The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire

The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire
The British Empire at the peak of its power. By the 1900, Great Britain oversaw an Empire that covered more then 33,700,000 km2 (A)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Road Towards Independence



Sought after by the Indian populace since the annexation of Bengal, the subcontinent finally achieved independence after two centuries of British rule. Indian Independence was the result of several different elements: the sepoy mutiny, inspirational leaders and foremost a weakened British Empire.

The first sign of a weakening within Britian's grasp on the subcontinent is perhaps the Sepoy Revolution. Due to the presence of animal fat within the new greased cartridges (more specifically the fat of pigs and cows), several companies within the British India Army rose up against their foriegn commanders. This marks the beginning of what later came to be known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857-1858.(B) Begun in Meerut by Indian troops (sepoys) in the service of the British East India Company, it spread to DelhiAgraKanpur, and Lucknow,(B) the Revolt had a profound impact on India populace. Despite the fact the revolt failed in securing liberation, many Indians come to believe violence would lead them towards Independence. Violence came to categorize protest within until Gandhi's intervention. He managed to remind the people that they were attempting to convinced their colonizers that India was in fact an educated and civilized society; savagery was not part of the image they were trying to incorporate. 


Due to the diminishing number of government agents willing to work in India, the British administration was forced to employ educated Indians to fill government position.(A) This acted as both a deterrent of British control as well as a catalyst to the involvement of Indian within political affairs. From this, we also observe the development of several future leaders, men such as Nehru and Gandhi, who's actions have immortalized their name. These leaders grew to became a source of both stability and hope, and led Indians in the fight for stability.


The Second World War acted as a powerful deterrent on Britain's grip on all its colonies. A Empire lacking both resources and support, they were forced to released numerous colonies. Protests within Indian only hastened the process of their liberation, and India achieved Independence only two years after the war.(B) Along with the Partition of India, several states within India were set apart for the creation of a new state: one known nowadays Pakistan. Pakistan was created in hopes of ending the conflict in religion that has plagued the subcontinent since the introduction of Islam. British hoped that in the future, the sub-continent would grow to became an example of the religious co-operation and the acceptance of faith. Religious violence had however only experienced an immense intensification, with numerous people killed in the crossing of state during the Pakistani independence.

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