What factors led to factions in India becoming resentful of British hegemony? What major characteristic of India hindered nationalism?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
The most significant characteristic of India was the existence of Hindu and Muslim factions, each of which had different ideas and plans for India's independence from Britain. Even within each community, there were varying degrees of resentment and different opinions about how to achieve independence. Factors that led to dissatisfaction with the British presence were the viceroy system, British repression of Indian industry; and the transfer of the capital to Delhi, the site of the former Mughal Empire, which was seen as insensitive. The British were supported during World War I by Indian troops and national supporters, who expected in return political concessions and respect. While Britain promised eventual self-government, its details were vague and unsatisfactory. Indians incurred a high population loss from starvation during the war, as well as losses in the influenza epidemic, and it was felt that the British did nothing to assist them. Finally, the General Dyer affair created considerable resentment (Dyer fired into a crowd of demonstrators in Punjab; later, the British lords not only delayed an investigation but ultimately rewarded Dyer for his service). As Indians began to lobby for self-rule, two main factions put forth an agenda: the Indian National Congress and the All-Muslim League. Britain made some minimal attempts to reform, but it was very slow and very little. Finally, during World War II, while India again supported the British, there was a famine in Bengal that could have been avoided had Britain not controlled access to the railroads in India, and some 2 million people starved to death. Mountbatten split India into Pakistan and India in 1947 to avoid further bloodshed. India was a British colony from the late eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Britain developed the infrastructure of India in the form of harbors, railroads, modern cities, and cotton and steel mills. Independence was granted gradually with full independence coming only after World War II. English rule provided many benefits. English became the lingua franca for a land with many different languages. English rule also created Western-educated professionals and bureaucrats who were to become the leaders of the independence movement. British rule was provided by a viceroy and administered by the Indian Civil Service. These individuals were scrupulously honest and imbued with a sense of duty toward the Indian people. They did, however, try to control the influx of technology and industry and were prejudiced against dark-skinned people.