Discuss the Emergence of Social Classes in British India

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Discuss the emergence of social classes in British India was the direct consequence of the establishment according to following point.

  • New Social Economy
  • New State System
  • Administrative Machinery
  • Western Education

There were many princely states in India, when British came to India. India was not a unitary state. Some states were rich, some were not. Indian had divided into many social, economic classes, and they were not developed. Earlier it was divided on the basis of caste.

The western education introduced by British helped Indian middle class to get English education. Because of modern education. Which introduced English language helped India unite. English education divided India in two groups, one loyal to English and other not loyal to British. By this education a new middle class. English educated social group came into existence, which were not loyal to British. They prepared a platform for the national movement. This class used the English education to create a wariness among Indians. On the other hand, a high class English educated group was loyal to British. They joined either British services or were directly related to the ruling system. Similarly, Zamindars and princes were loyal to British.

British introduced a new system of administration in India. They introduced a Rule of law in the territories. Modern judiciary came up. It emphasis for decentralized type of government. A natural corollary to the principle of equality before the law was introduced. This certainly was novel feature in a caste- ridden society. Equality before law of the new judicial system wiped out earlier differences of Indian society.
British introduce many social reform measures like Abolition of sati in 1829, widow remarriage Act 1856, etc. creates infrastructe like introducing Railways in India. These helped industries to get access to the market and also the raw material centers.

Economical changes also dragged people from their old traditional village professions to urban industrial labouring. Apart from high and middle class another class was of the people who were exploited by British or even Indians. They did not get the benefits of the British policy and were exploited by the Zamindars. So, it can be said that British new education system, economic development, the administrative reforms and social policy changes created a class society.

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