LordRaven wrote:Lady Murasaki wrote:MungoBrush wrote:Lady Murasaki wrote:
What do you think happens to a country when it’s been invaded and plundered?
Of course life for the average didn’t improve and those who had little ended up with even less.
The British Raj lasted less than 100 years
But it certainly didn't improve under the Mogul Empire which lasted more than 200 years.
Was British rule worse than Muslim rule for Indians?
I don't know the answer to that.
Certainly didn’t help improve things, except for a few fancy buildings and uptight Victorian values.
Oh I don't know, 5 warring divisions (sultanates I believe?)all at each others throats prior to the British is now the biggest democracy in the world and it is undoubtedly a wonderful example of a nation gaining world status.
The Victorian values you speak of have provided great education, law & order, civil liberties (in spite of the caste system), infrastructure --am I right in thinking Indian National Railways are biggest employer in the world (?) - etc etc etc to the point that India produces some of the most brilliant people on the planet.
It has surpassed the UK in just about everything and has its own Space Agency, nuclear capability -both Civilian and Military- and it is undoubtedly a world power with far more capability in wealth and military status to the old mother country, for we seem to be languishing and going backwards.
I have heard Indian people say that they are grateful to the British Raj, and I can well understand their saying so. India is far more powerful a force on the world scene than Britain without doubt.
And that is because, in my opinion, of the Indian people themselves.
Education has always been an important focus for Indians. Victorians brought beaurocracy so yeah, things are more organised, overly so in some areas. Indian people are polite about the history, plenty of it was tyrannical, oppressive and murderous. Indians were and are regarded as second class citizens in their own country, don’t kid yourself with romantic notions about the British Raj.