The Unfinished Story of Colonialism

Abstract -

The legacy of colonialism continues to shape our world today — not just in history books, but in

our laws, politics, education, and everyday lives. Colonial systems were built to control, divide,

and exploit, and many of those structures remain. From legal injustices and economic inequality

to the silencing of voices and the misuse of power, this blog uncovers how deeply colonial rule

still affects modern society.

Keywords - Legacy of colonialism, colonial systems, colonial rule, legal injustices, economic

inequality, silencing of voices, misuse of power, modern society, colonial impact, colonial legal

injustices, economic disparities, colonial rule, colonial past, colonial legacy.

Introduction -

Colonial rule has left a lasting imprint on world history, marked by sins, corruption, and

injustice. Nearly 70% of today’s nations were subjected to colonial domination. In my

understanding, colonialism is the control of one nation over another that is weaker in power.

Scholars and critics have long debated whether the legacy of colonial regimes still holds

relevance today. I believe that the answer is yes—the effects of colonialism are still visible in the

present-day social, political, and economic systems of many countries. For instance, in

international institutions, powerful nations often exercise veto powers while poorer nations,

particularly in Africa and Asia, face systemic discrimination. The dominance of the U.S. dollar in

global trade—another outcome of Western control—has contributed to widening economic gaps

between European and Asian nations. In the sections that follow, I will further discuss how

colonial institutions continue to influence modern power structures and the lives of indigenous

populations.

1-National and Internal Rivalries: Legacy of Divide and Rule -

The tensions we witness today In international relations between nations are not entirely new—

they have deep roots in the colonial past. One of the key strategies adopted by colonial rulers was

the policy of divide and rule. This policy deliberately created or intensified divisions among

people to weaken unified resistance and maintain colonial control. We can still see its impact in

 various countries—such as the partition of India and Pakistan, and the division of North and

South Korea—where colonial-era decisions contributed to long-lasting conflicts and rivalries.

This pattern is not limited to international relations. It also exists within nations. Internal political

divisions often reflect colonial strategies where one group was favored over another to ensure

loyalty and control. Today, we sometimes see political parties or groups continuing similar

tactics—favoring one section of society to maintain power or win votes. This mirrors the colonial

objective: to secure control by aligning with one group while suppressing others, ensuring

continued dominance.

 

2-Colonial Legacy in the Legal and Criminal Framework -

The legal and criminal justice systems introduced by colonial rulers were never intended to

deliver justice — they were meant to maintain control, enforce obedience, and suppress native

resistance. Laws such as Section 124A (sedition) and Section 377 (sodomy) were imposed not to

reflect the culture or values of Indian society, but to enforce British imperial authority and

Victorian morality. These laws were replicated across British colonies — from India to Africa to

the Caribbean — criminalizing political dissent, queer identities, and social behavior that did not

align with colonial values. Even today, colonial practices continue to show through in many of

our legal structures and systems, despite ongoing reforms.

This legacy is also evident in the continued practice of custodial torture, harsh policing, and

unjust bail practices. During colonial rule, torture and extended detention without trial were

routine means of maintaining dominance. Sadly, many of these tools of suppression have

survived into the present. Today, people are still often kept in prison without bail, especially the

poor, marginalized, and those who raise their voice against powerful political actors or expose

corruption. The Supreme Court of India, in several landmark rulings, has reiterated that-

“Bail is the rule and jail is the exception.”

Yet, in practice, this principle is often ignored — highlighting how colonial-era policing values

and attitudes toward dissent continue to shape India’s criminal justice system. A true break from

the colonial past requires not just repealing outdated laws, but also reforming institutional

behavior and ensuring that justice serves all, not just the powerful.

 

3-Economic Exploitation of Indigenous People -

A core aspect of colonialism was the economic exploitation of indigenous populations. This

exploitation took many forms — including land seizure, forced labor, slavery, and resource

extraction. In African colonies, for example, large-scale agricultural plantations and precious

mineral mines were established, often using forced labor to fuel colonial profits. Diamond

mining became one of the most brutal forms of resource exploitation, where even children were

forced to work under inhuman conditions. These children were often confined to remote mining

camps, where they were not allowed to send messages or communicate with the outside world,

effectively being cut off from their families and basic freedoms. They worked long hours in

dangerous conditions, with no rights or protection.

Similar systems were used in India and Southeast Asia, where local labor supported the

expansion of British, French, and Dutch colonial economies without fair compensation. Colonial

powers strategically controlled the flow of raw materials and restricted the development of local

industries. European governments passed laws that forced indigenous populations to grow

specific cash crops, such as indigo, cotton, and tea, for export to Europe — rather than food for

their own communities. In India, local businessmen and small traders were heavily restricted by

colonial regulations. British companies sold their goods at artificially low prices in Indian

markets, while Indian-made products faced export restrictions and heavy taxes, making it

difficult for Indian traders to compete globally.

Such policies were designed to protect European economic interests while undermining local

self-sufficiency and economic independence. By favoring British or European settlers and traders

through discriminatory laws and practices, colonial powers entrenched their control over the

economy, leaving long-term damage to indigenous industries and livelihoods.

 

4-Geopolitical Conflict: The Kashmir Dispute in India-

The region of Jammu and Kashmir in India stands as one of the most intense and long-lasting

geopolitical conflicts rooted in colonial history. This conflict began in 1947, when British

colonial rule ended and the subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan. The Partition was

rushed and poorly managed, and the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir — with a Muslim-

majority population but a Hindu ruler — became a major point of dispute. Its decision to accede

to India was challenged by Pakistan, leading to the first Indo-Pak war.

Since then, Kashmir has remained a heavily militarized and politically sensitive zone, witnessing

wars, border skirmishes, and terrorism. One of the most serious events in recent history was the

Pulwama terrorist attack in February 2019, where 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed

by a suicide bomber from a Pakistan-based militant group. This incident sharply escalated

tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Kashmir conflict is not just a regional issue — it is a dangerous colonial legacy that

continues to threaten peace in South Asia. Britain’s failure to resolve Kashmir’s status before its

exit created a deep fault line between the two nations, one that still influences diplomacy,

national security, and the lives of millions.

 

5-Colonial Legacy in Education-

Colonial powers largely neglected the education needs of the people they ruled. Education was 

not seen as a right but rather as a tool to create a small class of clerks and administrators to assist

the colonial government. Many colonial officials provided only minimal educational

opportunities — just enough to staff low-level bureaucratic posts. As a result, mass education

was never a priority, and literacy rates remained extremely low across most colonies.

For example, in 1951, the literacy rate in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) was around 60%, whereas in

India it was just 18%. This shows the long-term impact of colonial education policy, which

focused more on serving the needs of the rulers than empowering the local population through

quality education.

 

6-Conclusion-

While colonial rule undoubtedly left behind deep-rooted impacts on our legal, social, political,

and economic systems, we must recognize that our present and future lie in our own hands. As

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar powerfully stated during the framing of our Constitution:

“If hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves.”

This quote serves as a reminder that while history has shaped us, it is our responsibility to shape

what comes next. Recognizing colonialism’s legacy is important, but accountability, reform, and

progress must now come from within.

  

Reference –

 

1-Beyond Intractability Project, ‘Effects of Colonization’, Beyond Intractability, accessed

13 June 2025, https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/post-colonial.

 

2-Elliot Ross, ‘The Past Is Still Present: Why Colonialism Deserves Better Coverage’,

The Correspondent, 31 August 2020, accessed 13 June 2025,

https://thecorrespondent.com/32/the-past-is-still-present-why-colonialism-deserves-

better-coverage.

 

3-Leigh Gardner and Tirthankar Roy, ‘The Legacies of Colonialism’, Transforming

Society, 14 July 2020, accessed 13 June 2025,

https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2020/07/14/the-legacies-of-colonialism/.

 

4-Dr. Nalini Nongmeikapam, ‘Colonial Legacy: Historical Injustices and Current

Geopolitical Conflicts’, International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT),

vol. 3, no. 1, February 2015, accessed 13 June 2025,

https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT1135823.pdf.

Closing Credits

Author: Nashra Parvez

"The views expressed are personal. This article is intended for educational purposes and public discourse. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome!"