Question

How has colonialism impacted our lives? You can either focus on one aspect, like culture or politics, or treat them together.

Answer 1

British colonialism which was based on capitalism directly interfered to ensure greatest profit and benefit to British capitalism.

Every policy was geared towards the strengthening and expansion of British capitalism.

It changed the law of land as:-

1. It changed not just land ownership laws but decided even what crops would be grown and what ought not to be.
2. It altered the way production and distribution of goods take place.
3. It started interfering with the manufacturing sector.
4. It started occupying forests and cleared trees and started plantation.
5. Colonialism introduced the forest acts that changed the lives of tribals/ pastoralists.
6.  It also led to movements of people from one part to another in India which ultimately lead to the growth of nationalist and anti colonial awareness in the Indian masses.

The colonialism affected our lives culturally, politically and more or less combining the two. Due to mobility and exposure to modem western thoughts people started thinking about freedom, liberty and human rights which provided basis for India freedom movement. Colonialism also had significant social influences e.g. Indian society particularly the emerging middle class was gradually changed i.e. their life style, eating habits, languages and clothing. Political impact of colonialism on Indian society was significant our national movement, the political system, the parliamentry and legal system, constitution, education system, the police traffic rules by and large the whole political structure changed due to the colonial impact.