The British Raj refers to British rule over India from 1858 to 1947. While it brought political unity and improved infrastructure like railroads and schools, it also negatively divided the nation with the creation of Pakistan, caused economic issues, and violated citizens' rights by not allowing Indians to serve in their own government. Overall, the British rule had both benefits like increased education but also costs to the long-term stability and autonomy of India.

1. Imperialism: The British Raj
By Aishwarya Nag

2. Introduction
The British Raj is another term used to describe Britain’s
imperial rule over India.
It lasted from 1858 to 1947 (89 years)
Although originally under the control of the East India
Company, Indian eventually came under the control of the
Crown.
The British divided India into two main states – the Union
of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.
The British rule affected India in both positive and negative
ways.

3. The British Raj:
Positive impacts

4. Unity
The British rule, although it divided India into two
states actually brought about political unity after
decades of squabbling amongst states/kingdoms.
As the common enemy became the British, Indian
people were able to unite for a cause – their freedom.
The introduction of the sport cricket, also promoted
unity amongst Indians.

5. Improved Infrastructure
The British introduced the railroad to India.
They helped build a railroad system, and till today it is
one of the most-used forms of public transportation,
especially for long-distance trips.

6. Education
Many elementary and middle schools were opened
during the Raj. The typical student body, however,
was all-male.
Many universities were also opened.
This helped for more higher jobs and a professional
bureaucracy was created.
Although learning English was stressed, students
tended to be nationalistic.

7. Intro to Industry
Before British rule, India had been a primarily
agriculturally-based nation.
The British Raj allowed for industry to come into
existence by introducing it to India and allowing it to
grow, what with the Industrial Revolution.

8. The Economy
Because India was a ‘colony’ of
England, their economy was
tied to India’s economy.
Infrastructural and
technological development
helped improve the economy.
Mercantilism was a major
economic policy.
Taxes generally decreased
during the course of the rule
and this allowed for the GDP of
India to rise.

9. New Middle Class
A new middle class emerged during this time.
This middle class was politically represented by the
Indian National Congress, which was also created
during this time.

10. Reform for Women
Abolished practice of ‘sati’,
in which Hindu widows
would sacrifice themselves
by joining their deceased
husband on his funeral pyre.
(This practice was more
socially expected in older
times.)
Allowed for widow re-
marriage to occur, which
although frowned upon by
society, was now legal.

11. The British Raj:
Negative impacts

12. Division of Land
Pakistan and Bangladesh, once
parts of India, became
separate nations afterwards.
This was negative, because
Pakistan and India clashed
(due in part to religion). There
still exist border disputes today
and those areas of India are
particularly unsafe.
Ex. The state of Kashmir in
India is still fought over.

13. Economic Drain
During British rule, many specialized workers lost
their jobs, due to the fact that many industries that
had previously existed were no longer available after
industrialization.
After the British rule, India experience an economic
drain that remained for an extended period of time.

14. Violation of Rights
As Indian citizens, the Indian people had a right to
serve in their government, which they were denied
during the British Raj.
Mahatma Gandhi spoke out against this.
He seemed to state that although it seemed as
though the British had only benefitted India, there
were other such ‘implications’ that violated the rights
of citizens.

15. The British Raj:
Some Changes

16. Religion/Political Unity
Today Hinduism is the main religion in India.
However before the British rule, this was not so. Muslims
existed in the country in larger numbers, and there still
existed clashes between the two in several states. Plus,
the states and kingdoms in India were highly divided then.
The dominance of the British helped unite the country to a
certain extent, enough to allow for Hinduism to become
the dominant religion and to allow for some unity in India
to exist.
Whether or not this unity exists today is debatable.