Why did the British East India Company came to India?
The British East India Company came to India as traders in spices, a very important commodity in Europe back then as it was used to preserve meat. Apart from that, they primarily traded in silk, cotton, indigo dye, tea and opium. They landed in the Indian subcontinent on August 24, 1608, at the port of Surat.
Why were the British eager to trade in India?
European trade with India was extremely lucrative, and the British first arrived in 1600 (the East India Company) to set up a Factory — this then being a warehouse where goods for shipment to England would be stored to await a trading vessel. There was a strong demand for cotton, indigo, saltpetre, and salt.
What is the impact of British rule in India?
The British were also responsible for Political, Administrative and Economic Unification of India. They brought the whole of India under their sovereign authority and united it, which the country has not experienced so far.
What are the positive and negative effects of British rule in India?
Positive: It brought some peace and order to the countryside. The British revised the legal system to promote justice for Indians regardless of class or caste. Railroads helped Indians move around the country. Negative: British people knew little about Indian achievements and dismissed Indian culture with contempt.
Is British rule good for India?
The British relied heavily on Indian troops to enforce their military power. Did India gain or lose from British rule? Some recent research suggests that British rule did little for India in economic terms. Britain gained hugely from ruling India, but most of the wealth created was not invested back into the country.
What impact did British colonialism have on India?
Colonialism was certainly a far more traumatising experience for colonial subjects than their colonisers. They suffered poverty, malnutrition, disease, cultural upheaval, economic exploitation, political disadvantage, and systematic programmes aimed at creating a sense of social and racial inferiority.