How Did British Imperialism Revise The Legal System In India?

Imperialism helps nationalism grow, improves communication, and revised the legal system in India. To begin with, British imperialism helped to revise the legal system in India. Several things needed to be changed therefore many reforms began to occur. The legal system changed to promote justice towards all Indians no matter their classes. They worked to put an end to the caste system and slavery once and for all. Much of the population was Hindu and followed the Hindu customs and traditions even those that were hurtful or not beneficial to society or the country of India. For example one of the Hindu customs referred to as “Sati” is a belief that a widow must join her husband in death therefore she is required to throw herself unto his funeral
fires. Practicing this belief caused many women to lose their lives along with their husbands, this became such a big problem in India that the legal system passed a law that forbade anyone from practicing this custom. To continue, British imperialism also had many positive effects on India’s ways of communication. For example many railroads and roads were constructed around India, which helped the people of India move around the country in a more efficient way. Also, telegraphs and the new and improved postal system improved communication for all the people and throughout the country. The improvement of communication and contact throughout India helped all of the people unite as one nation and this gave India a great sense of unity. After all of these new forms and methods of communications were introduced Britain was able to gain a better control of India. Furthermore, British imperialism caused nationalism to grow all throughout India. Soon after the British came into power, a new class of western educated Indians emerged which people thought would aid British power instead the complete opposite occurred. Once these western educated Indians were exposed to European ideas they became to start up a nationalist movement because they had learned new ideals of democracy and equality. Around 1885, some nationalist leaders decided to organize a Congress party known as the Indian National Congress. This congress believed in peaceful protests in order to have more of a democracy and more power to other Indians as well. They also supported and believed in a western style modernization and hoped for self-rule in the future. Throughout this time the ideals of democracy and equality were spread throughout the entire country. In conclusion, British imperialism had many positive affects on India’s society and government such as a revised legal system, better communication, and nationalism spread.