India

March 9

India: Colonial Period

Portuguese colonization began at the start of the 16th century with exploration and establishment of trading posts.

By the end of the 16th century the Portuguese were being challenged by the Dutch and the British. The British East India Company was chartered in 1600. Dutch East India Company, 1602. Danish East India Company, 1612. French East India Company, 1662.

By 1757, Britain was the dominant European power in India.

India: British Colonialism

After 1757, the British established informal colonial rule (or company rule) over expanding territory in India.

In 1857, a significant rebellion challenged British company rule. This led the British to assume direct control over the territory.

India experienced drought and disastrous famines in the late 19th century. These famines were exacerbated by colonial policies, laissez faire economics and Malthusian ideology. The year 1877, saw millions starving to death in India, but record levels of grain exports from India to Britain.

Britain actively discouraged Indian manufacturing, most notably of textiles. The colony would only export raw resources rather than compete against the imperial centre.

India: Independence and Partition

Nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, eventually brought about independence in 1947.

Religious conflict led to the subcontinent's partition, and the creation of two separate states, India and Pakistan.

East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971. India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons.

The Story of India (Part 6): Freedom 55 min long documentary, that examines

the period of British colonialism in India, the struggle for independence and the subsequent history of India to the present.