Essay On The Battle Of Amritsar Imperialism

Have you ever wondered why the British wanted to gain control over India? Imperialism primarily occurs for political. economic and social advantages for a nation. Imperialism is when a powerful nation conquers a less powerful, weaker nation. Although the British gave India a powerful government, construction of a large amount of infrastructure and an improved life expectancy, these advantages all served the needs of the British’s interest rather than the Indians and essentially forced poverty into many Indian lives which resulted in the death of millions.

Although the British brought a strong, powerful government to India, they used it to benefit Britain rather than India. The British established a justice system, loyal army, efficient police force and a government that had over 500 million people, however, the used these resources against the Indians (Lalvani). Out of the 500 million people in the British government, only 16% of them were Indians which resulted in India being overruled in the government (doc 2). The British government also used their army and police forces to attack the Indians. The battle of Amritsar is one example of how the British used their power to benefit themselves.

The British opened fired on 20,000 Indians leaving 400 dead and 1,200 injured (Gandhi). There is no denying that the British government benefitted India, but the British used their power against India, not for India.
Although the British government directed their power against India, they developed a large amount of infrastructure that helped India economically.

By the time India had their Independence the British had laid 10,000 miles of railroads and 136,000 bridges (Lalvani). This provided transportation and a source of jobs for Indians, however, the British did not build the infrastructure for India (Lalvani). The British used the railroads to transport troops and cash crops (Gandhi, doc 7). The British forced tenant farmers to grow cash crops like cotton and indigo which eventually destroyed India’s soil and environment (Gandhi, doc 6). The infrastructure built by the British did benefit India, but it created environmental damage that had a much greater impact on

India.
Even though the British damaged farming land and used India’s infrastructure against them, the British brought India vaccines that helped with the health of their population. The British improved India’s health and life expectancy by tackling malaria and introducing a vaccine against smallpox (Lalvani). The British had vaccines against diseases, but the demand for resources in British factories led to the British forcing farmers to grow cash crops that had little profit (doc 7). Farmers in India relied on their ability to grow food, but they couldn’t because they had to grow cash crops. On top of that the British increased taxes during the famine (doc 7). The British’s choices led to the death of 58 million people who died from starvation (doc 7). The British did bring vaccines, but the British were also the reason there were so many deaths due to starvation.
In conclusion, India did have a powerful government, a huge amount of infrastructure and an improved life expectancy under British rule, however, the British used these advantages for their interest rather than India’s. These were only some of the many effects imperialism had on India. These effects helped shape India into who they are today. Do you think what the British did was intended for them to get future benefits from India after they got their independence?