Before the British arrived, India was not even India but a collection of 600+ war torn princely states ruled by Kings. Spices, Textiles and Precious stones formed the bulk of the economy with ancient infrastructure. Mughal dynasty was dying and it was only a matter of time before one of the European powers colonised it. Here I want to compile a list of good things done under the British rule in India.
Social:
1. Sati or Suttee: This would rank at the top. William Bentinck abolished it finally. I can almost hear Indian nationalists screaming Ram Mohan Roy. He was a campaigner heavily influenced by western culture as far as I know. It took an iron hand from the British to abolish this ghastly custom.
2. Female Infanticide: Unfortunately, it is still practiced heavily in India especially in Haryana and Punjab where female to male ratio is at an all time low.
3. Burying of Lepers alive: "Thou shalt not burn thy widows; Thou shalt not kill thy daughters; Thou shalt not bury alive thy lepers." were the commandments issued in 1846.
Technology:
1. Dams: The British built dams of remarkable technological feat. These have helped India in making more dams after independence. You can still see 'Made in England' signs on these dams built during the colonial era.
2. Railways
3. Electricity: The first demonstation was done by PJ Fleury in 1879 during the colonial era. London controlled Kilburn and Co. till 1970. First hydroelectric installation was done in 1870 and the first electric train in 1925. All under the colonial rule.
4. Modern Bridges
5. Canals and irrigation: 75000 miles of canals were constructed in the colonial era. Now that's something!
6. Telecommunication (Telephone, Telegraph etc.): It was started in 1850 during the colonial era.
Government:
1. Democracy
2. Postal Service
3. Parliament (Lutyens Delhi)
4. President's Building (Lutyens Delhi)
5. Municipal Corporation
6. Indian Civil Service (despite knowing that they will ultimately threaten their rule)
7. Forestry: The magnificent Forest Research Institute in Dehradoon and Jim Corbett's tireless effort in saving tigers. Jim Corbett National park bears testimony to his efforts.
8. Modern Universities and Education
9. Created, Designed and Developed New Delhi
Tourism:
1. Hill Stations: It is said that 50 out of 80 hill stations were created by the British in India (even though to escape from blistering summer heat). These remain for Indians to enjoy - Mussorie, Ooty, Darjeeling Dalhousie, Simla etc.
2. Architecture: Victoria terminus in Bombay is a world heritage site. Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed New Delhi and the magnificent Parliament and President's building (Rastrapati Bhawan) stands tall. India Gate and Gateway of India along with Forest research Institute are all there for everyone to enjoy. Many glorious buildings are in Calcutta and Bombay.
3. Historical places: I'm sure tourists flock to Jallianwaala bagh, Satichaura Ghat and Bibighar Ghat along with other places of interest.
Crime:
1. Thuggee: The great William Henry Sleeman destroyed thuggee cult who murdered 2 million+ Indians. He is remembered fondly in Jabalpur and a village called Sleemanabad dedicated to him.
Other:
1. India - created from 600+ princely states with some of them ruled by oppressive kings.
2. English: United India with a common language without which Indian would not have been thriving in software, call centres and going to America.
3. Asiatic Society: Created by William Jones where millions of manuscripts have been preserved. The holy books like Gita, Upanishads, Literature by Kalidas etc. have been translated by William Jones.
4. Ramanujan: Without the British professor Hardy, he would be unknown to the world. Shame he died so young!
5. Japan and Germany's Hitler: The British saved the world.
6. Modernisation: Brought India to the modern world. She is on the path to become the largest economy in the future.
Medicine:
1. Hospital: The first hospital in India was created by the British followed by many hospitals during the colonial era.
2. Indian Medical Association: Indian doctors are now known for their skills world wide.
3. Prevention and research in diseases like Malaria, Plague, Cholera, Small Pox: Who could forget the great Ronald Ross who is remembered fondly in India for his reserach on Malaria? It is said that Edward Jenner with his work on Small pox saved more lives than the work of any other man.
4. Sanitation
5. Vaccination: Population of India grew during the colonial era.
Can you add to the list? Please discuss.
Social:
1. Sati or Suttee: This would rank at the top. William Bentinck abolished it finally. I can almost hear Indian nationalists screaming Ram Mohan Roy. He was a campaigner heavily influenced by western culture as far as I know. It took an iron hand from the British to abolish this ghastly custom.
2. Female Infanticide: Unfortunately, it is still practiced heavily in India especially in Haryana and Punjab where female to male ratio is at an all time low.
3. Burying of Lepers alive: "Thou shalt not burn thy widows; Thou shalt not kill thy daughters; Thou shalt not bury alive thy lepers." were the commandments issued in 1846.
Technology:
1. Dams: The British built dams of remarkable technological feat. These have helped India in making more dams after independence. You can still see 'Made in England' signs on these dams built during the colonial era.
2. Railways
3. Electricity: The first demonstation was done by PJ Fleury in 1879 during the colonial era. London controlled Kilburn and Co. till 1970. First hydroelectric installation was done in 1870 and the first electric train in 1925. All under the colonial rule.
4. Modern Bridges
5. Canals and irrigation: 75000 miles of canals were constructed in the colonial era. Now that's something!
6. Telecommunication (Telephone, Telegraph etc.): It was started in 1850 during the colonial era.
Government:
1. Democracy
2. Postal Service
3. Parliament (Lutyens Delhi)
4. President's Building (Lutyens Delhi)
5. Municipal Corporation
6. Indian Civil Service (despite knowing that they will ultimately threaten their rule)
7. Forestry: The magnificent Forest Research Institute in Dehradoon and Jim Corbett's tireless effort in saving tigers. Jim Corbett National park bears testimony to his efforts.
8. Modern Universities and Education
9. Created, Designed and Developed New Delhi
Tourism:
1. Hill Stations: It is said that 50 out of 80 hill stations were created by the British in India (even though to escape from blistering summer heat). These remain for Indians to enjoy - Mussorie, Ooty, Darjeeling Dalhousie, Simla etc.
2. Architecture: Victoria terminus in Bombay is a world heritage site. Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed New Delhi and the magnificent Parliament and President's building (Rastrapati Bhawan) stands tall. India Gate and Gateway of India along with Forest research Institute are all there for everyone to enjoy. Many glorious buildings are in Calcutta and Bombay.
3. Historical places: I'm sure tourists flock to Jallianwaala bagh, Satichaura Ghat and Bibighar Ghat along with other places of interest.
Crime:
1. Thuggee: The great William Henry Sleeman destroyed thuggee cult who murdered 2 million+ Indians. He is remembered fondly in Jabalpur and a village called Sleemanabad dedicated to him.
Other:
1. India - created from 600+ princely states with some of them ruled by oppressive kings.
2. English: United India with a common language without which Indian would not have been thriving in software, call centres and going to America.
3. Asiatic Society: Created by William Jones where millions of manuscripts have been preserved. The holy books like Gita, Upanishads, Literature by Kalidas etc. have been translated by William Jones.
4. Ramanujan: Without the British professor Hardy, he would be unknown to the world. Shame he died so young!
5. Japan and Germany's Hitler: The British saved the world.
6. Modernisation: Brought India to the modern world. She is on the path to become the largest economy in the future.
Medicine:
1. Hospital: The first hospital in India was created by the British followed by many hospitals during the colonial era.
2. Indian Medical Association: Indian doctors are now known for their skills world wide.
3. Prevention and research in diseases like Malaria, Plague, Cholera, Small Pox: Who could forget the great Ronald Ross who is remembered fondly in India for his reserach on Malaria? It is said that Edward Jenner with his work on Small pox saved more lives than the work of any other man.
4. Sanitation
5. Vaccination: Population of India grew during the colonial era.
Can you add to the list? Please discuss.
