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Science as a tool for subjugation: An analysis of British rule in India

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Title Science as a tool for subjugation: An analysis of British rule in India
 
Creator GOVIND, MADHAV
YADAV, NIKHIL
 
Subject Colonial Science
Indigenous knowledge
Scientific rationality
Subjugation
Swadeshi movement
 
Description 22-36
The development of modern science was seen as one of the greatest
intellectual achievements of human beings that liberated human
society from centuries of superstitions and obscurantic beliefs
and practices. It paved the way for industrialisation, economic
development and overall prosperity of the country. The rapid pace
of industrialisation required the sourcing of raw materials from
far-off places and new markets for finished products. This led
to an expansion of the empire and competition among the imperial
powers to control as many areas as possible outside Europe.
British entry into India and their subsequent consolidation of power
over the Indian people were entirely different from all previous
incursions.
Science and technology were not used only as a force to take
over India physically, but also as a systematic intellectual tool to
subjugate Indians mentally and physically. Based on extensive
literature review and archival materials, in this paper, we have
analyzed how the introduction of science and technology in India
by colonial rulers was a systematic strategy to destroy India's
cultural heritage and prove that Indians by nature are inferior,
mentally and physically to Europeans. Our analysis shows that the
British established Scientific institutions in India to collect data on
natural resources for their efficient exploitation and further
expansion of their empire. In their policies and actions, they
discriminated, demoralised and even tried to devastate the Indian
mind by curtailing the available basic facilities needed to perform
their work. Science became a handy tool to legitimise their rule
over India.
 
Date 2022-07-27T10:44:55Z
2022-07-27T10:44:55Z
2022-06
 
Type Article
 
Identifier 2278-2796 (Online); 2278-2788 (Print)
http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/60167
 
Language en
 
Publisher NIScPR-CSIR, India
 
Source JST Vol.10(1-2) [January-June 2022]