Write a well-argued essay of approximately 1500 words (typed in 12-font, double spaced) on any one of the following HST153/AAS254/IWS232: India, XXXXXXXXXX Paper topics and instructions 1 Write a...

Zakariya H Mohammad 2
HOW AND WHY WERE BRITISH ABLE TO ESTABLISH POLITICAL CONTROL IN SOUTH ASIA
The British were able to establish political supremacy in the South Asian countries for a number of reasons. Before diving into the details of the reasons, we can say that the major South Asian countries are parts and pieces of undivided India. It is a general conception based on the geographical area of these countries. Therefore, when we talk about colonialism in these countries, or undivided Indian subcontinent, we take the inherent diversity into account too. The diversity of the inhabitants and the diversity of rulers that came and ruled these nations in some period. This essay will first discuss about the reasons which acted in favor of the East India Company in a
oad sense. Following that discussion, some specific events will be mentioned in chronological order, which played a major role in the history of this company-based government.
The discussion on notable rulers almost always includes the Mughals. Although they ruled for a lesser period of time, when compared to other rulers, the historical na
atives of colonialism remain incomplete without them. Some historians believe the policies of Aurangzeb which were based on religious divisions, contributed to the rapid decline of the Mughal empire. On the other hand, the religious diversities helped the British to execute their “divide and rule” policies of government. Additionally, social, economic and cultural diversities were also huge. Therefore, even though the voices of the colonialised mass united in the name of freedom, there were other aspects of that freedom for every individual. For example, the ethnic minorities struggled to be included in the common place, the women for their liberty, the peasants fighting against the high revenues on land and their produce. These wide disparities kept the native people divided internally, i
espective of who ruled the subcontinent. Additionally, some minor differences ignited the fire of necessity in people to form a separate entity, politically, geographically and culturally.
Similar was the situation with linguistic diversities. When one language was prefe
ed over another for official agendas and national politics, some people could easily make the transition and were benefitted, whereas the others suffered a loss. However, they could not do anything to reverse the outcomes. On a community level, this created sense of hope and possibilities for upliftment.
Some of the policies of British supported the native people and their betterment in terms of societal standard and standards of living, with the help of westernized ideas. However, their policies had the hidden purpose to exploit these genuine causes of native people in their favor. Be it educational policies, land and the judicial systems, the army or the administration, they were clear in their purpose and tailor it according to the prevailing situation of the subcontinent. For example, to eliminate the competitions from the Portuguese and Dutch, the British first introduced free trade to capture all the spices and then announce monopoly over trade. Similarly, the decline of the famous Sepoy Mutiny was
ought about by a fundamental religious fear rumoured at that time and it made the violent battles weaker without any visible armed force. The establishment of railway lines and trade practices never promoted the growth of Indian economy. Rather, it helped the British to observe every part of the subcontinent more closely and send all the revenue to their home. It also made the movement of British Indian army faster and easier, ultimately helped in exercising greater control. On the other side, the Indian forests declined and new trade practices lowered the values of crops people earlier enjoyed. They had to exchange their crops for British and imported clothes. Thus, although it was always involvement of two sides, the rulers and the colonialised, it benefitted the rulers only....