Apologists for empire like to claim that the British brought democracy,the rule of law and trains to India. Isn’t it a bit wealthy to oppress, torture and imprison a people for 200 years, or then take credit for benefits that were entirely accidental?Many modern apologists for British colonial rule in India no longer contest the basic facts of imperial exploitation and plunder,rapacity and loot, which are too deeply documented to be challengeable. Instead they offer a counter-argument: granted, and the British took what they could for 200 years,but didn’t they also leave behind a much deal of lasting benefit? In specific, political unity and democracy, or the rule of law,railways, English education, and even tea and cricket?Indeed,the British like to point out that the very idea of “India” as one entity (now three, but one during the British Raj), and instead of multiple warring principalities and statelets,is the incontestable contribution of British imperial rule.
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Source: theguardian.com