Political

Background of
Colonial Rule in
South Asia (part
1)

LECTURE 1, HIS 103:

EMERGENCE OF BANGLADESH

MUHAMMAD ASIFUL BASAR

(MAB2)
Meaning of Colonialism

Colonialism is a practice of domination, which involves

the subjugation of one people to another. It is also a
distinct form of imperialism in which a colonizing nation
exerts direct controls over a colonized state by
military, economic, and political means. The forceful
intrusion of colonialism caused an irreversible change in all
dimensions of the colonized state, the lives of the people,
and the social architecture. The primary objective of
colonialism, creating wealth for the colonizing nation
and its people, many different groups, including women
and children acting synergistically, must contribute.
Origin of term: The term "colonialism" was first used in the
late 16th century to describe the process of establishing
settlements and offices to extend the domination of a nation. It
derives from the Latin word "colonia" meaning farm or
settlement.
The theoretical use and definition of the word
"colonialism" in an academic sense is
generally attributed to Polish Marxist historian
Rosa Luxemburg in her seminal 1913 work
"The Accumulation of Capital".

In this book, Luxemburg analysed how colonial

expansion and exploitation of non-capitalist
societies was integral to allowing capitalism
to develop in Europe through the constant
Differences between Colonialism and
Imperialism:
•Colonialism refers specifically to the process of
establishment, exploitation, maintenance,
acquisition and expansion of colonies in one
territory by people from another territory. Colonies
are both settlements in new lands and the
subjugation of existing populations. Colonialism
involves direct rules over the colonies.

•Imperialism is a broader term that can include

colonialism but also involve other forms of
domination. Imperialism is the creation and/or
maintenance of an unequal economic, cultural,
and territorial relationship, usually between states
and often in the form of an empire, based on
domination and subordination.
 Types of Colonialism

Settler Colonialism, e.g. North and South

America, Australia etc.

Economic/Exploitation Colonialism, e.g. Africa,

India and South east Asia.

Surrogate Colonialism e.g. Palestine

Inspirations Behind
Colonial Expansion
Major Periods of Colonialism

1.Early Colonialism (15th-17th Centuries):

1.Led by Spain and Portugal, followed by the Dutch,
English, and French.
2.Focused on the Americas, Africa, and parts of Asia.
2.High Colonialism (18th-19th Centuries):
1.Marked by the industrial revolution and the rise of new
colonial powers like Britain and France.
2.Expansion into Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
3.Late Colonialism (Late 19th-20th Centuries):
1.Intensified competition among European powers, leading
to the "Scramble for Africa."
2.The spread of colonialism to nearly all parts of the world.
Mercantilism > Renaissance > Scientific revolution > Age
of Enlightenment > Industrial Revolution / French
Revolution > Colonialism
Establishment of the Colonial
Age
Modern colonialism began during the Age of Discovery (early 15th
century) and Portugal was the first country in Europe which was
looking for new trade routes and markets outside of Europe. The
Portuguese explorers established their first post in Ceuta, a coastal
town in North Africa, and then it conquered and populated islands
like Madeira and Cape Verde

Seeing the Portuguese success, their rival nation Spain decided to

explore rest of the world. In 1492, Christopher Columbus began
looking for a western route to India and China. Instead, he
landed in the Bahamas, kicking off the Spanish Empire. Spain and
Portugal became locked in competition for new territories and
took over indigenous lands in the Americas, India, Africa, and Asia.
Christopher Columbus set sail
from Spain in 1492 on three
small ships: the Santa María,
the Pinta, and the Niña. The
fleet landed in the Bahamas
and claimed it for Spain, as
depicted in this painting.
Growth of Mercantilism in Europe and the
Establishment of East India Company
The development of mercantilism and individual trade in
Europe (especially, Italy, France and Mediterranean world)
transformed the European economy so rapidly. It increased the
demand of foreign raw materials in Europe and also expanded
European export markets to other parts of the world.

Spices, Cotton, Silk, Jewelry, Opium and minerals became the

major trading commodities during 14th and 15th centuries. India
along with South-east Asia and China supplied the major portion
of European demand.

However, in 1453 an important event caused the end of European

trade with Asia. Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) came
under the control of Ottoman empire.
Indian Ocean trade During the 14th Century
Vasco Da Gama and his new Trade Route
Why colonization became
inevitable?

• Technological advancement, like

making powerful ships which ware
able to navigate oceans faster.
• New firearms and dominance in
naval warfare gave Europeans
advantages over native populations.
• And the modern and innovative
financing system gave the
European continent a better
advantage than the rest.
Impact of Colonialism on modern World
politics

Redefinition of Global Power Dynamics: Colonialism

reshaped the geopolitical landscape, establishing
European dominance over much of the world and leading to
the decline of indigenous empires.

Emergence of Nationalism: Colonial oppression fuelled

nationalist movements in colonized regions, leading to
struggles for independence and the eventual dismantling of
colonial empires.

Legacy of Inequality: Colonialism left a legacy of

economic inequality, social stratification, and
cultural hegemony that continues to impact global
politics and development today.
• Economic Impact: Colonial economies were often
restructured to serve the interests of the colonizing powers,
leading to economic dependency and underdevelopment in
many colonized regions.
• Social and Cultural Impact: Colonialism disrupted traditional
societies, cultures, and social structures. It often led to the
spread of European languages, religions, and cultural
practices.
• Political Impact: Colonial rule imposed new political systems
and borders, many of which did not align with existing ethnic or