HIST270
Colonialism, Nationalism, and Decolonization in South Asia

The Mughal Empire in late seventeenth-century India was recognized as one of the richest and strongest powers in the world. Yet by the early nineteenth-century, the British ruled the subcontinent. This course begins by examining the colonization of India. Colonial rule meant important changes to Indian life, spurred by British attempts to create private property, introduce social reforms, and spread English education. However, colonial rule also led to nationalism and efforts to imagine India as a unified nation-state. The course considers leaders such as Mohandas Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah's struggles against the British, culminating in Independence but also Partition of the subcontinent in 1947. We consider a wide range of sources including films, literature, and primary documents.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 25

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Rao

Distribution Requirements: HS - Historical Studies

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: