Question

From india's perspective, what were the advantages and disadvantages of british colonization?

Answer 1

One advantage would be the parliamentary system that Britain set up. India has taken it and backed it up with Their own Indian Customs and Traditions. This allowed them to make things their own, while retaining a more democratic governmental system that they had never had prior. Britain also helped to establish and create an infrastructure of roads and bridges. This allowed easier movement of goods and people that India has only added to. Britain also brought in social and educational reforms. These pushed the ideas that child labor was wrong and helped to establish Universities to further the education of India's best and brightest. Britain also brought medicines and vaccines to help cure various diseases that still ravaged the country. 

Disadvantages would be things like the strangle hold that Britain had the country actually weakened India. By not being able to grow and self-govern, they were hurt and had to rely on Britain. Britain also divided the people. If one group wouldn't do as Britain wished, Britain would have others turn on them. These divisions also were no more than lines on a map. They didn't take into account the various peoples and beliefs that were in a region and how people were being separated. Nor did the British ever seem to care. Britain was most disliked for the abuse of regions and the exploitation of nations for their natural resources. Add to it the senseless killings and massacres that occurred when people rebelled.