The British vision for India was one whereby the population was unified in speaking one language. Consequently, from 1818 to 1857, the company rule enforced social reforms and government policies based on British values. The company rule faced rebellion from the indigenous Hindus and Indians. It was known as the Sepoy rebellion of 1857. The rebellion was precipitated by several factors that were instigated by the British company. First, the Indians were offended by the apparent efforts by the British to convert them to Christianity. Second, the Indians were angered by the British efforts to instill social change by ending slavery and improving the social status of women in households. However, the boiling point arose when the Sepoy soldiers were forced to bite cartridges that were oiled with animal fat before loading them in their guns (Page, 2003). Apparently, the animal fat used was an affront to Hindu religion since it was derived from pig and cow fat. Consequently, the aggrieved Sepoys rebelled against the British soldiers and the rebellion spurned across Central and Northern India (Page, 2003). However, the rebellion was defeated by the British army and the aftermath was burnt down villages, loss of innocent Indian lives and a wave of mistrust between the Indians and British. As a result, the British changed tact by removing the company rule and establishing a British Colony in India (Page, 2003). However, a wave of Indian nationalism led by rising middle class nationals started to agitate for Indian independence from Britain. One such movement was the Indian National congress that espoused political unity in the push for independence by 1914. B. Comparison of Tactics The Indian Independence Movement employed a non violent resistance against the British colonial rule. It was led by the revolutionary leader, Mahatma Gandhi. The movement preached a united and non violent Indian resistance against the British rule. Mahatma Gandhi drew his method of non violence from the philosophical tactics employed by Baba Ram Singh during the Kuka Movement of 1870s (Page, 2003).The resistance came after a backdrop of issues that the colonial government was perpetrating against the Indians. First, the British had divided the India into regions classified as the Princely states and British India (Page, 2003). The Britons had devised the partitioning as a tool for division and conquering the Indian populace. Furthermore, the Indians had grown increasingly frustrated with the colonial administration that had denied them their political, cultural and civil freedom through the Rowlatt Act. Consequently, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian Independence Movement led a non violent resistance against British dominion. The movement’s non violent struggle for independence was guided by two major philosophies. First was the Swadeshi philosophy which directed the Indians to solely buy and sell Indian products locally (Page, 2003). All Indians were encouraged to avoid the purchase of products made in British factories. As a result the British textile industry was severely weakened and the Indian populace grew more independent economically. The second philosophy was known as Satygraha that was founded on the precincts of truth and standing firm (Page, 2003). It was the foundation of the non violent resistance against the unjust treatment and laws by their colonial masters. Consequently, the movement engaged in the willful breaking of unjust laws and abided by the punishment imposed. The main aim was to reveal the truth of the injustice imposed by the colonial masters. Moreover, the movement employed tactics such as organized protest marches, e.g the Salt March (Page, 2003). Furthermore they engaged in civil disobedience such as sit in strikes and mass fasting. Consequently, the Indian Independent Movement was able to achieve independence from the British colonial rule. On the other hand, the Russian revolution of 1917 was a violent revolution led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks against the Russian Provisional government (Craig, 2005). The tactics employed involved the seizure of and control of important cities such as Moscow. Furthermore, they captured communication installations such as telephone and telegraph machinery. This tactic aided in the breaking of communication between the Provisional government and outside loyal forces. Moreover they took control over St. Petersburg and garnered the support of the Russian military (Craig, 2005). Lastly, they arrested the loyalist Provisional government members and declared their control over the government. However, the revolution encountered several resistances in its quest to foment a new government. For example, Kerensky from the former provisional government raised a resistance army against the new government (Craig, 2005).The Russian revolution was able to accomplish several of the goals although briefly. Key among them was the dismantling of the monarch government and establishing of communist rule. Furthermore, the oppressed citizens were able to achieve self determination as a fundamental right. In addition, the communist rule was able to repeal the laws against homosexuality and abortion (Craig, 2005). Moreover, a new workers state that empowered them with more control was achieved by the workers union. However, the revolution was short lived due invasions from the other countries that dismantled the workers state, and aftermath of war and famine. Furthermore, bureaucrats such as Joseph Stalin fought to control power on the dismantled worker state and re established a capitalistic state with hierarchical structures (Craig, 2005). References Craig, J. (2005, April 18). The 1917 Russian Revolution. Socialist Democracy. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.socialistdemocracy.org/History/HistoryThe1917RussianRevolution.html Page, M. E. (2003). Colonialism: an international, social, cultural, and political encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Cal.: ABC-CLIO. Read More