The British East India Company made significant reforms in India during the 18th and 19th centuries in several areas: 1. Education - They established universities, introduced English as the medium of instruction, and aimed to create an English-educated Indian society. 2. Social and legal - They banned practices like sati, female infanticide, and slavery and passed acts allowing widow remarriage. 3. Transportation - They invested heavily in railroads, establishing over 4,000 miles of track by 1869 to facilitate trade and troop movement. 4. Postal and communication - They opened the postal system to the public and introduced the telegraph in 1853. 5. Administration - They established the Indian

1. British Colonialism in Greater
India

2. • The British rule over India was characterized
by Oppression in general. But, was there any
good that came out due to the British?
Ans: They did make some positive reforms.

3. EIC reforms in India
• By the early 18th Century, EIC had become the
most powerful territorial, political and military
force in India. As such they were in a position to
make significant reforms in this region. These
reforms were associated with
– 1. Education System
– 2. Social and Legal System
– 3. Transportation System
– 4. Postal and communication system
– 5. Administration System

4. Education Reforms
• The British made significant reforms to the education system of India.
• Initially, the education system of India was dependent upon Pathshalas and
Madrasas with hindi, Sanskrit, farsi as the medium of instruction.
• In 1835, an act was passed making English as the medium of instruction and
English was made the official language in 1844. Declaration was given that
individuals having good English language skill will get preference in govt. jobs.
• In 1857, universities were established in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. In
1858, Bankim Chandra became one of the first two graduates of Calcutta
university.
• In 1921, University of Dhaka was established. The initiative was supported by
Lord Curzon.
• Western education, promoted by the british, was aimed at creating a society
which would be “Indian in blood and color, but English in taste, opinions,
morals and intellect”.
• However, opposite happened. Indians became familiar with the work of John
locke, Adam Smith, Jeremy Bentham etc. and their concepts of freedom,
liberty, equality and democracy.

5. Social and Legal reforms
• The British made some notable reforms in the
social and legal system of India. For example:
– In 1829, “Sati” or “Satidaho” was made illegal and
punishable by law
– Female infanticide was banned.
– Slavery was made illegal
– In 1856, widow remarriage act was passed
through the advocacy of Iswar Chandra Bidyasagar
– “Bali” or Child sacrifice to appease the gods was
banned

6. Reforms in Transportation system
• British invested heavily in improving the transportation
infrastructure of India (mainly to support its trading
activities).
• Steamliner ships were introduced.
• Dalhousie is credited with the introduction of
railways in India. The first railway line was laid in
1853 between Bombay and Thane. The railways
increased the volume of trade. It was easy for the
British to send troops, goods and raw materials
easily from one place to another.
• By 1869, over 4000 miles of railline was laid. Infact,
india boasts one of the best rail networks in Asia.

7. Reforms in Postal and Communication
System
• Warren Hastings (Governor General of British
India from 1773-1784) opened the posts to
the public in March 1774. Prior to this the
main purpose of the postal system had been
to serve the commercial interests of the East
India Company. However, Serving economic
and political needs of the ruling authority
remained a driving force in the development
of the postal service.
• Telegraph was introduced in 1853.

8. Administrative reforms
• The British raj has established the ICS (Indian
Civil Service).
• However, there is criticism of appointing high
caste individuals in the ICS and those loyal to
the British raj.