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INFLUENCE AND IMPACT OF EUROPE ON INDIA IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

In the mid 18th & 19th century, the India was under the rule of Europeans. The paper describes the influence and impact of Europe on India. India’s civilisation is among the world’s most ancient civilisations. The remarkable is its amazing continuity. India is a land of great variety in terrain, race, language, religion and cultural patterns. Underlying this diversity is the fundamental unity of the people, based on common ideas and traditions shared over several centuries. Time and again, in the course of history, great rulers have welded most parts of the country into a homogeneous political structure. Even when the people were needed in political cohesion, their unity was maintained by the cementing force of a common way of life and culture.

In 1498, Vasco-da-Gama discovered the sea-route to India via the Cape of Good Hope. The Portugal opened direct martime traffic between India and Europe. Being the first in the field, Portugal became the mistress of the Eastern seas. The Portuguese were soon followed by the Dutch, the Danish, the European, and the French merchants. In the scramble for power that ensued, the Europeans were victorious and they became political rulers of the vast empire of India. The Europeans, however, made India an appendage of their faraway country. They ruled the country for centuries. India became free on August 15, 1947. The constitution which declared India to be a Sovereign Democratic Republic came into force on January 26, 1950.

Based on the history and developments during the past and present I am analysing and highlighting the influence and impact of Europe on India.