Sociology 265-asia India was the biggest country in Asia which was colonized by Great Britain. It is necessary to notice that in fact it was joined to British Empire not as much as a result of long wars, rather than consequences of complex economic and social process in the whole world that involved all colonized countries into market relations. In the end of the 19th century the process of India’s involving into the world capitalistic economy was finished. India became the place of English capital investments. The biggest placement of funds was railway construction which was a real gold-mine for the British. Irrigation construction and plantations of tea, coffee and rubber were other capital investments. Due to taxes of common population the British not only covered all their expenses but received enormous profits. Thus the colonial taxes were about 1 million pounds every year. Except for this India became a market place for English goods. And the rate of rupee depended on the rate of pound. India sponsored military actions of the British imperialists: neutralization of uprising in China, military expedition to Tibet, Boer War, etc. In 1913 India’s sterling debt rose up to 177 million pounds. English colonial banks in India – Mercantile bank, Chartered bank of India and others – controlled foreign commerce of the country and financed big English firms. At the same time Indian industrialists could not receive any credit. In the second half of the 19th century the colonial administration was under direct control of British Parliament and Government. A special Ministry to govern India was created. And there existed a union between the Indian feudal lords and English colonialists that in fact betrayed the Indian national interests. 1905-1908 was the first period of large anti-imperialistic movement. Frightened by the movement, the British made some concessions to the well-to-do class of India. In 1914 India was induced to participate in the World War I. It provided Britain with material resources and manpower. As exploiting of workers increased, the number of strikes raised either. This led to a new wave of anti-colonial movement in 1918-1939. A new Law on governing India passed by the English Parliament in 1935 urged on the liberation movement as it was called “slave constitution” by native population. The World War II led to crisis of the British colonial system. Economic and political contradictions between India and English imperialism intensified. And the conclusive stage of India’s struggling for independence fell on 1945-1947 led by Mahatma Gandhi. The working class was the initiator of the liberation movement in this period. Two wars and the Great Depression in the end of 30-ies caused economic recession. So many strikes and demonstrations were held at the time becoming more and more numerous with every day. Mass revolts began to take place in the army and navy. India gained its independence on August 15, 1947. But it was divided into two parts: India and Pakistan. The reason of such division was religious but not political or economic. In fact Great Britain wanted India to remain its dominion, but Indian population was not satisfied with such status of their country. So on January 26, 1950, India was proclaimed a democratic republic. And a task to overcome economic and cultural backwardness arose before a new country. At present India is a federal republic with the President at the head. The Indians proudly call themselves now “the biggest democracy in the world”. Starting 1991 significant economic reforms made Indian economy grow. Former colonial status influenced much the economy of the country as it depended on agriculture, and now it takes up less than 25% of the GDP. Handicrafts remained an important industry along with textiles, mining, films, diamond polishing, and petroleum. Information technology services as a new industry is growing fast and becomes more and more popular among the population. Small-scale industries provide employment to the village and small town population. Bibliography: 1. J.C. Powell-Price. A history of India. L., 1955. 2. India. Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia. 3. S.C. Gupta. Agrarian relations and early British rule in India. Bombey. 1963. 4. V.I. Lenin. Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism. 1916.