Student Essay on The 19th Century Renissance in India

Discusses the 19th century cultural, religious and literary resurgence in India, the Indian Renaissance. Describes how this period coincided with British colonization of India. Examines what role missionaries had in the resurgence.

The nineteenth century witnessed a cultural, religious and literary resurgence in India- the Indian Renaissance. It was a period of great social, cultural and political change. The Europeans, especially the British, who came to trade in India assumed the role of colonisers and greatly influenced the Indian life. Though the British rule caused much destruction to the wealth and culture of India it also brought forth a reawakening of the Indian spirit, with the introduction of the English language and education. The factors that led to the Indian Renaissance were the arrival of Christian missionaries, the introduction of English education, the Westernisation of Indians, the spread of Christianity and the fervent response of the Indians to these changes. The Western contact gave a jolt to India's traditional life and created "a new awareness, a sense of.....