Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Arts (MA)

Department:

History

Committee Chair(s)

Tammy Proctor

Committee

Tammy Proctor

Committee

Leonard Rosenband

Committee

Charlie Huenemann

Abstract

The British Raj (1858-1947) hired geologists from both India and Great Britain to find valuable resources in India, such as coal. The geologists worked to convince the government to enact policy changes regarding museum ownership, conservation, railway construction, education, and industrialization. But the geologists had different goals based on whether they were Indian or European. The Indian geologists wanted India’s independence from Britain, so their education and industrial policy proposals were geared towards making India self-sufficient and globally competitive. The British geologists’ goal was to enrich the empire. The British were able to convince the government to accept most of their proposals. However, the Indian geologists were not. They needed to leave the government’s employment and recruit local investors before they were able to change the educational system and begin major industrial companies. They helped lay the economic foundation for India’s independence.

Checksum

82e9dfdd6c0bea7e5902e31eaa2295a0

Included in

History Commons

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