What?: The “Jewel of the Great Britain's Empire” India was the most prosperous of all the British colonies and provided great wealth the Britain.
Where?: India
When?: 1800-1948
Why?: Mercantilism
How?: The Great Britain conquered India through divide and conquer tactics and then set about de-industrializing India, forcing Indians to grow cotton for British factories.
Results:
1) India along with Britain’s other colonies provided great wealth to the mother country. Cotton and other raw materials were shipped to Britain at low prices and finished goods were sent back to India.
2) Under the British literacy increase and health care was improved while railroads and were built. India was given many of the west’s technological advances.
3) India’s native culture was pushed aside in many ways by Western culture.
Importance: Imperialist Britain grows wealthy and powerful while India suffers.
Related Terms: Imperialism, Sepoy Mutiny, Mercantilism