Impact Of The West

The long rule of the British in India had a lot of influences over India in various fields. The emergence of a new trading class in Bengal was an influence of the East India company. The English factories and settlements were established at places like Madras, Surat and Bombay. Such facts reveal that the concept of urbanization became prominent. Migration to urban centers in search of employment and also to lead a comfortable life was a common feature. The Indian Banias, Sarkars, Munshis and others assisted the officials of the East India company after the battle of plassey which took place in 1757. The merchants at Dacca, Murshidabad and Calcutta were influenced largely by the British merchants. The condition of the Indian middle class began to lose grounds. New ways were introduced for the introduction of a new middle class. The spread of English language also led many impacts. New Schools, Colleges, Educational Institutions and Literature came up.

Education

The spread of Western education through English medium was a significant one. The Calcutta Madarasa established by Warren Hastings in 1784, the creation of Asiatic society by William Jones in 1791 etc., was one of the earlier efforts on the line of introducing western education. The Christian Missionaries also devoted much attention to the introduction of Christianity and Western education. In 1792 Charles Grant stresses the need for the introduction of English language in India. As he failed in his efforts Babtist missionaries such as Carery Marshman and others took their own measures to achieve their end. They assisted the promotion of Bengali prose literature. The renowned Calcutta Fort William college came up in 1800. In 1814 at Chinsurah established a missionary school. In the same way Robert Mayo established more than 16 such schools in the adjacent region. The establishment of the Hindu college in 1817 at Banaras was a turning point in the history of education in India. The Serampore College and the creation of the Text Book society also were the effots in promoting English education. The Dispatch of Court of Directoris in 1828 was also favourable to the spread of English Education. In 1829 the British treated language as a means for the improvements in India. During 2 February 1835 the famous “Mecaulay’s minute” came up and it stood for the value of English language. Bentinck’s Resoultion of 1835 served as a great impetus for British education. It assisted the introduction of Calcutta Medical College and Elphinston College at Bombay. The Hooghly College founded in 1836 assisted the promotion of English education among the Muhammadans. In 1837 English became the Official language in the place of Persian. In 1842 the Council of Education was constituted. 1844 English education was made as a must to have employment in the government. The Bombay Board of Education came up in 1840. The first Engineering College came up in Roorkee in 1847 A.D.

In 1854 the Wood’s Despatch came up. Broad principles were arranged. In 1857 the Calcutta, Madras and Bombay universities came up. Thus the efforts of the British government, Christian Missionaries contributed their best to the speread of western education.

Religion and Society

As an impact of Western Education Western ideas penetrated into India. They had their own echo over the religion and society of India. The Indians became more rationalistic and adopted the spirit of enquiry. Being a linquist and a well read scholar of various aspects from the originals Rajaram Mohan Roy was an embodiment of new spirit. He had a sound knowledge of Hinduism, Christianity and Buddhism. He condemned polytheism and unnecessary rituals adopted by Hindus. He pointed out that reason is the basis for Hinduism. The Atmiya Sabha (1815) and Brahma Samaj (1830) were founded by him. We have importance to the worship of one unsearchable eternal being. He opposed caste system and condemned Sati of the buring of the widows. Rabindranath Tagore stressed the supremacy of human beings. Keshab Chandra Sen pointed out that unnecessary caste ties should be given up. Thus the Socio religious reform activities centred con western thinkings.

To avoid the violation of universal law various reform measures came up during the early nineteenth century. In 1803 Lord Wellesly suppressed female infanticide. Infanticide was treated as an inhuman act. Among the Rajputs and Punjabis this evil pracice was abolished. In 1853 during his period Dalhousie proclaimed female infanticide as a murder.

Due the abolition of Sati, the question of Widow re-marriage emerged. Iswar Chandra Vidhyasagar an eminent Sanskrit scholar devoted much attention towards this issued. He stressed the need for the widow remarriages. On 26, July 1856 an act was passed to legalise the remarriage of the widows. The children born to the remarried widow were to be treated as legitimate issues.

The Thughs who indulged in robbery and decoity in central and upper India were arrested. In 1886 by an act, the member of that group was made liable for life imprisonment. In the same way slavery was also a social evil in India from time immemorial. In 1807 slave trade was abolished in Britain. In 1811 the importation of slaves into India from other parts of the world was treated as illegal. In 1833 Charter Act endeavoured to take stern measures against slavery. In 1843 slavery was made illegal by an act. In 1860 according to Indian Penal Code keeping a slave was treated as an offence. Steps were also taken to avoid human sacrifices.

Literature

In the field of literature the western education has left an indelible mark. Bengal was the first region to produce literature on the models of the west. European formsof writing was adopted. Prose style came into being. Blank verses were also introduced. Iswar Chandra Vidhya Sagar is hailed as the first real scholar of Bengali language. The influence of the west was responsible for the outcome of modern Indian literature. The arrival of printing press assisted the promotion of literature. Subsequently Hindi, Marathi, Gujarathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu literature become popular.

In 1780 James Augustus Hickey brought out his weekly newspaper called Bengali Gazette. Calcutta gazette and India gazette came up gradually. In 1785 Madras Courier came from Madras. In 1795 India Herald and Madras Gazette came up. In 1789, at Bombay the first newspaper called Weekly. Bombay Herald was published. The Bomaby Courier (1790) and Bombay Gazette (1791) were the other works.

From 1818 onwards vernacular periodicals emerged. J.C. Marshman in April 1818 published his Disdharshan as a monthly from Bengal. During 1821 Rajaram Mohan Roy brought out his Brahman Sabadi in English and Bengali. Samvat Kaumati was another journal edited by him. Mirat-ul-Akbar was a Persian journal brought out from April 1822 onwards. Samachar Chandrika, Hindu patriot were other journals. Englishman, Bombay Times, Madras United Service Gazette, Delhi Gazette, citizen, Agra Messenger, Lahore Chroicle, Easter Star, Madras spectator were other works published. Amidst many restrictions the Vernacular press developed gradually with vigour and strength.

Transport and communication

Only from the time of Lord Dalhousie development of road gained greater impetus. The Public Works Dept. established by him in 1854 carried out an appreciable work. In 1841 Joseph Locke took efforts to construct Railways in India. In 1853 the first Train ran from Bombay to Thana. In 1855 Calcutta was connected with Ranigunge coal field. The Madras Arcot Track was laid in 1856. In 1854 the frist Telegraph service commenced. It connected Calcutta with Agra.

Trade and Industry

These two aspects caused the prosperity of the nation. Industrialisation was treated as a basis for developed economy. In 1907 a survey regarding industries was made. The government introduced many polices regarding industrialistaion. Mills and factories came up in large numbers. Industrial growth led to prosperity. Between 1919 and 1920 new roads were constructed. Public Health was also given importance. Hospitals and dispensaries. Village development was given importance. Health and hygiene, education, drainage system, street lighting were all improved. Unani and Ayurvedic dispensaries were opened in the villages.

A strong police system and an independent judiciary were also introduced. They maintained law and order as well as peace and security. Grades of police officials were appointed at different levels. Traffic and Jail departments developed. Different court systems were also followed with original and Appellate jurisdictions. Training institutes for the police were started. Civil and criminal procedure codes were arranged. The high court at provincial capitals stood as highest judicial authority.

The British introduced the system of the local self government. Lord Ripon was the pioneer in this regard. Taluk Boards, District Boards etc came up. The local self government introduced the concept of democracy. Thus the Westerm impact became a significant one in the cultural history of India. In the fields such as politics, society, education, ecnomics, religion etc., the impact of the west was a considerable one They made people to think of unity equality. They unified India. They paved the way for planned development and achievement. Uniform system of government, codes of law too are the outcomes of western rule.

Courtesy: 'Incredible India!' Campaign Literature