Category 27 · Modern History

British Policies and Their Impact

5 micro topics in Modern History for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Administrative Policies: Divide and Rule, Zamindars, Social Services and Labour Laws; Restrictions on the Press and White Racism; and 3 more.

1. 27.1

   Administrative Policies: Divide and Rule, Zamindars, Social Services and Labour Laws

   After 1857 British administrative policy turned reactionary, on the pretext that Indians were unfit for self-government. The rulers practised divide and rule, treated the educated middle class with hostility, built alliances with princes and zamindars, withdrew…

2. 27.2

   Restrictions on the Press and White Racism

   Nationalists used the press to educate opinion and criticise the government. Metcalfe lifted restrictions on the Indian press in 1835, but Lytton's Vernacular Press Act of 1878 curbed the Indian-language press and was repealed in 1882…

3. 27.3

   British Social and Cultural Policy in India

   Until 1813 the British followed a policy of non-interference in India's social, religious and cultural life. After 1813, new interests and ideas in Britain, from the Industrial Revolution, the intellectual revolution and the French Revolution, pushed…

4. 27.4

   Role of Christian Missionaries and the Indian Renaissance

   Christian missionaries, allowed into India by the Charter Act of 1813, saw Christianity as a superior religion and hoped westernisation would weaken Indian faith in its own culture. They backed the Radicals for their scientific approach,…

5. 27.5

   British Policy Towards Princely States and Foreign Policy

   After 1857 British policy towards the princely states had two aims: to use them as a bulwark of the empire and to subordinate them completely (the policy of subordinate union). Annexation was given up for deposing…

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Frequently asked questions

Which topics are in British Policies and Their Impact?

British Policies and Their Impact has 5 micro topics in Modern History: Administrative Policies: Divide and Rule, Zamindars, Social Services and Labour Laws; Restrictions on the Press and White Racism; British Social and Cultural Policy in India; Role of Christian Missionaries and the Indian Renaissance; British Policy Towards Princely States and Foreign Policy.

Is British Policies and Their Impact important for UPSC Prelims?

British Policies and Their Impact is a part of the UPSC Prelims Modern History syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 5 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.