Colonialism and Imperialism Class 10 History Chapter 7 Notes – Bharat and the World HBSE Solution

Class 10 History BSEH Solution for Chapter 7 Colonialism and Imperialism Notes for Haryana board. CCL Chapter Provide Class 1th to 12th all Subjects Solution With Notes, Question Answer, Summary and Important Questions. Class 10 History mcq, summary, Important Question Answer, Textual Question Answer are available of  Bharat and the World Book for HBSE.

Also Read – HBSE Class 10 History Bharat and the World Solution

Also Read – HBSE Class 10 History Bharat and the World Solution in Videos

HBSE Class 10 History Chapter 7 Colonialism and Imperialism Notes for Haryana Board of Bharat and the World Book Solution.

Colonialism and Imperialism Class 10 History Chapter 7 Notes


The political, social, religious and economic awakening of Europe took place in the sixteenth century as a result of the Renaissance and the Reformation Movement. This awakening marked the beginning of the modern era in the world, which was led by Europe. As a result of this awakening, great changes took place in the methods of farming and in the fields of production in Europe and especially in England, where there was a large amount of surplus production. In order to sell their finished goods and obtain raw materials for their industries, European countries were attracted to the vast territories of Asia and Africa and tried to establish their economic and political hegemony over these parts. The efforts of this hegemony are given the names of colonialism and imperialism. In the present chapter, we shall study the causes of colonialism and imperialism, their nature, their extent and effects.

Let’s Learn: Key Points of Study


Meaning of imperialism and colonialism


a) Conditions conducive to the spread of imperialism:

  1. Industrial Revolution in European Countries
  2. Additional Capital
  3. Means of Transport and Communication
  4. Contribution of Christian Missionaries.
  5. Spirit of Radical Nationalism
  6. Campaign for Civilization
  7. Favorable Conditions in Asia and Africa
b) Growth of imperialism

  1. Imperialism in Asia
  2. Colonies of England
  3. Colonies of Portugal
  4. Colonies of Holland
  5. Colonies of France, Colonies of Germany and Russia.
  6. Colonialism in China
  7. Imperialism in Africa

c) The devastating effect of imperialism on India:

  1. The disintegration of the self-supporting economy of the village.

  2. Decline of handicraft industries

  3. Drain of wealth or property

  4. Decline of industries

  5. Introduction of Western education

  6. To put pressure on imports rather than exports

  7. Impact on Indian agriculture and farmers

  8. Propagation of Christianity


Colonialism


Colonialism is the tendency of a powerful country to take economic advantage of other weaker and poorer countries by taking them under control. Its main foundation was commercialism. This type of policy was generally followed in Europe between 1500 AD to 1750 AD. This colonialism took a new form in the nineteenth century and now it has become imperialism from colonialism. Historically, the period of colonialism was from the fifteenth century to the twentieth century. During this period, Europeans established colonies in different parts of the world. The main causes of colonialism during this period were:

  • Desire to make a profit.
  • Increasing the power of the mother country.
  • Escaping punishment in the motherland.
  • Converting the local people to the colonial religion by converting them.

A few colonists also thought that they were helping the local people by converting them to Christianity and giving them a vision of civilization. But in reality, colonialism meant domination, displacement and death. The colony was made a part of the kingdom of the mother country. Thus, colonialism is closely related to imperialism.


Causes for the Establishment of Colonies


Geographical discoveries played an important role in making the commercial revolution successful. Colonialism began with these geographical discoveries, European countries like Spain, Portugal, the Dutch, France and England established colonies in distant countries. The following were the causes of the beginning of colonialism in Europe:

1. Triple ‘G’ Policy (Gold-Glory-God): The discovery of America by Columbus as a result of geographical discoveries started competition for the collection of precious metals like gold in European countries. The condition of the competition for gold-collection was such that the slogan More gold, more prosperity, more fame’ was raised all over Europe. Now the main attention of all European nations is focused on gold, glory and God. With the establishment of colonies, European countries also got gold, spread glory and religion was also propagated. Therefore, the triple G policy was undoubtedly one of the reasons for the establishment of colonies.

2. Procurement of raw materials: As a result of commercial prosperity, many industries were established in European countries. Europe lacked the raw materials needed for these industries. Therefore, European countries established colonies in African and Asian countries to obtain raw materials.

3. Consumption of manufactured goods: Industrial production increased rapidly due to the establishment of industries and the availability of raw materials. Since all European countries were following the policy of economic protection at that time, colonies were also established to sell these manufactured goods. Therefore, each colony was forced to purchase manufactured goods and export raw materials from powerful nations.

4. Increase in population: In various countries in Europe, the population of cities has increased tremendously as a result of industrialization. Later on, the establishment colonies also got a boost with the settlement of the surplus population.

5. Unfavorable climate: Europeans also gained knowledge of many new items as a result of commercial progress and contact with new countries. They also got knowledge of potatoes, tobacco, corn, etc. only through contact with eastern countries. They became fond of hot spices, sugar, coffee, rice, etc. Due to an unfavourable climate, it was not possible to grow all these things in European countries. Therefore, the Europeans, especially the British, wanted to get territories where these things could be cultivated. Thus, the idea of colonisation in places with a favourable climate got a forte.

6. Desire for prosperity: The early colonies were established by Portugal and Spain as a result of geographical discoveries. This resulted in an unprecedented increase in their prosperity: Therefore seeing their prosperity, other European countries also proceeded to establish colonies for prosperity.

Imperialism: When a powerful and advanced country establishes its authority by force over a weak and backward country and exploits it politically, economically and culturally, then this desire and tendency of that powerful country is called imperialism. The country in which the imperialist country establishes its authority is called a colony of that imperialist country. In such a situation, the imperialist countries ignore the interests of the people of the subject countries and exploit them for the interests of their own countries. The imperialist country exploits the economic and natural resources of the colony to the fullest. Before 1947, our country was also under British rule. In other words, India was a colony of Britain before independence.

In the second half of the eighteenth century, there were many revolutionary changes in the technology of production, as a result of which large factories were built in place of domestic industries, and as a result of which production started more with machines than by hand and in factories rather than at home. These changes are called ‘industrial revolution Due to favourable conditions, the Industrial Revolution first started in England. Soon it spread to other countries of Europe as well.

In the nineteenth century, the United States of America and the Asian country of Japan also became industrialised countries. In these industrialised countries various goods are produced in excess. As a result, it became necessary to find new markets to sell this excess commodity. Simultaneously, these industrialised countries began to feel the great need for raw materials to run their industries. These needs of the countries were fulfilled by the countries of Asia and Africa because these countries were backward from an industrial point of view. The industrialised countries of Europe, the United States of America and Japan started subjugating the backward countries of Asia and Africa, which gave birth to the imperialist system.


Conditions Conducive to the Expansion of Imperialism


In the nineteenth century, favourable conditions existed for the expansion of imperialism. Imperialist countries took full advantage of them. Many factors were responsible for the development of the spirit of imperialism in European countries. The following is a brief description of all these:

1. Industrial revolution in European countries: In the nineteenth century, important changes took place in the modern way in European countries. Small-scale industries were replaced by big factories, which led to large scale production. With the increase in production, there was a shortage of raw materials: Due to excessive production, new markets were also needed to sell the finished goods. In such a situation, it became necessary for European countries to acquire colonies in distant places. As a result, these countries occupied many countries of Asia and Africa. Thus, the spirit of imperialism was encouraged.

2. Excess Capital in European countries: As a result of the Industrial Revolution, huge wealth accumulated in the countries of Europe. A class of big capitalists emerged in those countries. Now the question was where should the additional capital of the capitalists be invested. Interest rates were very low in their own countries. Seeing this, the big capitalists thought it better that the extra money should be invested in the railways, mines, factories etc. in the colonies of their country so that they would get enough profit and their capital would also be safe. Thus, the capitalists of European countries inspired their governments to establish colonies.

3. Contribution of Christian missionaries: Imperialism also received full support from the Christian clergy of Europe to spread Christianity among the backward castes of Asia and Africa. The clergy were very pleased with the establishment of new colonies because they got a new area to propagation Christianity. For the Christian clergy, the expansion of the empire became a good means of spreading religion.

4. Spirit of European Nationalism: In the last decades of the nineteenth century, the spirit of militant nationalism had become stronger in Europe. All the major European nations became interested in becoming the great powers of the world, and they wanted to become more powerful by acquiring more colonies. Acquiring colonies had become a symbol of the power and prestige of different nations. So there was a race for colonies among the European nations and this spirit of European countries encouraged imperialism.

5. Campaign for Civilization: Europeans considered themselves to be more civilised and They considered the people of Asia and Africa to be inferior and uncivilised. According to European countries only, their civilization was the supreme civilisation in the world. They considered it necessary to develop their own civilization in underdeveloped countries. They said that it is the duty of the superior castes to civilise the inferior castes. They considered bringing more and more colonies under their control a mark of respect for their nations.

6. Means of Transport and Communication: The means of transport and communication also developed in European countries as a result of the Industrial Revolution. As a result of the invention of steam powered ships and telegrams, it became easier to take possession and rule over distant lands. Although the means of transport had been developed much earlier, their real effect was visible in the second half of the nineteenth century. With the help of these resources, the process of colonisation made advancement.

7. Favorable conditions in Asia and Africa: Favorable conditions in Asia and Africa also proved helpful in the expansion of the European empire. There was no industrial revolution in these countries. Although the artisans and craftsmen of Asia and Africa used to make fine things, but these things were in limited quantity and expensive compared to machine made goods, which could not compete with things made in more quantity in machines in European factories. As a result of the Industrial Revolution, European countries developed modem weapons and built powerful armies. This made it easier for them to control and defeat the backward and weak armies of Asian and African countries. Apart from this, the governance systems of the countries of Asia and Africa were weak at that time, due to which it became possible for the powerful countries of Europe to take over these backward countries.


Development of Imperialism


Imperialism in Asia: Asia was a continent from where various types of raw materials like cotton, tea, indigo, coffee, tobacco, sugar, coal, iron, tin, copper, etc. could be obtained in abundance. European countries established their colonies here to sell manufactured goods in their markets at a higher profit. By the end of the nineteenth century, the entire continent of Asia had come under the control of the imperial Western powers. The major European countries that colonised Asia were England, France, Portugal, Holland, Germany and Russia

1. Colonies of England: England was the largest imperial power among the European powers, which established its authority over most of Asia.

a) India: Portuguese, Dutch, British and French people came to India to trade with India. The Portuguese and Dutch powers traded in India for some time, but by the beginning of the eighteenth century, their power almost ended in India. Now only the British and the French remained in India. In order to establish their dominance in India, there were three wars of Karnatak between these two powers from 1744 AD to 1763 AD, in which the British were victorious. Earlier, in 1757 AD, the British had established their political dominance in Bengal by defeating Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, in the Battle of Plassey. In the battle of Buxar in 1764 AD, they obtained the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. The British also occupied Mysore in 1799 AD after defeating Tipu Sultan. By 1818, they ended Maratha power as a result of the Maratha wars. The British occupied Sindh in 1843 AD and Punjab in 1849 AD as well. Thus, by the time of Lord Dalhousie in 1856 AD, the British had taken over almost all of India.

b) Burma: England fought three wars against Burma. These wars were fought from 1824 AD to 1885 AD. As a result of these wars, all the territories of Burma were annexed to the British Indian Empire.

c) Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka was occupied first by the Portuguese, then by the Dutch and finally by the British. The British made a lot of money by planting tea and rubber gardens in Lanka. England’s authority over Sri Lanka continued till 1948 AD.

d) Malaya: The British wanted to spread their influence in South-East Asia as well. In 1840 AD, they took Singapore under their control and in 1865 AD, the British also took control of the Malaya Peninsula.

e) Tibet: After defeating Tibet in 1904 AD, according to the treaty with the Dalai Lama, trade between British India and Tibet started and Tibet practically came under the influence of the British.

2. Colonies of Holland: The Dutch of Holland first paid attention to the islands of the South Eastern countries to trade and establish colonies. After defeating the Portuguese in 1602 AD the Dutch opened their factories in Bantam and it became their important center. In 1605, the Dutch conquered Amboyana from the Portuguese and increased their influence. In 1619 AD they also conquered Jakarta and made Batavia their capital. In this way, the Dutch took control of Java, Sumatra and Borneo. In 1641 AD, the Dutch also acquired Malacca from the Portuguese. As a result, Holland’s influence on the island of hot spices increased greatly.

3. Colonies of Portugal: In 1498 AD, the Portuguese navigator Vasco-da-Gama reached Calicut on the west coast of India and discovered a new sea route from Europe to India. With this, the Portuguese established their colonies in India and other eastern countries. In the sixteenth century, the Portuguese captured the territories of Goa, Daman-Diu, Dadra-Naga Haveli etc. in India as a result of their efforts. Apart from these, the Portuguese also acquired Timar in South-East Asia and Macao Island near China.

4. Colonies of France:

a) Pondicherry, Chandranagar, Mauritius, Mahi etc. : France established its settlements in India in 1674 AD at the place of Pondicherry and France made Pondicherry the capital of its Indian settlements. After this, French settlements were also established in Chandranagar. The French Company took control of Mauritius in 1721 AD. They also established their settlements in Mahi, on the Malabar Coast, in 1725 and in Calicut in 1739.

b) Colonies of South-East Asia: The French established their settlements in 1862 AD in China and in 1865 AD in Cambodia. In 1885, France defeated China and occupied Tanking and Anam. All these countries are collectively called French Indochina.

5. German Colonies: Germany also acquired some colonies in Asia. They took control of the north-eastern part of New Guyana. In 1898 AD, they took the territory of Kyochu from China on a contract. Germany also established its authority over the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

6. Russian Colonies: The Russian Empire also started efforts to expand its empire towards Central Asia. In 1864, Russia occupied Khokand, Bukhara and Khiva. In 1865, Russia annexed Tashkent to the Russian Empire, In 1867 AD, the new province of Turkestan was annexed to the Russian Empire and in 1868, Russia also established its authority over Samarkand. In 1818, Russia acquired the contract for the important peninsula of Liotung in China for 25 years.

7. Colonialism in China: China also had to be subjugated under European imperialism. England, France, Germany, Russia, America and even Japan tried to take Chinese territories under their sphere of influence. Initially, England and France took a great interest in China’s opium trade and when the Chinese government opposed it, they waged war against China. China was defeated in the two Opium Wars from 1839 AD to 1842 AD and from 1854 to 1858 AD, as a result of which it had to first open its 5 and then 9 ports for foreign trade and also accept English rights over Hong Kong.

Taking advantage of China’s weakness, other European countries, America and Japan have also started to increase their influence in China. In 1895 AD, Japan defeated China in a war and occupied its parts of Korea, Formosa, etc. Russia also captured a large part of Manchuria, including the famous Port Arthur. Germany took possession of Kyochu in 1897 AD. In 1898, France captured the province of Kwangchu and in the same year the British took Bei-He-Bei under their control. Right now, all these countries are trying to divide China among themselves. America also joined this race. It supported an ‘open door policy’ for China and insisted that all Chinese ports be opened on equal terms to all foreign powers. This advice was accepted by all countries and this policy saved China from being divided. China’s economic exploitation continued unabated and until the early twentieth century, China remained in the clutches of imperialists.


Imperialism in Africa : Like Asia, Africa is also a large continent. For a long time the people of European countries had little knowledge about Africa and Africa was called the ‘dark continent. As a result of favorable conditions, after 1875, a mutual struggle started among the European powers to get more and more colonies in Africa. For the next 40 years, the struggle for the division of colonialism and imperialism in Africa among the European powers continued. As a result, colonies of European powers were established in all of Africa except for a few regions. Belgium, Portugal, England, France and Germany participated in this partition of Africa.

a) Colonies of Belgium: Belgium first tried to increase its influence in Africa. With the help of Emperor Leopold II of Belgium, a brave man named Henry Stanley captured the territory of Congo in 1878 AD. By joining the areas around the Congo River, it was named ‘Congo Free State’ in 1908 AD. Although it was not an independent state but a colony under Belgium.

b) Colonies of England: England got the largest share in the division of Africa. England established its colonies in Africa in the Cape of Good Hope. Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State. In 1909 AD, these states were merged to form the United States of South Africa. In addition to this, England also established its colonies in Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Gold Coast, Zambia, Nigeria, Somaliland. The most important territories of England in Africa were Egypt and Sudan. After the opening of the Suez Canal, the importance of these areas to England increased greatly.

c) Colonies of France: France also played an important role in the partition of Africa France established its authority over Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, West Guinea and Madagascar in Africa. France also wanted to increase its influence in Egypt and Sudan but could not succeed due to strong opposition from the British.

d) Colonies of Portugal: After Belgium annexed the Congo, Portugal acquired the settlement of Angola in the south of the Congo. Portugal also easily annexed Mozambique and its adjoining territories in the south-east of Africa. This colony was called ‘Portuguese East Africa.

e) Colonies of Germany: Although the German Chancellor Bismarck was initially against the establishment of colonialism, after being forced by German patriots, industrialists, and businessmen, Germany also joined the race for colonialism. In 1883, Germany acquired some territories in South Africa and made its own colony, which came to be called German South Africa. After that Germany took the territories of Togoland and Cameroon in West Africa. In East Africa, too, Germany acquired a large area of Zanzibar and its surroundings, which came to be known as German East Africa.

f) Colonies of Italy: Italy annexed the territories of Eritrea, Somaliland and Libya in Africa. It wanted to increase its authority over other territories in Africa as well, but as a result of the defeat from Abyssinia, Italy’s expansion in African countries came to a standstill. Although, after a war with Turkey, Italy’s authority over Tripoli was established in 1912 AD.


Impact of imperialism

Imperialism had far-reaching effects on many countries of Asia, Africa and Europe.

1. Influence on the countries of Europe: European countries where the Industrial Revolution had taken place started making a lot of goods in the factories. These countries started earning huge profits by selling these goods in the colonies. It was from these colonies that these countries started buying raw materials at cheap prices, due to which all European countries became more wealthy due to the imbalance of trade. Other European countries had competition among themselves to get more and more colonies. Due to the desire to obtain more colonies, these countries started making their armies more powerful, which resulted in mutual hatred among all European countries and they were divided into two factions against each other. Due to the mutual enmity of European countries, the First World War took place from 1914 AD to 1918 AD, which had very disastrous results.

2. Impact of Imperialism on Asia:

a) Positive influence: The imperialist countries introduced western education in their subjugated colonies. The people of these countries got the opportunity to study the political systems of other countries. As a result, there was a rise of national awakening in these countries. The capitalists of the imperialist countries set up new industries in the colonies to earn more profit, which gave new opportunities to these people to get employment. Imperialist countries built more and more roads and laid railway tracks to increase trade in their colonies, which led to a lot of development of the means of transport in these colonies.

b) Disastrous impact: Imperialist countries started buying raw materials from their clonies at cheap prices for the industries of their own countries and started selling manufactured goods in their countries at higher prices. Many restrictions were imposed on the sale of goods made in their own industries of the subjugated countries, which destroyed their industries. The imperialist countries exploited the farmers of their colonies more and more, due to which the farmers of the colonies also became poor. The people of the imperialist countries considered themselves civilized, and the people of the colonies were considered inferior. They did not establish contact with these people. Hotels, clubs and train compartments were also separate for these people. The people of the colonies were not even offered high positions. Christian preachers in imperialist countries began to convert the people of the colonies to Christianity. Many kinds of temptations were given to the people of the colonies and religious conversions were made, due to which mutual enmity increased among them.


Disastrous impact of imperialism on India: Although the British authority on India had many good effects. They introduced the modern justice system in India and established the rule of law. The British introduced the modern police system in India. They developed the means of transport and communication in India. They tried to remove the social evils prevalent in Indian society. They created national awareness among Indians by introducing a modern education system. But the British did all this for their own vested interests. Imperialism had the following disastrous effects on India:

a) Disruption of the self-supporting economy of the villages: Before the advent of the British in India, apart from the farmers, people engaged in other occupations also lived in the villages like potter, carpenters, blacksmiths, washermen, barbers, weavers, cobblers, vaidyas, telis kahars etc. All these people used to fulfil all the needs of the village. Thus, every village was self-supporting from an economic point of view. The payment of revenue or rent was made in the form of crops, but the British implemented new policies related to rent in India. The rent was now collected in the form of a fixed amount, due to which the farmers were forced to sell their crops. The British made land an object of mortgage or sale, from which farmers could be evicted. The cottage industries of local artisans were also destroyed due to the arrival of many manufactured goods from outside the villages. For all these reasons, the self-sufficiency of the villages was shattered.

b) Drain of Indian wealth: After the British took over India, a large part of Indian wealth continued to go to England, in return of which India did not get any benefit. This was called economic exploitation or the drain of wealth. Before the arrival of the British in India, many foreign dynasties established their kingdoms in India. They settled permanently in India itself. They spent the money collected in the form of tax in India itself. They spent this money on expanding the kingdom or building canals, roads and beautiful palaces or on living a life of luxury. With this money, Indian industries and trade developed and thousands of Indian people got employment. But the British remained foreigners even after establishing their rule in India and they spent most of the money received from India in England rather than in India. This money was given to military and civilian officers in the form of huge salaries and pensions from the Indian treasury. During the reign of the British Company, the employees of the Company started sending money received from Indian rulers, zamindars or merchants to England. According to an estimate, only from 1758 AD to 1765 AD, a wealth of about 60 lakh pounds was sent to England. There was also a huge profit from the trade. That money was also sent to England. Fourth, the industrialists and capitalists of England also used to invest their extra money in the construction of railways, roads, canals, tea and coffee plantations and coal mines in India to earn more profit. The interest and profit of this money also went to England. Due to all these, Indian wealth kept going to England and there was a constant lack of wealth in India and with the passage of time, India, which was called a ‘Golden Bird’, became a poor country.

c) Decline of handicraft industries: Due to the Industrial Revolution, large factories were established in England. They began to manufacture goods in large quantities, and these goods were beautiful and cheap. Therefore, Indian goods, which were manufactured by small-scale industries, could not compete with them and Indians were forced to sell their goods at low prices. As a result, the small-scale industries in India started shutting down. Second, when the goods manufactured by Indian small scale industries reached the markets of England and Europe, many restrictions were imposed on them so that the people there could not buy them. That is why severe damage was done to the Indian small-scale industries, which ruined the Indian artisans and craftsmen. Third, the Indian rulers and their courts were major buyers of goods manufactured by Indian artisans and craftsmen, but by the middle of the nineteenth century, the British ended all the native states, eliminating their main customers. As a result, Indian small-scale industries were completely destroyed and the artisans and craftsmen working in them were ruined.

d) Backwardness of industries: The government of England did not do any concrete work for industrial development in India. The heavy metal and heavy machinery industries on which the development of other industries depended were deliberately not encouraged because the British government in India cared more for the interests of the British industrialists than their Indian counterparts. The British were also the owners of many of the early mills and factories set up in India and the British Indian government used to extend all possible help to the British industrialists. As a result, foreign capital continued to exert pressure on Indian capital. In India, only goods manufactured in the industries of England were used on a large scale in India, for example, railway tracks, railway coaches and other goods came from England for laying railway lines in India. Industrial development in the country remained unsatisfactory due to imperialist policies.

e) Promotion of imports rather than exports: Before the arrival of the British in India, cotton cloth, silk cloth, hot spices, indigo, tea etc. were exported in large quantities from India. These goods were in high demand in the European markets, but after the arrival of the British in India, they adopted a policy in which a nominal import duty was imposed on British goods coming to India. At the same time, heavy duty and restrictions were also imposed on clothes and other items made by Indian craftsmen in England so that the people of Europe could not buy these Indian goods. As a result, the export of Indian cloth and other goods gradually came to an end, but the import of finished goods in the British industries in India increased. Due to the import-export policy of England, Indian industries and factories began to close down.

f) Impact on Indian agriculture and peasants: The British rule over India had a devastating impact on Indian agriculture. All the land arrangements implemented by the British Government of India to collect rent from the farmers exploited them. About half of the farmers’ produce was used to pay the rent. The rules for collecting taxes were so strict that the farmers had to pay taxes at all costs, whether the produce was there or not. They used to borrow money from the moneylenders at high interest to save their land and were trapped in the clutches of the moneylenders, while on the other hand, the British British government did not pay any attention to the land reforms. As a result, much of the land became barren, leaving the poor farmers impoverished and at the same time, due to low yields, there were frequent famines in the country.

g) Inception of Western education: The British introduced the Western education system in India in 1835, due to which the English language was accepted as the medium of instruction. But the purpose of the education system implemented by the British was not the mental and moral development of the Indians, but to create a category of Indians who, after getting the education in the English language, could work in small posts like clerks etc. The purpose of the universities established in India was also not to provide a high standard of education to Indians. There was complete disregard for women’s education, higher education, scientific and technical education, due to which Indians lagged behind the citizens of other countries of the world. Some upper and middle class Indians raised their voice against the British rule of India by getting education in western countries, but western education caused a deep blow to the civilization and culture of India.

h) Propagation of Christianity: With the arrival of the British in India, Christian missionaries also came to India in large numbers. These clergy used to preach Christianity with great enthusiasm. Christian missionaries used to preach Christianity by visiting schools, colleges, hospitals, offices, temples, mosques and prisons etc. They had the full support of the British Indian Government for this. They used every right and wrong way to convert people to Christianity. They used to condemn Indian religions and traditions. Christian clergy were kept in the army to propagate Christianity. Many types of facilities and temptations were given to the people who adopted Christianity. As a result of the efforts of the Christian missionaries, a large number of Indians converted to Christianity, which caused a great blow to the ancient Indian culture.

Thus, it is clear that the imperialism of the modern era was different from ancient imperialism. It was not military or political imperialism like ancient imperialism. This imperialism is known as Neo-Imperialism or Neo-Colonialism. It would also be appropriate to call it ‘Economic Imperialism’. Along with this, there was also a glimpse of cultural Imperialism in it. This imperialism and colonialism led to more and more economic exploitation of the rich nations of Asia and Africa, Due to this, these nations became poor and the nations of Europe became prosperous and wealthy. The effect of the exploitation of the countries of Asia and Africa is still visible in the countries of these continents. These third world countries are still fighting poverty and hunger. Poverty and hunger are the legacies of colonialism. Colonialism and imperialism also hollowed out the roots of a culturally rich ountry like India and divided this vast state into two parts by sowing the seeds of mutual division and tension. Even today, the ideology of economic and cultural imperialism is continuing in a slightly different form.


Leave a Comment

error: