Bad Times and Good Times in India?

When we talk about the British Empire nowadays we mainly see it as the big exploiter that caused much pain and suffering. Just as we watched a video sequence about the Amritsar Massacre I started wondering whether there would also be a positive side to the British rule. Britain of course was benefitting from India, especially economically and when it comes to military. But what about India?

It is important for me to mention here that I am not trying to soft-pedal the actions of the British as they are undoubtedly dreadful. However, there also has to be some positive effects. In the late 19th and early 20th century according to the National Archives (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/empire/g2/cs4/background.htm) some improvements seemed to happen to India. For example, public health and life expectancy increased as water supplies improved and a quinine treatment against malaria was performed. Unlike other imperial countries and their lands, Britain also only took about 1 % of India’s wealth per year then and additionally invested about £400. Further, they also improved farming methods by introducing an irrigation programme as well as developing a coal industry that has not existed before. When it comes to the people, the National Archives state that the big landowners, Indian princes and the Indian middle classes certainly have benefitted in terms of job opportunities, business opportunities and careers within the field of law and so on. The ordinary Indian in contrast to this has, however, not gained much. This is without regard to the British rule, as an Indian rule would have not made much difference in their lives and the majority would have remained poor even if they were ruled by Indians. I think that these facts are certainly a positive influence of the British rule in India if one is looking for some good parts during these bad times. However, I doubt that these effects would have failed to appear if it was not for the British, although it might have taken longer. Therefore, it takes a bit away from the good-actions done by the British.