India’s history must be taught correctly
Growing up in an Indian family, I’ve always been aware of India’s history of colonization, so when I was assigned a project about it, I expected to see articles describing the horror India faced. When looking through the school’s database, however, I was shocked to find the featured articles were solely narratives praising the British. These articles, meant to educate students, do the opposite, spreading false claims commending British actions.
Every featured article my group and I found glorified British rule in India using phrases like “reform the evils of Indian society,” portraying colonization as something India should be thankful for. It is absurd to think India would thank Britain for destroying centuries of thriving industries, murdering thousands and attempting to erase Indian culture and religion and replace it with their own. It is absolutely absurd that they would ever thank Britain for poisoning the subcontinent with poverty, malnutrition, disease, violence and a sense of racial inferiority.
Additionally, not one featured article covered the partition of 1947. The partition was the geographical division of North East India into two independent states: India and Pakistan. The boundaries enforced by this partition were drawn up by an English lawyer who had never traveled to India before. The borders were drawn for the convenience of the British, with zero regard for the warring religious communities that would be affected by the divide. The millions of lives lost were not of concern to the British and in turn it led to one of the greatest tragedies in history. The partition displaced 10 to 20 million Indians and millions more were slaughtered. War erupted between the majority Hindu-India and majority Muslim-Pakistan.
Another topic I found lacking in explanation was how the British economy and military thrived off of the backs of Indian citizens and the natural resources that the country provided. Britain took what was once the richest country in the world and reduced it to nothing but a poverty stricken supplier of raw materials. India’s men were even hired to fight for Britain’s army in World War II and perished largely with no recognition. I have yet to see resources in our school database and textbook that show these truths.
By the time the partition occurred, India gained their independence, but a once shining new country full of potential was left with bloodstains and bodies, an unforgettable reminder of everything they lost.
For school-approved sources to glorify British rule and argue that they “inspired a generation of freedom fighters” is disgusting. A country shouldn’t have to have it’s freedom taken away to learn how to fight for it. Indian colonization was a tragedy impacting millions, yet to this day countless textbooks, history sites and articles, including our very own school database, spread the lie that Britain did India a favor. The database exists for high school students to find factual, truthful information. To find that not a single featured article in this district database contained an accurate perspective on the tragedy of British imperialism is sickening. Clearly schools are lacking in providing an actual education that informs students of more than just the white man’s side of history.
