Cultural Encounter In British India

The colonisation of the British over India has left a major impact on the cultural dissection of India for a long period of time. The present study is going to discuss the concept of cultural encounters during the British period in India by outlining the social and cultural changes of that time. It will further discuss the influence of British culture over the traditional culture along with the discussion of cultural and social policies introduced by the British in modern India. 

What Is a Cultural Encounter? 

A cultural encounter is a concept of interaction between two culturally different people according to the social norms of different groups. The cultural encounters involve conflicting values, cultural assumptions, adaptation to different cultures and racial superiority. Cultural interactions can be effective in terms of absorbing the positivity of other cultures and moulding them based on certain cultures for certain people. Despite the positive side of cultural interaction, it can also foster violent confrontation and enforcement of certain cultures without its demand among certain races and ethnicities. 

Discussion on the Cultural Encounters during the British Period in India 

The incorporation of British culture among Indians was both beneficial and troublesome at times. The British culture was distinctive for the Indians at that time and it was not accepted widely among the Indians at the starting. The seventeenth-century India was a medieval glory for the country to cherish their culture that was challenged by the British while enforcing their culture among Indians. The British tried to introduce the western culture of dressing, music and literature among the Indians through their cultural interactions. Indians on the other hand did not accept the culture wholeheartedly as India already had an enriched culture at that time. The cultural encounter between the British and the Indians generated a galvanised and jolting culture and lifestyle between themselves that remained the same even in the modern times in India. 

Social Changes Due to Cultural Encounters in British India 

The social changes in India can be divided into different phases during the British rule in India over time. After the emancipation of India from the crown rule, the involvement of the British rule left a major impression on the Indian society for a long period of time. The influence of the western culture first touched the Indian higher-class societies where they became more inclined toward the western educational style and western culture. After the penetration of Indian higher-class society, the British published many acts and regulations that were made based in an attempt to enforce European culture among the Indians. 

Cultural Changes in India during the British Rule 

During British rule, the Indian societies underwent many changes starting from social reformations to the incorporation of Indian culture into modern India. Some of the cultural interactions were beneficial for that time in India as they helped the nation to become progressive in terms of typically irrational traditions and norms. On the contrary, the superstitious and typical perception of the British towards Indian culture enforced the incorporation of European culture among the Indians. The cultural dimensions of India eventually changed due to the repeated enforcement of European culture among the Indian culture during British rule. 

Influence of British Culture on the Indian Culture 

The cultural encounter between British culture and Indian culture influenced the reformation of Indian society in the nineteenth century. Many irrational and superstitious norms were revoked during that period because of the rational approach of British culture at that time. Norms like child marriage, polygamy, dowry and sati were revoked during this time that eventually influenced rationality in the Indian culture.  

A Short Note on the British Cultural and Social Policies in India 

During British rule, much social and cultural integration was made in India based on the influence of British culture. Some of the cultural and social policies are:

• Non-interference policy
• Religious and cultural life policy
• Partial modernization policies

Conclusion 

The interaction between the British and the Indians is a major cultural encounter as both the people come from opposite types of cultural and social norms. During British rule, many cultural and social dimensions were changed and the traditional Indian cultures were replaced with amalgamated European culture. The British rule made the Indian culture more inclined toward colonial acceptance and made them vulnerable to further invasions of European culture over time. Hence, the British had a major cultural impact on Indian society as well as the traditional lifestyle of modern India.