There were several main causes of British imperialism in India. In fact, British imperialism in India was driven by a combination of economic, political, and strategic factors. From the early 17th century, when the British East India Company first established trading posts on the Indian subcontinent, to the mid-19th century, when the British Crown assumed direct control of India. With that said, most historians highlight the economic factors as the most important in terms of leading to British imperialism in India.
WHAT IS IMPERIALISM?
Imperialism is a term that relates to when one country extends its political, economic or cultural authority over another country or region. This process involves the dominant country taking over the other through direct invasion and political control or by gaining authority over the economy of the other country. Imperialism, in history, was a foreign policy practiced by many different nations but is most often associated with European countries, the United States, and some Asian countries.
Britain played one of the most significant roles during the Age of Imperialism. As stated above, many European nations were spreading their influence throughout the world in the 18th and 19th centuries and took over control of vast regions of the world. However, Britain was the most important of these European nations, because the British Empire expanded the most at the time and came to be the largest empire in the world. For instance, throughout the Age of Imperialism, Britain gained influence in the following regions: India, South Africa, Egypt, Australia, Canada, United States and more.
EARLY HISTORY OF INDIA
According to modern historians, human beings first arrived in the Indian subcontinent about 50,000 to 70,000 years ago. These ancient people lived in the region and developed civilizations with farming and settlements by about 7,000 BCE. For example, there is evidence from this time period of the domestication of crops (wheat and barley) and animals (goats, sheep and cattle). In fact, the people in the region (which today is modern Pakistan and northern India) developed into what eventually became the Indus Valley Civilization. This is one of the most prominent of the Old World civilizations, and considered similar to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Following this, India went through a series of major changes, as power shifted between many different kingdoms and empires over the centuries.
ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT CAUSED BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN INDIA
Europeans had expressed an economic interest in India for a long period of time due to the transportation and trade of goods along ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road. It is perhaps one of the earliest and largest trade networks in human history, and played a vital role to many different civilizations throughout Eurasia from approximately 120 BCE to 1450 CE. At its height, the Silk Road stretched from Japan and China in the east to the Mediterranean area including Italy in the west, which was a span of over 4000 miles. Along the way, it travelled through many different regions including: India, Persia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. Merchants and traders in the East transported to Europe, goods such as: silks, glass-based products, paper, spices, apples, oranges, and other foods items. On the other hand, other goods moved to the east (towards India), such as: grapes, cotton, gold, silver, wool, etc. As such, Europeans had a long history of trade with the Far East (including India) and sought ways to continue this trade.
The first European to carry out a sea route to India was Vasco da Gama in 1498. As sea travel improved, Europeans began seeking a quicker route to the Far East, and Portugal was the first country to begin major explorations along the western coast of Africa during the timeframe of the Age of Exploration. The Age of Exploration, or Age of Discovery, began in the early 15th century and continued until the end of the 17th century, and involved European explorers using their navigational skills to travel the world. In general, the Age of Exploration occurred was mostly carried out by the countries of Portugal, Spain, France and England. Vasco da Gama was one of the most significant explorers from this time period and sailed for Portugal. He is famous for being the first European to arrive by sea in India. For instance, he sailed with a series of ships and travelled south from Portugal, around the cape of Africa until finally arriving Calicut, India on May 20th 1498. His arrival in India was significant as it pushed other European nations to seek alternate routes to the Far East, and boosted the economic interest of Europe in India. This is important as it ties into the eventual British Imperialism over India. For instance, after Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India British, French, Portuguese and Dutch merchants soon established trade routes.
The British East India Company, founded in 1600, sought to capitalize on the lucrative trade in spices, cotton, silk, indigo, tea, and other goods that were highly valued in Europe. India’s wealth of natural resources and raw materials presented vast opportunities for profit.
As the demand for Indian goods grew, so did the competition with other European powers, particularly the Dutch and the French. The British East India Company, backed by the British government, began to seek more control over Indian territories to secure its commercial interests. The need to protect and expand trade routes and markets led the company to engage in military conflicts and form alliances with Indian rulers, gradually increasing its political and territorial influence.
POLITICAL FACTORS THAT CAUSED BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN INDIA
Political factors also played a significant role in British imperialism in India. The decline of the Mughal Empire in the early 18th century created a power struggle that various regional powers and European companies sought to handle. The British East India Company, leveraging its military power and diplomatic skills, expanded its control over India through wars, treaties, and alliances. Key events such as the Battle of Plassey in 1757 were turning points that allowed the company to establish dominance in Bengal and subsequently extend its influence across other regions of India.
The British government’s support of the company’s territorial ambitions was driven by the desire to enhance British national prestige and power. As the British Empire expanded globally, control over India became a crucial part of Britain’s imperial strategy. India was not only a valuable source of wealth but also a strategic asset that increased Britain’s global influence and power on the world stage.
STRATEGIC FACTORS THAT CAUSED BRITISH IMPERIALISM IN INDIA
Strategic factors were another critical factor in British imperialism in India. The location of India made it a key point for controlling trade routes between Europe and the East. The British sought to protect their interests in the region against other European powers and local rivals. Control over India also provided strategic military advantages, allowing Britain to project power throughout the rest of Asia.
The establishment of British dominance in India allowed for the control of important sea routes and the establishment of key naval bases, ensuring British dominance in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, India served as a buffer against Russian expansion in Central Asia, which was a significant concern for British policymakers during the 19th century.
