Notes: Impact of Colonial Rule of Indian Society | Sociology Mains Optional for UPSC 2024 PDF Download

 Page 1


 
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A 2 Impact of colonial rule on Indian society: 
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism. 
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition. 
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period. 
(d) Social reforms. 
 
Social background of Indian Nationalism -> 
Nationalist - Nation always existed, Urban MC seeking reforms 
Marxist 
Sub – Altern - Nation was imposed by MC 
 
Role of western education  
Social Reform Movement  
Women  
Various castes  
Tribals  
Various religions  
Rural-Urban  
Role of Diaspora 
Vivekanand & Caliph - Role of Religion - Led to Partition 
 
Different theoretical strands to study SBIN. 
 
Nationalist – Ranade, Pt. Nehru, NK dutt, KN Pannikar. 
            - Indian Nationalism product of urban English educated middle class seeking reforms in social 
instis. 
            - Promoting territorial integration,  
            - stimulating mass minds. 
            - They consider congress and INM integral for rise of N in india. 
 
 
Page 2


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
A 2 Impact of colonial rule on Indian society: 
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism. 
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition. 
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period. 
(d) Social reforms. 
 
Social background of Indian Nationalism -> 
Nationalist - Nation always existed, Urban MC seeking reforms 
Marxist 
Sub – Altern - Nation was imposed by MC 
 
Role of western education  
Social Reform Movement  
Women  
Various castes  
Tribals  
Various religions  
Rural-Urban  
Role of Diaspora 
Vivekanand & Caliph - Role of Religion - Led to Partition 
 
Different theoretical strands to study SBIN. 
 
Nationalist – Ranade, Pt. Nehru, NK dutt, KN Pannikar. 
            - Indian Nationalism product of urban English educated middle class seeking reforms in social 
instis. 
            - Promoting territorial integration,  
            - stimulating mass minds. 
            - They consider congress and INM integral for rise of N in india. 
 
 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
AR Desai (Marxist point of view) - 
- Opposite to the above view.   
- Economic MOP influenced the political superstructure and mobilization. 
- Indian Nationalism in 5 distinct phases. With each phase social base broadened. 
- He writes - Prior to British, Nationalism was absent in India as ppl lived in dispersed villages.  
Earlier rulers including Mughals did not touch village autonomy and were thus not revolted against. 
 
Divides the SBIN in 5 phases –  
(1800 – 1850 | 1850 – 1888 | 1888 – 1905 | 1905 – 1920 | 1920 – 1940) 
 
First phase  – Intro of British & related beginning education, policies etc.  
1) Peasant suppression Rise of intelligential Reform movements | Narrow social base of 
nationalism  
 
Intro of British brought – i) large body of tax collectors. ii) Middle-men. iii) Police. iv) Disinterested 
bureaucracy. v) Cash Transactions. Thus peasant started to get suppressed. 
 
Also, rise of Intelligentsia product of modern education imparted by british. Raja Ram Mohan Roy & 
co. pioneers of the concept of Indian N. They initiated socio-reform and religio-reform movmnts. N 
had narrow social base. Arya samaj, brahmosamaj etc beginning to operationalise. 
 
Second Phase  – Destruction of indigenous industries Peasants & dethroned feudal lords led to 1857 
Religious reasons as well | It was a war b/w declining feudalism & rising capitalism  
Colonial infra consolidated Destroying indigenous industry & related consequences 1857 revolt. 
Colonial powers consolidated. Expnsn of rail, ports, telephony etc. Intro of british goods destroyed 
indigenous industries. Rise of mass poverty, debt trap, forced eviction. Peasants in diff parts 
supported by dethroned feudal lords led to 1857. 
 
Third Phase  – Indian Bourgeoisie encouraged middle class to protest in order to project their 
interest Rise of INC  
Rise of various trusts. 80% of British origin. Monopolising manufacturing and marketing. Indian 
industries absolutely collapsed. Very few (12) Indian industrialists. They organized revolt to protect 
their class interst. Funded, encouraged, patronized Indian middle class to organize protests against 
british. Rise of congress and acceleration of Indian N. 
Page 3


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
A 2 Impact of colonial rule on Indian society: 
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism. 
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition. 
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period. 
(d) Social reforms. 
 
Social background of Indian Nationalism -> 
Nationalist - Nation always existed, Urban MC seeking reforms 
Marxist 
Sub – Altern - Nation was imposed by MC 
 
Role of western education  
Social Reform Movement  
Women  
Various castes  
Tribals  
Various religions  
Rural-Urban  
Role of Diaspora 
Vivekanand & Caliph - Role of Religion - Led to Partition 
 
Different theoretical strands to study SBIN. 
 
Nationalist – Ranade, Pt. Nehru, NK dutt, KN Pannikar. 
            - Indian Nationalism product of urban English educated middle class seeking reforms in social 
instis. 
            - Promoting territorial integration,  
            - stimulating mass minds. 
            - They consider congress and INM integral for rise of N in india. 
 
 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
AR Desai (Marxist point of view) - 
- Opposite to the above view.   
- Economic MOP influenced the political superstructure and mobilization. 
- Indian Nationalism in 5 distinct phases. With each phase social base broadened. 
- He writes - Prior to British, Nationalism was absent in India as ppl lived in dispersed villages.  
Earlier rulers including Mughals did not touch village autonomy and were thus not revolted against. 
 
Divides the SBIN in 5 phases –  
(1800 – 1850 | 1850 – 1888 | 1888 – 1905 | 1905 – 1920 | 1920 – 1940) 
 
First phase  – Intro of British & related beginning education, policies etc.  
1) Peasant suppression Rise of intelligential Reform movements | Narrow social base of 
nationalism  
 
Intro of British brought – i) large body of tax collectors. ii) Middle-men. iii) Police. iv) Disinterested 
bureaucracy. v) Cash Transactions. Thus peasant started to get suppressed. 
 
Also, rise of Intelligentsia product of modern education imparted by british. Raja Ram Mohan Roy & 
co. pioneers of the concept of Indian N. They initiated socio-reform and religio-reform movmnts. N 
had narrow social base. Arya samaj, brahmosamaj etc beginning to operationalise. 
 
Second Phase  – Destruction of indigenous industries Peasants & dethroned feudal lords led to 1857 
Religious reasons as well | It was a war b/w declining feudalism & rising capitalism  
Colonial infra consolidated Destroying indigenous industry & related consequences 1857 revolt. 
Colonial powers consolidated. Expnsn of rail, ports, telephony etc. Intro of british goods destroyed 
indigenous industries. Rise of mass poverty, debt trap, forced eviction. Peasants in diff parts 
supported by dethroned feudal lords led to 1857. 
 
Third Phase  – Indian Bourgeoisie encouraged middle class to protest in order to project their 
interest Rise of INC  
Rise of various trusts. 80% of British origin. Monopolising manufacturing and marketing. Indian 
industries absolutely collapsed. Very few (12) Indian industrialists. They organized revolt to protect 
their class interst. Funded, encouraged, patronized Indian middle class to organize protests against 
british. Rise of congress and acceleration of Indian N. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
 
Fourth – Peasantry in country side mobilised Rise of Kisan Sabha movements.  
 
Landless peasentry mobilized by Indian leaders driven by socialistic inclination revolted against 
zamindars/intermediaries. Rise of Kisan Sabha Movement in countryside uniting peasants of diff 
langs, diff regions. 
 
Fifth – 
 
Mahatma Gandhi bridged the gap between different classes. Thesis (Indian Buorgenoisie), anti-thesis 
(Indian Proletariat) then synthesis (Both together) Mass movement. Articulated concerns of 
peasants and supported concessions to Indian industrialists. Asked zamindars to support INC. 
Therefore, Bourgeois interest got glorified in INC agenda. And has been so ever since. 
 
He concludes that N is being used as a vehicle for the perpetuation of the dominance than making 
India an all inclusive country without poverty, illetracy, discrimination. Hence his conception of N is 
paradoxical to that of nationalists. 
 
Reactions/Criticisms – 
 
1) Ramachandra Guha – Gandhi was not a bourgeois leader but a statesman who understood the 
importance of masses and mobilized them into INM. 
 
2) Andre Beteille – what India needs today is a responsible and reflexive state concerned about 
Social Equity and Social Welfare. 
 
3) MNS – Diversity in India is not its weakness but a balancing force. 
4) Lack of empirical data.  
5) More Y. Singh of an ideology than reality. 
6) A. Beteilles forced empiricism to fit into Marxist methodology). 
Hinderances to modernisation in India:  
Y. Singh: 1) Status Qus orientation 2) caste: Divides during movements (KK Sarkar) 3) Joint Family 4) 
orthodoxy | superstitious -> Sea travel considered bad 5) Religious belief (Karma Theory) (weber 
quoted) 6) Elites 
Page 4


 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
A 2 Impact of colonial rule on Indian society: 
(a) Social background of Indian nationalism. 
(b) Modernization of Indian tradition. 
(c) Protests and movements during the colonial period. 
(d) Social reforms. 
 
Social background of Indian Nationalism -> 
Nationalist - Nation always existed, Urban MC seeking reforms 
Marxist 
Sub – Altern - Nation was imposed by MC 
 
Role of western education  
Social Reform Movement  
Women  
Various castes  
Tribals  
Various religions  
Rural-Urban  
Role of Diaspora 
Vivekanand & Caliph - Role of Religion - Led to Partition 
 
Different theoretical strands to study SBIN. 
 
Nationalist – Ranade, Pt. Nehru, NK dutt, KN Pannikar. 
            - Indian Nationalism product of urban English educated middle class seeking reforms in social 
instis. 
            - Promoting territorial integration,  
            - stimulating mass minds. 
            - They consider congress and INM integral for rise of N in india. 
 
 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
AR Desai (Marxist point of view) - 
- Opposite to the above view.   
- Economic MOP influenced the political superstructure and mobilization. 
- Indian Nationalism in 5 distinct phases. With each phase social base broadened. 
- He writes - Prior to British, Nationalism was absent in India as ppl lived in dispersed villages.  
Earlier rulers including Mughals did not touch village autonomy and were thus not revolted against. 
 
Divides the SBIN in 5 phases –  
(1800 – 1850 | 1850 – 1888 | 1888 – 1905 | 1905 – 1920 | 1920 – 1940) 
 
First phase  – Intro of British & related beginning education, policies etc.  
1) Peasant suppression Rise of intelligential Reform movements | Narrow social base of 
nationalism  
 
Intro of British brought – i) large body of tax collectors. ii) Middle-men. iii) Police. iv) Disinterested 
bureaucracy. v) Cash Transactions. Thus peasant started to get suppressed. 
 
Also, rise of Intelligentsia product of modern education imparted by british. Raja Ram Mohan Roy & 
co. pioneers of the concept of Indian N. They initiated socio-reform and religio-reform movmnts. N 
had narrow social base. Arya samaj, brahmosamaj etc beginning to operationalise. 
 
Second Phase  – Destruction of indigenous industries Peasants & dethroned feudal lords led to 1857 
Religious reasons as well | It was a war b/w declining feudalism & rising capitalism  
Colonial infra consolidated Destroying indigenous industry & related consequences 1857 revolt. 
Colonial powers consolidated. Expnsn of rail, ports, telephony etc. Intro of british goods destroyed 
indigenous industries. Rise of mass poverty, debt trap, forced eviction. Peasants in diff parts 
supported by dethroned feudal lords led to 1857. 
 
Third Phase  – Indian Bourgeoisie encouraged middle class to protest in order to project their 
interest Rise of INC  
Rise of various trusts. 80% of British origin. Monopolising manufacturing and marketing. Indian 
industries absolutely collapsed. Very few (12) Indian industrialists. They organized revolt to protect 
their class interst. Funded, encouraged, patronized Indian middle class to organize protests against 
british. Rise of congress and acceleration of Indian N. 
 
www.YouTube.com/SleepyClasses 
https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
 
Fourth – Peasantry in country side mobilised Rise of Kisan Sabha movements.  
 
Landless peasentry mobilized by Indian leaders driven by socialistic inclination revolted against 
zamindars/intermediaries. Rise of Kisan Sabha Movement in countryside uniting peasants of diff 
langs, diff regions. 
 
Fifth – 
 
Mahatma Gandhi bridged the gap between different classes. Thesis (Indian Buorgenoisie), anti-thesis 
(Indian Proletariat) then synthesis (Both together) Mass movement. Articulated concerns of 
peasants and supported concessions to Indian industrialists. Asked zamindars to support INC. 
Therefore, Bourgeois interest got glorified in INC agenda. And has been so ever since. 
 
He concludes that N is being used as a vehicle for the perpetuation of the dominance than making 
India an all inclusive country without poverty, illetracy, discrimination. Hence his conception of N is 
paradoxical to that of nationalists. 
 
Reactions/Criticisms – 
 
1) Ramachandra Guha – Gandhi was not a bourgeois leader but a statesman who understood the 
importance of masses and mobilized them into INM. 
 
2) Andre Beteille – what India needs today is a responsible and reflexive state concerned about 
Social Equity and Social Welfare. 
 
3) MNS – Diversity in India is not its weakness but a balancing force. 
4) Lack of empirical data.  
5) More Y. Singh of an ideology than reality. 
6) A. Beteilles forced empiricism to fit into Marxist methodology). 
Hinderances to modernisation in India:  
Y. Singh: 1) Status Qus orientation 2) caste: Divides during movements (KK Sarkar) 3) Joint Family 4) 
orthodoxy | superstitious -> Sea travel considered bad 5) Religious belief (Karma Theory) (weber 
quoted) 6) Elites 
 
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https://testseries.sleepyclasses.com/ 
Sleepy Classes 
Relevance – 
1) Sub-nationalism articulated through separatist movements. These movmnts unifying ppl on the 
basis of culture, language, territory. Sub – nationalism is unifying people. 
2) Return of Hindu N a new challenge to secular and democratic state of India. 
3) Therefore, N becoming pathological as well as promoting unity. 
4) New Forms – Cricket N, Scientific N, War N unifying nation.