the British leveraged the divide in the societies and petty fights between decadent rulers on the subcontinent to the hilt. If the collection of such ragtag states, named India, would have been possible with French, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish fought and kept their share, like they did in Africa, is debatable.
The brahmin ministers, petty rulers and other castes made a choice for their convenience or were forced through coercion and we see the result today. In fact, the mutinty of 1857 was also about a maratha peshwa being denied a pension! That explains the submission to business and personal gains was complete well before 1857.
Independent India made a mistake of not educating the masses in their native languages, the elite continued with English and replaced the brits. Our new nationalism is based on traditions left behind centuries ago, because the masses have no awareness of any other plan to develop themselves
British rule was golden era in Indian History 1. British unified over 550 princely states into a single entity. 2. They ended Moslem domination in India and liberated Hinddus from 1000-year long subjugation that eventually led to the rise of Hinddu intellectual class who could eventually fight for the freedom of India. 3. British built excellent dams, bridges, railways, roads, etc which unheard in the rest of Asia (during 19th century). 4. British opened many universities and colleges in India, which helped Hinddus to rise as an intellectual class. 5. British introduced English helped India to become a software superpower in the world today. 6. British rule considerably weakened the barbaric caste-system, even though remnants of the system remain. Even superstitions decreased to a great extent. 7. Due to better medical services, death rate dropped and birth rate increased. 8. Railways, postal services, modern education, English medicine, etc rapidly improved the standards and quality of life. 9. HHindus were living under complete subjugation of Mozlems. British rule gave great religious freedom to HHindus 10. British rule altogether gave a new direction to Indians who were mired in ignorance, superstitions, caste-barbarity and opened an era of modern civilization in India.
