English Civilization: The British Empire and India's Colonization

Englishness and Imperial Past

Englishness > is deeply connected with the imperial past and the Empire shaped English national identity. The colonization represents the contact with the other (we-they, self-other) British Empire > it was a small island; they were afraid of an invasion, so they had tendency towards aggressiveness. The empire was characterized by mobility, proximity to sea, political unity (Bill of Rights 1689) which means economic power + national ideology and commercial vivacity. In grew to include large areas of Africa, Australia, Asia, North America, New Zealand and small part of central and south America.

Key Historical Steps of the British Empire

STEPS: 16TH century-> first efforts to establish overseas settlements 17th century-> the expansion accelerated with establishment in North Am. And India 1606-1607 they created the Jamestown Colony in Virginia 1713 Threaty of Utrecht after Spanish war succession, GB got: Minorca, Gibraltar and slave trade from Africa to America 1756-1763 Seven Year War-> GB got Canada and India-> England is the most powerful colonizer and 1 st world power All the manufactured goods were sold in the colonies and then, food stuff, gold, silver, and other material were imported and sold in the mother country at high prices (low prices in c.) 1788 First settlement in Australia- 1806-> GB acquires the Cape of Good Hope-> Cape Colony 1834-> GB abolish slavery in its territories. Poor Low to help poor white immigrants C, AUS, NZ, Africa. 1839-42-> First Opium War-> China becomes a part of the Empire 1847-1867-> C/ Aus/ NZ/ Cape C. were given elected governments, total control of GB 1860-1870-> discovery of diamonds in south Africa-> economic revolution and investments 1869-> Canal of Suez was discovered, shorter route to Asia 1884-> Conference of Berlin to divide Africa in equal parts 1899-1902-> Anglo-Boer war-> In SAfrica characterized by death, guerrilla, epidemics 1914-1918 WWI-> now there is a negative perception of the Imperialism 1931-> took place the Commonwealth of Nations 1947-> India independent with the partition India-Pakistan1950s- 1960s-> gradual independence of Africa and West Indies 1997-> disengagement from Hong Kong-> end of the empire

Commonwealth of Nations Overview

Commonwealth of nations-> a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries-> Africa (21) Caribbean and Americas (13) Pacific (11) Asia (8) Europe (3, GB, Malta and Cyprus)

India: Jewel of the Crown

India was considered the jewel of the crown (Disraeli) and was crucial for the Empire, in 1876 Queen Victoria became the princess of India.

Early European Contacts with India

First contacts with India thanks to the Portuguese: 1488 Diaz reaches the cape of Good Hope 1487/98 Vasco da Gama reaches Calcutta-> the east was still a vague entity characterized by opulence, unreality, magic, deceit but was also fascinating for fashion, furniture, theatre pieces and knick-knacks.

East India Company's Commercial Beginnings

India was important to the Britons for commerce-> in 1600 was founded the East India Company for trade with East Indias, where they had monopoly. They tried to gain more and more control and in 1615 there was the diplomatic mission, Sir Thomas roe was sent to visit the Mughal Emperor who gave them permission to build factories in some areas. British trading posts in India were Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. By 1647 the Company has 23 factories of indigo dye, silk, cotton and tea.

Political Expansion in India

Political expansion-> No political control until the 18th century, then the Britons decided to decide to expand, it was an expansion made by coercion and treaty. No more central government, India was divided in different states unconnected and, often, in war with one another. Taking advantage of this confusion, the company decided to support some states, giving them military and financial support in exchange for some power. Three options: unequal treaties (economic level), advantageous treaties or direct control.

Seven Years War and British Dominance

7 years war(56-63)-> there was rivalry between FR and GB-> Treaty of Paris-> GB dominate in India. In 1756 in Calcutta, city of Bengal the richest part, the Nawab (ruler) locked 150 Britons in a prison called the black hole for not giving him cash gifts. When the news reached Madras, in which Robert Clive was working as a deputy-governor, the company sent a punitive expedition. Clive made a secret deal with Commander Jafar to eliminate the current nabob, (CORRUPTION) after a Battle he was executed and Mr Jafar became the new Nawab, but Clive had the real power. Calcutta became the East India Company Capital. Battle of Plessey-> the beginning of history of British India. Clive was invited to take part of the nabob's treasure, and he also shared it with the company. In 1767 he returned to England where he wanted to have important political and social roles. Clive tried to act like an aristocrat, so he tried to collect art to be accepted-> social aspirations of the nabob-> but he was seen as a corrupted man and the symbol of public discontent with the company. He travelled to Italy but he has depression and committed suicide in 1774.

Definition of Nabob

NABOB-> Begore a Muslim governor of a district and then officials of East India Company who returned rich to Britain, corrupted by the Orient and imitates the status of nobility: servants, country houses, hunting and art collections (grand tour of young aristocrats).

Regulation Act of 1773

Regulation of act 1773 -> it was an attempt to put the company under parliamentary control.

The Nabob by Samuel Foote (1772)

CONNECTION WITH THE NABOB-SAMUEL FOOTE 1772 The nabob of the story was modelled after Robert Clive, corrupted, arrogant, vulgar, greed with his fortunes. His name is Sir Matthwe Mite (parassita)

First Act of The Nabob

First Act At the Oldhams' house, Lord Oldham receives a letter from Mite, proposing to cancel his debt in exchange for marrying his daughter, Sophy. Mite wants to acquire Oldham's estate and secure a noble status. Oldham shares his dilemma with his brother, Thomas, a merchant, who agrees to speak to Mite. At Mite's house, the servants, Janus and Conserve, were arrogant. Mrs. Match'em, Mite's "amorous agent," is warmly welcomed, while Thomas is left waiting.

Second Act of The Nabob

Second Act Mite is seen treating rudely a flower seller, Mrs. Crocus. He reassures Mrs. Match'em that he wants a wife to enhance his social status. Mite discusses plans to establish a harem in London and ruthlessly attempts to buy an estate, offering four times its value to bypass the owner's resistance. His actions highlight his belief that wealth can manipulate English society, just as it did in the colonies.

Third Act of The Nabob

Third Act At the Antiquarian Society, Mite meets an old schoolmate but hypocritically pretends not to recognize him. Later, at the Oldhams' house, Mite repeats his marriage proposal. When they refuse, he threatens Lord Oldham through his lawyer, Mr. Rapine. Sophy considers sacrificing herself by accepting the marriage to save her family. But Thomas intervenes, pays the debt, and saves Sophy, allowing her to marry her cousin, whom she loves. Honest British values prevail over Mite's colonial corruption.

Political Background: East India Company Officials

Political background: By 1800 East India Company officials replaced Indians in administrative roles. These officials viewed themselves as a new nobility but lacked legitimacy in the eyes of the Indian population. To solve this problem, they adopted "Indianized" practices, using displays of wealth and power to align with local ideas of authority and impress the Indians.

Impeachment of Warren Hastings

THE IMPEACHMENT OF WARREN HASTINGS- EDM.BURKE (1788) Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India (1773), promoted cultural appropriation to assist British administration and commerce. He emphasized studying Indian law, religion, and language. William Jones, a judge in Bengal, founded the Asiatic Society in 1784 to promote modern Oriental studies. He translated Indian literature and analysed the Sanskrit language connections to Greek and Latin. These cultural policies encouraged "Indianization" of British officials, not for personal interest but to strengthen colonial control.Warren Hastings resigned in 1784 and was impeached by Edmund Burke in 1788 for corruption and bribery. His trial lasted from 1788 to 1795, heavily influencing public opinion. He was acquitted, Hastings spent most of his fortune on his defence.

Anglo-Indians: Lifestyle and Status

ANGLO INDIANS: Anglo-Indians, or British people living in India, viewed themselves as a new nobility, the successors of the Mughal elite. They adopted a hybrid lifestyle, blending Indian symbols of authority with English ceremonial traditions. With high salaries and significant power over Indian subjects, they lived luxuriously, enjoying privileges unavailable in Britain. Their status was represented through tiger hunts, a protective image toward Indian peasants, and employing numerous servants for even minor tasks.

Climate Theory and Indianization of British Bodies

The climate theory says that different climates produce different constitutions, so the Britons needed to Indianize their body to survive. British officials adopted different Indian practices, such as eating simple diets (rice and vegetables no wine meat), daily cold bathing and shampooing (no powder), to maintain hygiene and health. These habits improved personal cleanliness and became part of their lifestyle. Typical dresses were loose drawers + a sort of morning gown cut in the native fashion and pyjamas > Indianization of the English body = help to survival + necessary to the process of making India a British possession. The English adopted only the beautiful and necessary things from the Indians.

Oriental Vices and Sexual Temptations

Oriental vices among the British in India included the use of hookahs and expensive tobacco, often mixed with opium, to have mora pleasure. Sexual temptations were linked to the tropical climate, believed to increase desire and weaken health, with practices like nautch dances, Indian mistresses, and mixed marriages reflecting these influences.

British Women and Indianization

British women in India faced stricter limits on Indianization as they were seen as symbols of Western morality and refinement. While doctors recommended to men loose Indian robes for health, women wore them only in private. In public, they adopted Indian elements like muslin and shawls as fashion items, maintaining their image of Western propriety. 'Hindoo' Stuart (1758-1828) -> Major General Charles Stuart: totally embraced Hindu culture, supported simplicity in clothing. He encouraged English women to adopt the sari, recommended as "elegant, simple, sensible and sensual (with the veil, in England they used bold clothes).

India's Unique Colonial Status

WHY INDIA? India was different from other British colonies because only a few Britons administrators went there, there wasn't a huge immigration. India had its own religions, traditions, and government, unlike places like America or Australia where British settlers brought their culture and values. The British felt that their liberal ideas didn't fit with India's long history of strict rulers.

Late 18th Century Debates on India

LATE 18TH CENTURY: Britain learned more about India, sparking debates. The East India Company opened a museum in 1791, and Indian culture influenced British fashion. Some admired Hinduism for its openness and female deities, but others criticized it as backward and harsh, especially after Thomas Maurice's writings (different from William Jones). People argued whether Hinduism was peaceful and moral or just superstitions that