It’d be a lie if we said that we’re completely over the colonial hangover left over by the two centuries of British rule. Today, living in an independent India, it’s hard to imagine a foreign nation ruling over us. A lot of blood was shed for the sweet taste of freedom and there’s nothing that we cherish more than being independent. Having said so, just for the sake of the mind’s exercise, let’s try to imagine the things that may have happened if the British never really ruled India. What about Democracy? There’s hardly any suggestion of democracy in pre-British India. The British introduced the Parliamentary elections in India with the Indian Council Act of 1861. It was the first time that Indians could vote for the Lok Sabha which translates to “Council of the people”. Although the British would retain responsibilities for the defense and foreign affairs of India, they did introduce electoral systems to the country which otherwise may have remained a monarchy for years to follow.

The formation of a consolidated army

Today, India has one of the strongest defense in the world. However, it would have been difficult for India to form such a strong army today had it not been trained for warfare under the British.

Contradicting the previous point, India’s involvement in the World War helped the country form a discipline needed in international warfare and handling modern ammunition and incorporating advanced battle techniques could have remained far-fetched for India without the British influence.

Indian industries may have flourished better

The industrial revolution of Britain owes much to de-industrialization of our country. The Indian textile industry was almost destroyed and our raw materials were used to manufacture textiles in England which were sold back to us along with the rest of the world.

The hand-loom weavers of Bengal were imposed with sky-high tariffs, had their looms broken and reduced to beggars.Therefore, India could have been the largest exporters of textiles in the world had their ways not been curbed by the British.