Little History of Colonialism in India

India has a rich, vivid, and vibrant history of colonial rule. The British ruled the Indian subcontinent from 1858 to 1947. Before that, the Indian subcontinent was under Company Raj and was governed by the British East India Company which commenced from 1757. It was in 1858 that the rule was transferred from the East India Company to the Crown. Let's explore a few facts about the history of colonialism in India:

1. The British ruled 60% of the country directly and the rest through the native princes who followed the British policies. During the rule, the British developed cotton and tea plantations. The British government also developed the iron and coal industries.
2. It was in 1877 when Queen Victoria was proclaimed the Empress of India
3. The British developed railroads and telegraph lines in India. By 1900, India had the longest railroads in Asia.
4. The architectural style also underwent significant changes. The western style of architecture became more ubiquitous during that period. In the late 19th century, the Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic and Neo-Gothic styles became pre-eminent. The public and the government buildings, clock towers, town halls, and churches followed an architectural style that reflected the British Empire. The significant characteristics included pointed arches, domes, open pavilions, vaulted roofs, and overhanging eaves.
5. The British also participated in both World War I (1914-18) and World War II (1939-45) and heavily relied on Indian recruits to fill the ranks in their army. In return, the British government promised many political concessions. This encouraged further demands by the Indian and eventually, pushed the demand for independence.

Even today, you will come across monuments, palaces and buildings that will remind you of the Raj era. Most of these places have been converted into hotels. If you want to relive the Raj era, then there is no better place than the Windamere Hotel, one of the truly authentic colonial hotels in India. This place was once used by the British Tea planters and was like a "home away from home." If you are planning for booking hotel in Darjeeling, India, then book your stay at the Windamere Hotel and revisit history.