By 1858 India was completely under British rule. British officials took the top positions in civil services and in army, letting the Indians fill in the rest. From there Britain designed British policies to help them fit into the British economy, and under the guise of saying they were helping India modernize and such, they were in reality ruining India. India had a successful hand-weaving Industry, but was ruined when the British inundated India with cheap, machine-produced textiles. Britain also damaged India’s agriculture. Britain encouraged nomadic herders to settle down and become farmers, and from there pushed them to produce cotton, jute and other cash crops. However, due to all the new farms popping up, massive deforestation and severe environmental damage occurred. Overpopulation put a strain on food supply, and because so many farms were growing cash crops instead of food, famine hit across India, and millions sank into poverty. To Britain India was simply a source of raw materials and a market, and when Britain traded with them, it was generally more beneficial to Britain rather then India. Rather then help India, Britain instead ruined them and took over everything, causing severe damage in India.
Dezcee · Thu May 07, 2009 @ 02:44am · 0 Comments |