Colonial India Class 5 Notes SST

Introduction

In the mid-15th century, Arab traders established a prosperous trade with India, mainly in textiles, silk, and spices.

• European countries, particularly the Portuguese, desired access to India's booming trade and began exploring new sea routes to bypass the Arab and Turkish-controlled land routes.
• Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese sailor, became the first European to reach India by sea in 1498, opening the way for further European interactions with India.

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Advent of the East India Company

• In 1600, British traders formed a trading company called the East India Company with the consent of the Queen of England.
• The East India Company began trading with eastern countries, especially India.
• The Mughal Emperor Jahangir allowed the British to trade and establish factories in India.
• The East India Company set up its first factory at Surat for storing goods and commodities.

How the British acquired India

• The British took advantage of the internal unrest among Indian rulers to establish their rule.
• They used religion and caste differences to divide and rule the Indian population.
• The British expanded their reach by defeating Indian rulers and taking advantage of trade concessions granted to them.

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Advantages of British Rule

• The British introduced various modern developments in India, such as the first railway line between Thani and Bombay, post and telegraph systems, and improved agricultural methods like irrigation canals.
• They built cities with modern facilities like drainage systems.
• The British abolished social evils like sati (the practice of widows self-immolating on their husband's funeral pyres), female infanticide, and promoted Hindu widow remarriage.
• Education was made accessible to both males and females.

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Disadvantages of British Rule

• Laws like the Doctrine of Lapse enabled the British to acquire more Indian territories. According to this law, if an Indian king died without a natural heir, his kingdom would be taken over by the East India Company.
• Indian farmers were forced to sell food grains to the British at lower prices, which were then sold at higher rates in England.
• Indians were compelled to sell cash crops like raw cotton, raw silk, and indigo at cheaper rates, providing raw materials for British mills.
• Social discrimination increased, widening caste differences among Indians.

Conclusion

India came under British rule through a gradual process that took advantage of internal conflicts and trade concessions. British rule brought both advantages and disadvantages to India, including modern developments and social reforms, but also economic exploitation and social discrimination.