The British were on a cultural mission in India in addition to their commercial and territorial ambitions. Talk about it. (Answer in 250 words)
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The British had come to India with the idea of making immense commercial profits. The fine qualities of cotton and silk produced in India had a big market in Europe. Pepper, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon too were in great demand. They, therefore, engaged in fierce battles to get hold of the territories, since colonies would yield higher profits for them. Apart from the commercial and territorial interests, they also felt that they had a cultural mission to “civilise the natives”. The British felt that Western ideals were ‘superior’, discounting India’s own rich traditions and that it was their moral responsibility of the superior to uplift and civilize the inferior.
This notion was exhibited in their following imperialist strategies: Education Policy:
Social and Cultural Policies:
The British intervention in social life led to elimination of some of the most inhuman social practices like sati, female Infanticide, slavery etc. through legislation. However, the modernisation sought to be achieved was mainly guided by their economic interest and superiority complex. Although the British talked about introducing reforms, in reality very few half-hearted measures were taken. Pragmatic considerations of not provoking wide scale resentment and revolt acted as severe constraint in the wholesale application of Western ideals on India.