Inglorious Empire

1. The British Empire in India: A Story of Looting, Not Benevolence

The British conquest of India was the invasion and destruction of a high civilization by a trading company utterly without scruple or principle, careless of art and greedy of gain, over-running with fire and sword a country temporarily disordered and helpless, bribing and murdering, annexing and stealing, and beginning that career of illegal and ‘legal’ plunder which has now [1930] gone on ruthlessly for one hundred and seventy-three years.

Economic Devastation. The British East India Company, initially a trading entity, morphed into a ruthless force of conquest and plunder. India, once a global economic powerhouse accounting for 23% of the world economy, was systematically deindustrialized. The British destroyed India's textile industry, imposed exorbitant taxes, and extracted vast wealth, all while enriching themselves and their homeland.

• India's share of the world economy plummeted from 23% to just over 3% under British rule.
• Indian textiles were deliberately destroyed to make way for British manufactured goods.
• The East India Company extracted approximately £18,000,000 each year between 1765 and 1815.

Ruthless Exploitation. The British treated India as a cash cow, extracting resources and wealth for their own benefit. Corruption was rampant, with Company officials amassing fortunes through bribery, theft, and the exploitation of Indian resources. The Industrial Revolution in Britain was financed by the depredations in India.

• The British imposed a minimum of 50% tax on Indian income, leading to widespread poverty.
• Company officials, known as "nabobs," returned to England with vast fortunes acquired through corruption.
• Indian diamonds were plundered and became symbols of British imperial wealth.

Deindustrialization and Poverty. The British systematically dismantled India's thriving manufacturing industries, forcing Indians into agriculture and creating a landless peasantry. This led to widespread poverty and economic devastation. The British monopoly of industrial production drove Indians to agriculture beyond levels the land could sustain.

• Indian handloom fabrics were destroyed, and weavers were forced into poverty.
• India became a mere exporter of raw materials and foodstuffs, rather than a manufacturing nation.
• The share of industry in India's GDP was only 3.8% in 1913, and at its peak reached 7.5% when the British left in 1947.

2. Political Unity: A Myth of British Creation

The British like to point out, in moments of self-justifying exculpation, that they deserve credit for the political unity of India—that the very idea of ‘India’ as one entity (now three, but one during the British Raj) instead of multiple warring principalities and statelets, is the unchallengeable contribution of British imperial rule.

Pre-existing Unity. The idea of a unified India existed long before the British arrived, with empires like the Mauryas, Guptas, and Mughals seeking to extend their rule across the subcontinent. Cultural and geographical unity was also evident in ancient epics and the travels of sages. The British did not create the idea of India; they merely took advantage of a period of disorder to impose their rule.

• The Mahabharata and Ramayana reflect a pan-Indian landscape and shared cultural values.
• Adi Shankara established temples across the subcontinent, embodying a vision of unity.
• Arabs referred to the entire subcontinent as "al-Hind," recognizing a single entity.

Destruction of Institutions. The British did not build upon existing political institutions but rather dismantled them. They weakened village communities, centralized power, and fomented divisions among Indian princes. The British created a system of "indirect rule" that favored complicit elites and stifled the development of genuine self-government.

• The British undermined village communities by making direct arrangements with local potentates.
• They centralized judicial and executive powers, previously dispensed by village communities.
• They installed puppet rulers who were subservient to the Company's interests.

Divide and Rule. The British employed a policy of "divide and rule," pitting Indian princes against each other and later fomenting communal divisions. This strategy was designed to maintain and extend British domination, not to foster political unity. The British used religion and social class to create divisions, which had not existed before.

• The British installed and deposed rulers based on who could pay more.
• They created a system of "subsidiary alliances" that exploited Indian princes.
• They deliberately fomented communal divisions to weaken Indian resistance.

3. Democracy, Press, and Law: Tools of Control, Not Freedom

In the years after 1757, the British astutely fomented cleavages among the Indian princes, and steadily consolidated their dominion through a policy of ‘divide and rule’ that came to be dubbed, after 1858, ‘divide et impera’.

Limited Democracy. While the British introduced some elements of democracy, such as elections and legislative councils, these were largely tools of control rather than genuine expressions of self-government. The franchise was limited, and real power remained in the hands of British officials. The British did not seek to empower Indians but to maintain their own authority.

• Legislative councils were largely advisory bodies with no real power.
• The franchise was restricted to a small, educated elite.
• The British retained the power to veto any decisions made by Indian representatives.

Controlled Press. The British introduced the printing press and newspapers to India, but they also imposed strict censorship and regulations to control the flow of information. While some Indian-owned newspapers emerged, they were often subject to harassment and suppression. The British used the press to promote their own interests and suppress dissent.

• The British introduced the first newspapers but quickly imposed censorship.
• Indian-owned newspapers were often targeted for their nationalist views.
• The British used the press to promote their own agenda and suppress dissent.

Unequal Justice. The British established a legal system in India, but it was far from impartial. The rule of law was often applied unequally, with British citizens receiving preferential treatment. Indians were often denied justice and subjected to harsh punishments. The British used the legal system to maintain their power and control.

• Crimes committed by whites against Indians often went unpunished.
• Indian defendants were more likely to face harsher sentences than their British counterparts.
• The British used the legal system to suppress dissent and maintain their authority.

4. Divide and Rule: The Deliberate Fomenting of Communalism

The British like to point out, in moments of self-justifying exculpation, that they deserve credit for the political unity of India—that the very idea of ‘India’ as one entity (now three, but one during the British Raj) instead of multiple warring principalities and statelets, is the unchallengeable contribution of British imperial rule.

Fostering Divisions. The British deliberately fomented divisions between Hindus and Muslims to weaken Indian resistance to their rule. They promoted the idea that these two communities were inherently hostile to each other, despite evidence of their peaceful coexistence. The British used religion as a tool to divide and conquer.

• The British promoted the idea of separate Hindu and Muslim identities.
• They encouraged the formation of separate political organizations for each community.
• They used census data to highlight religious differences and create a sense of minority insecurity.

Manipulating Identities. The British classified Indians into various categories based on religion, caste, and ethnicity, often exaggerating and solidifying these differences. They created new identities and reinforced existing ones, leading to increased social and political divisions. The British used these classifications to maintain their control.

• The British created a system of "martial races" and "criminal tribes."
• They used census data to classify and categorize Indians based on religion and caste.
• They promoted the idea that Indian society was inherently divided and hierarchical.

Consequences of Division. The British policy of divide and rule had long-lasting consequences, culminating in the partition of India in 1947. The creation of separate electorates and the promotion of communal politics led to increased tensions and violence between Hindus and Muslims. The British left behind a legacy of division and conflict.

• The British created separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims.
• They promoted the idea that Muslims were a minority in need of special protection.
• Their policies ultimately led to the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.

5. Enlightened Despotism: A Façade for Exploitation

The assumption of responsibility by the Crown also witnessed the dawn of a new language of colonial justification—the pretence that Britain would govern for the welfare of the Indian people. When an Englishman wants something, George Bernard Shaw observed, he never publicly admits to his wanting it; instead, his want is expressed as ‘a burning conviction that it is his moral and religious duty to conquer those who possess the thing he wants’. Will Durant was scathing about this pretence: ‘Hypocrisy was added to brutality, while the robbery went on.’

Famines and Neglect. The British were responsible for numerous famines in India, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people. Their policies of free trade and non-intervention exacerbated these crises, while their focus on profit and revenue collection led to the neglect of Indian lives. The British prioritized their own interests over the welfare of their subjects.

• The British exported grain from India even during times of famine.
• They refused to provide adequate relief to starving populations.
• Their policies led to the deaths of millions of Indians from starvation and disease.

Forced Migration. The British engaged in the forced migration of Indians through transportation and indentured labor. Convicts and laborers were shipped to penal colonies and plantations around the world, often under inhumane conditions. The British used Indian labor to build their empire, with little regard for the well-being of the workers.

• Indian convicts were transported to penal colonies in Southeast Asia and the Andamans.
• Indentured laborers were shipped to plantations in the Caribbean, South Africa, and Fiji.
• Many Indians died during these forced migrations due to disease and mistreatment.

Suppression of Dissent. The British brutally suppressed any form of dissent or resistance to their rule. They used violence, imprisonment, and censorship to silence their critics. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is a stark example of the brutality with which the British maintained their control. The British were not benevolent rulers but rather ruthless oppressors.

• The British used violence to suppress protests and demonstrations.
• They imprisoned and executed Indian nationalists and activists.
• They imposed strict censorship on the press and other forms of communication.

6. The Messy Afterlife: Lingering Scars of Colonialism

The past is not necessarily a guide to the future, but it does partly help explain the present. One cannot, as I have written elsewhere, take revenge upon history; history is its own revenge.

Enduring Divisions. The British policy of divide and rule continues to haunt India and Pakistan, with ongoing tensions and conflicts between the two countries. The legacy of communalism and religious polarization remains a major challenge for both nations. The British left behind a legacy of division and mistrust.

• The partition of India led to mass violence and displacement.
• Communal tensions continue to plague India and Pakistan.
• The legacy of divide and rule has made it difficult to achieve lasting peace and stability.

Economic Disparities. The economic exploitation of India by the British has had long-lasting consequences, with many Indians still living in poverty. The destruction of Indian industries and the extraction of resources have left a legacy of underdevelopment. The British left behind a legacy of economic inequality and dependence.

• India's share of the world economy remains far below its pre-colonial levels.
• Many Indians continue to live in poverty due to the legacy of colonial exploitation.
• The British left behind a system of economic inequality that continues to affect India today.

Cultural Alienation. The British imposed their culture and values on India, leading to a sense of cultural alienation among many Indians. The English language and Western education became symbols of power and privilege, while traditional Indian culture was often denigrated. The British left behind a legacy of cultural confusion and loss of identity.

• The British imposed their language and education system on India.
• They denigrated traditional Indian culture and values.
• Many Indians were left feeling alienated from their own heritage.

7. The Enduring Legacy: A Balance Sheet of Loss and Gain

In describing and confronting what the British did to us, are we refusing to admit our own responsibility for our situation today? Are we implying that the British alone are responsible for everything that is wrong with us? Of course not. Some writers have pointed out that growth and development requires sound institution-building and wise macro-economic policies, not a recitation of past injustices. I wish to stress that I agree. I do not look to history to absolve my country of the need to do things right today. Rather I seek to understand the wrongs of yesterday, both to grasp what has brought us to our present reality and to understand the past for itself. The past is not necessarily a guide to the future, but it does partly help explain the present. One cannot, as I have written elsewhere, take revenge upon history; history is its own revenge.

Limited Benefits. While the British did introduce some modern infrastructure, such as railways and the English language, these were primarily designed to serve their own interests. The benefits to Indians were often incidental and came at a great cost. The British did not act out of altruism but rather out of self-interest.

• The railways were built to facilitate the extraction of resources and the movement of troops.
• The English language was used to create a class of intermediaries to serve the British.
• The British did not prioritize the education or well-being of the Indian people.

Enduring Harm. The negative consequences of British rule far outweigh any positive contributions. The economic exploitation, political oppression, and social divisions created by the British continue to affect India today. The British left behind a legacy of poverty, inequality, and conflict.

• The British destroyed India's economy and created a landless peasantry.
• They fomented communal divisions that led to the partition of India.
• They suppressed dissent and denied Indians their basic rights.

Moving Forward. While it is important to acknowledge the wrongs of the past, it is also necessary to move forward and build a better future. India must learn from its history and work to overcome the challenges it faces today. The British legacy should serve as a reminder of the dangers of colonialism and the importance of self-determination.

• India must focus on building strong institutions and promoting economic development.
• It must address the legacy of communalism and inequality.
• It must strive to create a more just and equitable society for all its citizens.

Last updated: January 14, 2025