Watch A History of British India

Name: A History of British India
Released: 2017-01-06
Cast: Hayden J. Bellenoit

2017
1 Season

A History of British India from The Great Courses Signature Collection starring Hayden J. Bellenoit is an educational documentary series that explores the fascinating history of India and its relationship with England during the colonial era. The series is comprised of 24 episodes, each around thirty minutes long, and covers a broad range of topics that delve into the complex political, social, and economic factors that shaped the Indian subcontinent over the course of several centuries.

Hayden J. Bellenoit, a renowned historian and professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy, delivers a captivating and well-researched narrative that brings to life the key events, personalities, and cultural influences that defined India's past. Starting with the arrival of the British East India Company in the 1600s, the series charts the company's gradual expansion and consolidation of power in India, culminating in the establishment of British colonial rule in the mid-19th century. Bellenoit expertly guides viewers through this complex and often contentious period, exploring the ways in which British colonialism impacted every aspect of Indian society, from politics and law to religion, language, and culture.

Throughout the series, Bellenoit emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances and complexities of India's past, and encourages viewers to question their preconceived notions about colonialism and the relationship between India and England. He also highlights the achievements and resilience of Indian people in the face of adversity, showcasing the innovative and cross-cultural exchanges that emerged as a result of British colonialism. While acknowledging the suffering and injustices inflicted upon Indian people during this time, Bellenoit remains sensitive to the nuances of history, refusing to oversimplify or generalize about the experiences of different groups.

The series is highly engaging and visually stunning, utilizing a mix of archival footage, maps, and graphics to help illustrate key concepts and events. Bellenoit's narration is clear, concise, and well-paced, ensuring that viewers remain engaged and informed throughout each episode. One of the standout features of the series is its thoughtful approach to incorporating different perspectives and voices, including Indian historians, scholars, and activists, who offer insights and critiques that help to broaden the viewer's understanding of India's complex past.

Overall, A History of British India from The Great Courses Signature Collection starring Hayden J. Bellenoit is an exceptional documentary series that provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of one of the most important periods in India's history. Whether you're a history buff, a student of Indian culture, or simply someone interested in learning more about this fascinating region of the world, this series is a must-watch.

A History of British India is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between January 6, 2017 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

24. Reflections on Postcolonial India

January 6, 2017

Learn about the harrowing events following Partition, which saw widespread killings and the largest displacement of human populations in history. Assess what the events of 1947 meant for the Indian National Congress, Pakistanis, and the British. Finally, reflect on the lasting legacy of the British Raj and its rule of India.

23. A Split India: Negotiating Independence

January 6, 2017

Examine the factors in Britain's decision to "quit" India. Take account of the final negotiations between the National Congress, the Muslim League, and the British, noting the contrasting visions of an independent India held by the Congress and the League. Grasp how Hindu-Muslim violence affected the ultimate partition of India and Pakistan.

22. The Raj on Its Knees (1945 - 1947)

January 6, 2017

Investigate the increasing levels of dissent, mutiny, and agrarian suffering and unrest that followed World War II. Chart the astonishing rise of the Muslim League after 1940, its presence in the negotiations for independence, and the League's actions in key provinces that sparked terrible communal violence in the Raj's final days.

21. Britain and Its Empire in the 1940s

January 6, 2017

Witness how Britain's wartime mobilization alienated the Indian National Congress and took a horrific toll on the Indian poor. Study the resulting Quit India Movement, the largest uprising against the British since 1857, and the events of the war's aftermath that set the stage for the end of 200 years of colonial rule.

20. The Civil Disobedience Campaign

January 6, 2017

Now examine the "second round" of Indian nationalist action against the British Raj. Witness the effects on India of the global economic depression after 1929, which triggered the Civil Disobedience Campaign, a massive boycotting of British goods, services, and institutions. Assess the Raj's countertactic of extending constitutional concessions to stem nationalist agitation.

19. Indian Muslim Politics between the Wars

January 6, 2017

Indian Muslim identity began to change in important ways in the 20th century. Study the impact on Indian Muslims of the First World War, and the resulting Muslim Khalifat Movement, which opposed Britain's war aims against the Ottoman Caliphate. See how Hindu/Muslim religious-political rivalries gave birth to the idea of Pakistan.

18. The Noncooperation Movement

January 6, 2017

Observe how Gandhi reorganized the Indian National Congress into a mass political machine, as witnessed in the Noncooperation Movement, where Indians boycotted the British on a national scale. Note how these actions and others exposed moral faults in the Raj, and track the Raj's counterstrategies that attempted to marginalize those nationalists seeking independence.

17. Gandhi's Moral-Political Philosophy

January 6, 2017

Investigate Gandhi's early life and how he became a nationalist leader. Study the elements of his political philosophy, the political tools of ahimsa (no harm) and satyagraha (force of truth), and the forces of modernity and British rule that Gandhi critiqued. Finally, examine the 1919 event that thrust him onto the national stage.

16. The Great War and Its Impact on India

January 6, 2017

Examine the severe effects of the First World War on India's economy. Learn how both moderate and radical nationalists responded to the war to press for concessions and independence. Explore strains in the colonial relationship exposed by the war that made India ripe for the emergence of Mohandas Gandhi.

15. Indian Nationalism and the Freedom Struggle

January 6, 2017

Analyze how a new generation of English-educated Indians spearheaded Indian nationalism. Trace the emergence of the Indian National Congress, which initially represented moderate nationalists, and observe how repressive British policies sowed anticolonial sentiment. Witness the strengthening of nationalist fervor, as it erupted into political extremism and violence in the early 20th century.

14. Princely States and Royalist Relationships

January 6, 2017

India's princely states played a crucial role in maintaining British power. Examine the history of the princely kingdoms, and why they remained separate from British-controlled territory. Follow how the British cultivated ties of loyalty with Indian princes and exerted "indirect rule." Explore the contradiction of a modernizing British Raj that supported feudal princes.

13. The Late-19th-Century British Raj

January 6, 2017

Study British racial attitudes toward Indians in the late 19th century and how these conceptions were manifested in the way India was governed. Learn about the officials who administrated the Raj, the Indian Civil Service, and the modernization of India. Grasp how all of these elements reflect the mindset of the British Raj.

12. Indian Muslim Identity and Colonial Rule

January 6, 2017

Indian Islam underwent profound shifts under colonial rule. Investigate how the British codifying of Islamic law changed Indian Muslims' communal identity. See how the advent of English language and education, and the Indian census, distanced Muslims from Hindus. Lastly, assess how the Deobandi reform movement reinvented Indian Islam to ensure its survival.

11. The Nationalization of Hinduism (1870 - 1900)

January 6, 2017

Discover how the broader traditions of Hinduism were affected by the colonial experience. Examine the theological assault on Hinduism by European Christian missionaries, and the responses of high-caste Hindus. Look at important Hindu reform movements, which sought to modernize Hinduism, and grasp how key currents of reformist thinking linked Hinduism with Indian nationhood.

10. Caste and Tribal Identity under Colonialism

January 6, 2017

As a social institution, caste changed markedly under British colonial rule. First, examine how the British encountered caste and tried to understand it. Then see how caste became significantly linked with the colonial tax revenue system. Take account of the ways in which caste distinctions became more prominent, codified, and pervasive under colonialism.

9. Economics and Society under the Raj

January 6, 2017

Examine the nature of the colonial economy, and trace economic decisions by the British that constrained the livelihoods of artisans and peasants. Assess the Raj's fiscal policy, which privileged British interests over public works. Observe how these policies affected the lives of millions who toiled to produce the wealth of the Raj.

8. The Great Uprising (1857 - 1858)

January 6, 2017

Study the accumulation of religious, economic, and political grievances against the East India Company that set the stage for the Great Uprising of 1857. Then witness the outbreak and bloody unfolding of the Uprising itself. Observe how the "mutiny" changed British attitudes toward India, and the way Britain governed it under the Raj.

7. The Age of Reform (1830 - 1850)

January 6, 2017

Contemporary currents of thought in England affected the ways in which India was governed. Learn how utilitarianism and Christian evangelicalism undergirded attempts by the British to educate and "reform" India. Track the major changes in the economic relationship between Britain and India that contributed to the Great Uprising of 1857.

6. Race, Gender, and Culture (1750 - 1850)

January 6, 2017

The opening up of India gave rise to a discourse on race that became central to the colonial relationship. Study British racial paradigms in Company-ruled India, which emphasized differences between Indians and the British to "justify" colonial rule. Also explore the British notion of masculinity and how it bolstered their self-perception as colonial masters.

5. Knowing the Country: British Orientalism

January 6, 2017

Learn how British scholars and administrators pursued knowledge of Indian culture, and how the early British colonials adapted to living within Indian society. Grasp the ways in which British romanticizing of India and misunderstanding of traditional customs had major consequences for colonial policy and the well-being of the Indian populace.

4. British Expansion in India (1757 - 1820)

January 6, 2017

Witness how the English East India Company, a trading organization, expanded its early footing in Bengal. Study the Company's extraordinary transformation, through military conquests, from a merchant venture into a political entity. Finally, follow the Company's expansion into other regions, employing the Mughal revenue system to tax India's agrarian countryside.

3. Indian and British Economic Interests

January 6, 2017

Here, explore further how the Indian subcontinent drifted toward colonialism. Observe how the "regionalization" of the Mughal Empire compromised the emperors' ability to govern. Take account of India's prominence within the broader global economy, and chart the rise of powerful banking families who played a critical role in the emergence of British rule.

2. The Mughal Empire in 18th-Century India

January 6, 2017

Examine the monumental empire of the Mughals, the Islamic rulers of India. Investigate how the Mughals governed through military skill, administrative brilliance, and religious tolerance. Look at the state of Indian society in the 18th century, and how changes in Mughal politics and economics laid the foundation for the British conquest of India.

1. Introduction to India

January 6, 2017

Delve into core aspects of Indian culture that provide a rich background for the story of British rule. Grasp the key precepts of Hinduism, and the notions of dharma, karma, and samsara. Study the caste system, the features of Indian families and marriages, and explore how society and religion shape politics in India.

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Where to Watch A History of British India

A History of British India is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch A History of British India on demand at Apple TV Channels and Amazon Prime and Amazon.