The sixth episode of the BBC documentary series is devoted to the history of India’s independence from the influence of other states. Attention is paid to the East India Company’s enormous power, which in the 19th century managed to take under its huge significant sea and land territories. The episode’s creators examine the East India Company archives at the British Library in London.
The British East India Company, like its Dutch counterpart, was a state within a state. Having its army and actively influencing the British Empire’s development became one of the most critical factors in the state’s brilliant financial position. The company allowed the British to create a colonial empire, including the pearl of the British crown – India.
In addition to historical information and descriptions of political events, the show tells about technology development. Particular attention is paid to the growth of production of printed publications: newspapers and books. The availability of literature led to education availability, which later became one reason for the struggle for independence and getting rid of foreign oppression.
Overall, the episode reveals a causal relationship between historical events that influenced the formation of modern India. This country is affected by many completely different cultural paradigms: ancient traditional foundations, Western influence, the struggle for freedom, and socialism. Influenced by many different cultures, India is a unique country with a unique flavor and national characteristics.
The final section of this epic journey of “over ten thousand years and ten thousand miles,” as Wood put it, briefly looks at the first 45 years of socialist-influenced planning and the last 15 years of unrestrained growth as India is rapidly rising to one day become a world power. However, as a result of the independence movement in 1947, India gained its freedom.