Cultural Expansion

It is evident that in the world today, relationships between nations separated by oceans may even be stronger than that with their neighbouring countries. It is evident that some of these particular nations have coinciding economic, financial or social benefits. Yet, what drove the world to discover new countries and cultures, ideas and perspectives?

The answer, or rather answers to this rather significant question may be stated quite simply. First, in order to expand territories, to conquer and exert power and exploit resources, and secondly, in order obtain items of value, in essence, trade.

While not encompassing all possibilities, it can be stated that these two reasons contribute significantly when considering this topic. For example, why did the British Empire seek to spread their influence in the Indian Subcontinent, whilst targeting India specifically. At first, it was trade. The nation of Great Britain did not possess a variety of materials or resources, whilst India as a country was situated in such a geographical position, where there was an abundance of soil fertility, allowing for the growth of varied crops, spices, and natural materials. It was therefore only logical that the Empire attempt form relations with the nation. However, once realising the importance and value of the continent itself, conquering the opposing nation seemed only logical. In order to increase the power and wealth of the British Empire, to exploit the resources of the Indian sub- continent, and expand territorial boundaries.

The Indian nation, as a result of this, whilst under a foreign rule, also benefited from the technological advancement of the British themselves. The Indian railway system itself, is an extremely significant example of this fact. It was also inevitable that the ignorance and backward values and traditions of the nation at that point were forced to evolve, and increased, varied education and the introduction of new, western policies and governments aided in the transformation of Indian society to a more 'developed' standpoint.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi himself was an educated 'lawyer', a western job, that required western education. It was this education, this knowledge that he used against the British themselves, finally providing India with a freedom, of sorts. This resulted in a certain sort of 'interconnectedness' between the two nations, a forced, but beneficial exchange of ideas and thoughts, material goods.

It can be stated, however, that this forced interconnectedness had significant drawbacks. The Indian nation was exploited. Natural resources forcibly taken, wealth and spices and land completely saturated. The country faced massive problems. However, these are simply consequences that 'interconnectedness' brings. One country shall always benefit, if only slightly, more than the other. And such is the nature of humanity, and thus, the world.

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Written by Raghav Pathak