The mentioned above Spice Islands were of a high value since such spices as nutmeg and cloves could be found only there and could later bring a lot of profits.
All the tradesmen of the EIC became so rich that they were able to allow themselves to return to Britain, obtain more businesses, estates and even political power, which some of them did. With time, the British began to spread not only its trading power in India, but also military and political... In the middle of the XIX century, the British were more or less controlling almost the whole territory of India, which then became known as British India, the most valuable part of the British Empire.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE?
As you can imagine, the population in India increased a lot against that backdrop! Many British families of middle and high classes were coming to India, then Anglo-Indian families began to emerge. How was their life? Did they interact with Indians? And, which is very important, what language did they speak?
All the tradesmen of the EIC became so rich that they were able to allow themselves to return to Britain, obtain more businesses, estates and even political power, which some of them did. With time, the British began to spread not only its trading power in India, but also military and political... In the middle of the XIX century, the British were more or less controlling almost the whole territory of India, which then became known as British India, the most valuable part of the British Empire.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE?
As you can imagine, the population in India increased a lot against that backdrop! Many British families of middle and high classes were coming to India, then Anglo-Indian families began to emerge. How was their life? Did they interact with Indians? And, which is very important, what language did they speak?
In 1600, Queen Elizabeth I approved another travel project on trade in the East Indies which got the name of "Governor and Compony of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies".
ENGLISH EXPANSION IN INDIA
In 1611, the East India Company (EIC) established its first Indian factory, after two years - another one. By 1647, the compony had 23 factories!
By the middle of the XVII century, the British East India Compony had grown a lot which even led to the conflict the Dutch East India Trade Compony - there were four Anglo-Dutch Wars.
ENGLISH EXPANSION IN INDIA
In 1611, the East India Company (EIC) established its first Indian factory, after two years - another one. By 1647, the compony had 23 factories!
By the middle of the XVII century, the British East India Compony had grown a lot which even led to the conflict the Dutch East India Trade Compony - there were four Anglo-Dutch Wars.
There is a book called "The Secret Garden" written by Frances Hodgson Burnett which tells us about a neglected and unloved 10-year-old girl born in British India in a wealthy family of English merchants. She is looked after by Indian servants who do everything she asks for which later makes her a spoiled and bad-mannered girl. The book is really interesting to read and look at the life of the British in India and how Indian servants were treated.
Some pages from "The Secret Garden" of the Black Cat publisher:
However, there was a big division in the Indian society itself. Meanwhile poor Indians were serving wealthy British merchants and clerks, Indians of higher classes didn't mind that much the British rule in their country, which had a name of the British Raj. Rich Indians were able to educate their children in English schools, could work in the civil services, etc.
This fact is often claimed to be the explanation to why and how Britain was able to control such a large and populous territory as India - Indian society was divided and many people approved the British Raj on their land.
This fact is often claimed to be the explanation to why and how Britain was able to control such a large and populous territory as India - Indian society was divided and many people approved the British Raj on their land.
As for Indians, it was even worse. While English children were surrounded by servants and could make any orders they wished, Indians were working very hard. Economy depended a lot on child labour at that time. Diseases, poverty, malnutrition and exploitation should be added to that. The British would often behave in a highly unkind way with their Indian servants who had to carry out all orders unquestioningly.
CONCLUSION
India is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. The fact of not having its own and single national language tells a lot about this country. In the north they prefer Hindi, to the east they speak Bengali, while in the southern parts they use Marathi and many more other languages and dialects.
But that doesn't make the usage and importance of English less popular! Maybe the opposite. English, even 60 years after the end of the British rule over India, continues to be a significant part of Indian society and culture, which is also noticeable in Britain! Indian cuisine and many Indian words in English are just some of the examples... But it's already another topic for discussion!
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