British Approach to Indian Society

This section is where the story of British social policy in India takes a turning point.
Up to now, we’ve been discussing different schools of thought inside the colonial administration — conservatives, imperialists, radicals — and the debates between Orientalists and Anglicists.

Now, we see how these ideas actually played out in policy — moving from non-interference to partial modernisation, and finally to a retreat after 1858.

Phase 1 – Cautious Non-Interference (till 1813)

Under Warren Hastings and early administrators:

• British rule was consciously based on India’s own customs and traditions.
• Social and religious institutions were left largely untouched.
• The logic:
  • Avoid provoking resistance.
  • Keep local elites cooperative.
  • Govern through existing structures rather than replacing them.

Key point: Till 1813, colonial rule was culturally conservative — interference in religion and social customs was minimal.

Phase 2 – Shift Towards Modernisation (post-1813)

After 1813, multiple forces pushed the British to intervene more actively in India’s social and cultural life.

1. Industrialisation in Britain

• Britain’s rising manufacturing sector needed new markets.
• To sell British goods in India, society itself had to change — new tastes, desires, and lifestyles.
• Charter Act of 1813 ended the Company’s trade monopoly (except tea, opium, and China trade) → trade with India opened to all British merchants.
• Modernisation was seen as a commercial strategy.

2. Emergence of New Thought

• Radicals like Jeremy Bentham, James Mill, John Stuart Mill argued for:
  • Westernisation and scientific education.
  • Replacement of traditional learning with modern knowledge.
• Criticised the orientalism of Warren Hastings as outdated.

3. Christian Missionaries

• Motivated by religious goals — wanted to spread Christianity.
• Criticised Indian customs from a theological perspective.
• Believed Western education would:
  • Break faith in “native religions”.
  • Prepare ground for mass conversions.
• Built schools, colleges, hospitals — often with British official support.
• Interestingly, they sometimes clashed with rationalist Radicals, who were equally sceptical about Christian mythology.

4. Indian Social Reformers

• Leaders like Raja Rammohun Roy recognised India’s social decay.
• Advocated science and humanism as keys to revival.
• Campaigned against harmful customs and supported modernisation — sometimes aligning with British reform policies.

The Policy of Partial Modernisation

Even with all these pressures, the British never aimed for full modernisation. Why?

Reasons:

1. Conservative Outlook – Many officials still feared destabilising traditional society.
2. Fear of Backlash – Even Radicals wanted to avoid religious revolts that could threaten British control.
3. Colonial Interest –
   • Enough modernisation to aid administration and commerce.
   • But not enough to empower Indians politically or challenge British dominance.

Meaning of “Partial Modernisation”:

• Introduce reforms in areas like law, education, and infrastructure.
• Avoid deep interference in religion or caste structure if it risked unrest.
• Accept reforms only when they aligned with British commercial and political interests.

Example: Modern education was promoted not just for “progress” but to create a class of Indians who would be good customers and collaborators.

Phase 3 – Retreat After 1858

After the Revolt of 1857 and the takeover by the British Crown:

• Many Indians, inspired by modern ideas, began demanding liberty, equality, and nationalism.
• The British feared these demands could fuel political resistance.
• Shifted towards allying with conservative elements in Indian society.
• Encouraged casteism and communal divisions as a way to weaken national unity.
• Gradually withdrew official support from social reform movements.

Key Takeaways for UPSC

• Till 1813 → Policy of non-interference.
• 1813–1858 → Gradual move towards partial modernisation, driven by economic, ideological, missionary, and reformist pressures.
• Post-1858 → Retreat from reform; siding with conservative forces to maintain control.
• This timeline explains why British social policy was always a balancing act between change for economic gain and preservation for political stability.