Role Of Colonial Powers in Social Reforms
First Phase (1772-1813)
- The company followed a policy of non-intervention in Indian socio-cultural matters (earlier focus was only on commercial activities).
- Not only were missionaries prohibited from pursuing work in India, but a sense of respect was also shown towards the indigenous beliefs and religions.
- Orientalists such as James Princep, Jonathan Duncan, Munroe, etc. encouraged the study of ancient texts to understand Indian society (Asiatic Society of Bengal).
- There were attempts at reforming a few evil orthodox practices (Bengal Act, 1775 prohibiting infanticide and Regulation X in 1811 mandating the abolition of slavery).
Second Phase (1819-57)
- English Industrial revolution demanded a dedicated market to sell the final product. Which in turn required the Indians to believe in the superiority of the British and appreciate the British culture and sensibilities.
- Indian-educated intellectuals brought intentional initiatives to get reforms in the society (Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar). East India Company helped them through legislative support. This included abolition of Sati, Thuggee and Dacoity Suppression Acts, Widow Remarriage Act, and prohibiting slavery.
Third Phase (1857-85)
- The revolt of 1857 jolted the British rule in its Indian Colony. Its policy of active intervention was considered one of the reasons which fomented discontent among the Indian masses. Following the transfer of ruling powers to the Crown from the Company, the British policy was expected to revert to non-intervention practised by it during its first phase.
- However, the British took even one more step back and supported the orthodox and conservative elements to maintain peace. In this phase, the only act passed by the British was the Native marriage Act, of 1872 which prohibited child marriage and polygamy and recognized inter-caste marriages.
Fourth Phase (After 1885)
- This phase once again saw a shift in British socio-cultural policies in India as the organization of Congress in 1885 and the subsequent emergence of Indian Nationalism forced the British to take steps to bring reforms to tackle several social evils. In this phase, there was the passage of the Age of Consent Bill in 1891 which mandated the minimum age of the bride to be 12 years for the marriage to be considered legal.
- In 1930, this act was improved upon and introduced in the form of the Sharda Act, according to which 14 and 18 were fixed as the minimum marriageable age for girls and boys respectively. In another progressive act passed in 1937, Women were given property right (The Hindu Women’s Right to Property Act 1937).
Effects of British Social Policies
Positive effects
- Modern education played a role in weakening the feudal grip over Indian society.
- Indians came in touch with the progressive values of European enlightenment such as freedom, democracy, fraternity, humanism and constitutionalism. Subsequently, these values motivated the Indians to participate in the anti-imperialistic freedom movement.
- Social policies as well as the modern education policies of the British played a role in the emergence of a middle class which recognized the exploitation of India by the British and provided leadership to the movements against this oppression.
- Legislation against social evils helped in their weakening or elimination as well as helped the most disadvantaged and oppressed sections of society.
Negative Effects
- British claims of being superior developed a feeling of inferiority among Indians.
- Choice of western education and limited means of its propagation automatically meant that most Indians were left without education.
- Missionaries associated with the propagation of education aimed for maximum proselytization (religious conversions) and this gave rise to many social tensions.
- Legislation did not necessarily represent the sensibility of the masses and society. Since the attempts towards it were also half-hearted and limited. However, often they failed to produce any significant change in society.
Therefore, it can be said that British social policies were directed towards the support they provided to British rule in India. No such steps were taken which held the potential of interfering with British political or trading interests. The modernization was kept at a level sufficient for the utilization of colonial rule.
