Introduction
The rise of Imperial Liberalism in Britain led to dramatic change within many nations throughout the nineteenth century through the expansion of British Empire abroad, as well as other forms of encounters between British colonisers or conquerors and its vassal states. There has always, however, been a double aspect to such expansions. This gives clear attention to liberalism 's ability to negotiate difference in a context of empire and to inspire the audiences through the analysis of imperial rule. There are a series of arguments concerning the liberal critics of the British Empire. At a practical level, ‘liberal’ thought often refers to colonisation, trade and conquest in the form of multi-faceted transcultural and coexisting …show more content…
This is reflected through the Renaissance period in particular. The central figure of this culture and religious awakening was Rammohun Roy, who is known as the “father of the modern India.” Rammohun Roy was also a great scholar, linguist, patriot and humanist. Roy was a primarily a Westernised Indian who succeeded in mediating between Western and Indian moral and religious beliefs. As a pioneer of Indian religious reforms, Roy had heavily campaigned in Bengal for the diffusion of modern knowledge and the multilingual studies of languages as well as the intellectual traditions of Western Europe. In a sense, he explores many avenues from Western ideas and consequently adopts those aspects to best suit India as he states, “As he turns to examine the ideas and ways of the West…he was able to choose those that struck him as beneficial… and to reject those that did not.” Furthermore, Roy was interested in reforming a traditional Hindu culture , which indicates the lines of progression for Indian society under British rule. He preached about the unity of God and made early translations of Vedic scriptures into English. He tried to integrate Western culture with features of India’s traditions. Significantly, Roy contended to purify and reshape Hinduism as a doctrine on monotheism – a belief in “One True God” which is loosely patterned on Christianity. He also redefined …show more content…
Mill criticised Macaulay’s views on Indian education. Mill did not completely reject all of Macaulay’s ideas, but instead came to describe his ideal of imperialism in a very distinctive way. Mill argues for the normative legitimacy of British imperial rule. He regarded imperial rule as a solution to social dilemma. He claims that the best resolution for the problem resides in universal benefits. Clearly, Mill’s perspective on British imperialism in India was based on the idea of utilitarianism; usefulness as the measure of all good policy. In other words, he tried to access what made a good policy in secular terms. Mill interpreted his arguments about the normative legitimacy of imperial rule and defended colonisation throughout his life. Mill called for the retention of the old language by keeping the people satisfied, and “creating emotional attachment or allegiance” in order to despatch the belief of liberty among Indian populace. He encouraged the study of non-western tradition and culture and tried to trace the numerous ways in which imperial thought circulates across the world. Therefore, the potential for a loss of identity, control and self-determination in the instance of eradicating traditional languages is significant, given the
The rise of Imperial Liberalism in Britain led to dramatic change within many nations throughout the nineteenth century through the expansion of British Empire abroad, as well as other forms of encounters between British colonisers or conquerors and its vassal states. There has always, however, been a double aspect to such expansions. This gives clear attention to liberalism 's ability to negotiate difference in a context of empire and to inspire the audiences through the analysis of imperial rule. There are a series of arguments concerning the liberal critics of the British Empire. At a practical level, ‘liberal’ thought often refers to colonisation, trade and conquest in the form of multi-faceted transcultural and coexisting …show more content…
This is reflected through the Renaissance period in particular. The central figure of this culture and religious awakening was Rammohun Roy, who is known as the “father of the modern India.” Rammohun Roy was also a great scholar, linguist, patriot and humanist. Roy was a primarily a Westernised Indian who succeeded in mediating between Western and Indian moral and religious beliefs. As a pioneer of Indian religious reforms, Roy had heavily campaigned in Bengal for the diffusion of modern knowledge and the multilingual studies of languages as well as the intellectual traditions of Western Europe. In a sense, he explores many avenues from Western ideas and consequently adopts those aspects to best suit India as he states, “As he turns to examine the ideas and ways of the West…he was able to choose those that struck him as beneficial… and to reject those that did not.” Furthermore, Roy was interested in reforming a traditional Hindu culture , which indicates the lines of progression for Indian society under British rule. He preached about the unity of God and made early translations of Vedic scriptures into English. He tried to integrate Western culture with features of India’s traditions. Significantly, Roy contended to purify and reshape Hinduism as a doctrine on monotheism – a belief in “One True God” which is loosely patterned on Christianity. He also redefined …show more content…
Mill criticised Macaulay’s views on Indian education. Mill did not completely reject all of Macaulay’s ideas, but instead came to describe his ideal of imperialism in a very distinctive way. Mill argues for the normative legitimacy of British imperial rule. He regarded imperial rule as a solution to social dilemma. He claims that the best resolution for the problem resides in universal benefits. Clearly, Mill’s perspective on British imperialism in India was based on the idea of utilitarianism; usefulness as the measure of all good policy. In other words, he tried to access what made a good policy in secular terms. Mill interpreted his arguments about the normative legitimacy of imperial rule and defended colonisation throughout his life. Mill called for the retention of the old language by keeping the people satisfied, and “creating emotional attachment or allegiance” in order to despatch the belief of liberty among Indian populace. He encouraged the study of non-western tradition and culture and tried to trace the numerous ways in which imperial thought circulates across the world. Therefore, the potential for a loss of identity, control and self-determination in the instance of eradicating traditional languages is significant, given the