Under the British Empire, colonies around the world experienced an influx of British culture and tradition into their own society. British colonies were introduced to Christianity, new foods, and new systems of education to name a few. In many former British colonies, one can still see remnants of British culture and tradition. However, how much influence did the colonies have on Britain itself? Today, London is known to be a hotspot for multiculturalism, with influences from all over the world, like Indian influence. Once a colony of the British Empire, India now leaves lasting cultural influences on British society as a result of desirable and interesting cultural attributes that are unique to India as well as Britain’s lasting fascination in the Indian people.
In 1886, T. N. Mukharji was selected by the Government of India to travel from India to London and attend the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. Mukharji, along with others from around the world, embarked on this trip. Mukharji spent a total of nine months traveling England and other parts of Europe. Prior to leaving for London, “he … traveled very largely in India and … had exceptional opportunities of studying the realities of Indian life.” (Mukharji 1889, xi) Upon his return from Europe, Mukharji was asked to write about his experiences. He did not write much while he was in Europe as he was not anticipating to write a book so most of his writings are based off memory.
Initial Observations of Britain
Upon arrival in London, Mukharji noticed many differences between the foreign city and his home of India. He noticed differences in transportation, cleanliness of the city, and the prominence of advertisements.
One of the first things Mukharji noticed was the cleanliness of London. He stated, “In passing through London, we were struck with the cleanliness that pervaded all places. Everything was neat and clean – the streets, the shops, and the houses.” (Mukharji 1889, 29) Mukharji then compared what he saw in London to what India was like. He said, “We have yet much to learn from the Europeans in the matter of general cleanliness. The ordinances of our religion, which in many respects have no doubt made Hindus one of the cleanliest nations in the world, do not go far enough. Nor are they always consistent with rules which modern science inculcates.” (Mukharji 1889, 29)
He was also surprised to see the great amount of advertisements around the city, especially on the transportation services. He said, “The stations are full of advertisements; there is hardly an inch of wall not occupied by one kind or other, so that at first we were at a loss to know whether the name of a station was “Pears’ Soap” or “Colman’s Mustard.” … The black race need no longer have the fear of being eaten up by white men for the sake of their complexion, for a single application of Mr. Pears’ Soap will whiten the blackest of black faces. Mr. Pears is a master in the art of advertising, from whom even patent medicine-makers may well take a lesson.” (Mukharji 1889, 34-35) Mukharji’s reactions to the advertisements in London show differences in development between London and India.
The Exhibition and Interest in Indian Products
As stated above, the purpose of Mukjarji’s trip to London was to attend the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. This was a six-month long exhibition that saw over 5.5 million visitors. The primary purpose of the exhibition was “To stimulate commerce and strengthen the bonds of union now existing in every portion of Her Majesty’s Empire.” (Mathur 2007) The Indian representatives at the exhibition had an opportunity to represent their culture and country in a way they had never been able to before. It was their chance to tell the British about their home despite how the British perceived them. “The fact that the culture and artifacts of India were everywhere on display - both formally and informally - throughout Britain in the Victorian period shaped the social and cultural terrain through which Indian travelers walked and complicated the terms upon which they were obliged to negotiate their own spectacularity in the eyes of native Britons.” (Burton, 1998) The Indian section of the exhibition drew the most attention with the unique display of Indian artwork and crafts. “Merchants, manufacturers and scientists flocked there to see what new sources of wealth and human comfort had been brought within their reach from her Majesty’s distant dominions.” (Mukharji 1889, 78) The British attendees took a special interest in Indian products. Even the queen was interested in what India had to offer. “Her Majesty was so pleased that on one occasion she graciously expressed her satisfaction at the way Indian silks were displayed.” (Mukharji 1889, 99)
Indians as Different
Although the British expressed a special interest in Indians and their unique products, they were particularly interested in how Indians were different from the British. The British Empire had a tendency to display its superiority over its colonies and the native people living there. According to Fox Bourne, although the British did not see Indians as uncivilized like they saw some of their other colonies, they did see them as inferior, yet interesting. (Fox Bourne 1900) Mukharji recognized this from his interactions with the British at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. He stated, “They were as much astonished to see the Indians produce works of art with the aid of rude apparatus they themselves had discarded long ago, as a Hindu would be to see a chimpanzee officiating as a priest in a funeral ceremony and reading out Sanskrit texts from a palm leaf spread before him.” (Mukharji 1889, 99) When reflecting on his experiences and interactions in London and the idea of being inferior to the British, Mukharji commented, “We were very interesting beings no doubt, so were the Zulus before us, and so is the Sioux chief at the present time.” (Mukharji 1889, 99)
In conclusion, India now leaves lasting cultural influences on British society because of desirable and interesting cultural attributes that are unique to India and Britain’s lasting fascination in the Indian people. The Colonial and Indian Exhibition was an important event to bring Indians and British together by displaying cultural artwork and Indian craftsmen. “Whatever tends to bring Indian life and ideas into contact with English, is desirable even more in the interests of India than of England” (Mukharji, 1889)
This account gives readers a new perspective, or adds to an old perspective, of the British Empire. First, it tells us that the British were often fascinated by people that seemed different from them. The Zulus or Sarah Baartman are an example of British fascination in other groups of people, often those in British colonies. British interest in Indians and Indian products during the Colonial and Indian Exhibition depicts just this. Second, this account tells us that although the British were superior, Indians used British interest in their culture and traditions to enter trade arenas within Britain. The strong interest that the Indian part of the exhibition drew showed Indians their ability to be influential in British culture and society. Finally, this account shows us that although Indian art and other forms of culture were present in Britain before the exhibition, many British people knew very little about India or Indian culture. This created both challenges and opportunities for Indians visiting London for the exhibition.
Works Cited
Burton, Antoinette. 1998. At the Heart of the Empire: Indians and the Colonial
Encounter in Late-Victorian Britain. Berkeley: University of California.
Fox Bourne, H. R. “The Claims of Uncivilised Races: a Paper Submitted to the
International Congress on Colonial Sociology, Paris.” Cambridge University Library. (1900) Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Empire Online, http://www.empire.amdigital.co.uk.ezproxy.csbsju.edu/Documents/Details/The Claims of Uncivilised Races by H R Fox Bourne
Mathur, Saloni. 2007. India by Design.
Mukharji, T. N. 1889. A Visit to Europe. Marlborough.
1886. Opening of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition 1886. The Illustrated London News, London. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=colonial+and+indian+exhibition&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1&searchToken=b99csynjygvljf9xps5vujq8o#/media/File:Opening_of_the_Colonial_and_Indian_Exhibition_1886,_Illustr_London_News.jpg
1885. British Empire map - The India and Colonial Exhibition London,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=london+1886&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1&searchToken=aj441f83muxq32u7n7ewpgv0p#/media/File:British_Empire_map_-_The_India_and_Colonial_Exhibition,_London_(1886)_-_BL.jpg