The Ideas And Institutions Of Colonial Modernity - 3503 Words

The ideas and institutions of colonial modernity were brought to India from outside that is by the agents of European, especially British imperialism. This was in sharp contrast to the primarily or largely internal or indigenous processes through which Europe itself had launched its project of enlightenment and modernity. The claim of monopoly and expertise over modernity was used as justification by the colonial powers to fulfil its imperial ambitions. The colonial rule reflected dichotomies at two different levels. Firstly, liberty that was held to be the most sacred value of the enlightenment project was being curtailed through the process of colonialism- another product of the same project. Further, the same argument of modernity which was being used to enlarge civil liberties in west was used to deny basic rights to the colonial masses. This was also reflected in the case of freedom of expression. The people who celebrated and claimed freedom of expression and press as sacred i n their own societies, under the garb of imperial rulers became its ardent critique in the colonies, restricting both free expression and freedom of press for their own benefits. For many, British India was a contradictory political formation. In Henry Maine’s words, it was a â€Å"most extraordinary experiment† involving â€Å"the virtually despotic government of a dependency by a free people.† These dichotomies produced a new context through the interaction of ‘east’ and ‘west’ which is clearlyShow MoreRelatedHow I Understand Modernity As Well As The Emergence Of Sociology Essay1580 Words   |  7 PagesWhen I hear the word modernity what comes to mind is change or a new social order. The word modernity captures the world that we live in today and one that we have also inherited over the past 500 years. 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