Currently writing up a piece on a topic of my choice and I wanted to do something centred around British India, whilst also comparing it to other elements of the Empire. Basically the areas which I'd love to clarify are:
Was the importance of India as a component of the British Empire overstated?
Was the significance of other parts of the Empire eg. Africa or the Far East understated?
To what extent was the political situation during the time of the establishment of British India ie. The Great Game responsible for moving India into a much more prominent position in the eyes of the British people and politicians?
Their is some really good stuff in this discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3csoax/why_is_britain_always_afraid_somebody_would_take/
You should find good answers to all your questions.
To give you an idea statistically speaking of how much the British traded with India, in 1913, the height of the Empire, 13% of all British exports were to the subcontinent. While this may not seem like much, keep in mind that all of that wealth ultimately stayed inside the Empire where it could be taxed, unlike foreign exports. By the end of WW2 it was only 8.3% and falling.
India had a relatively large economy as compared to other colonies. Pro-British takeover and a strong empire, India and China were two of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Britain had great trade with India, eg Tea, and it is this exchange of rich goods, rather than the likes of steel ore, and Indian culture that makes India to be viewed higher than other colonies.
Great question, I would like to also ask : if anyone knows any good books about the British-Indian economy please suggest them.
I think all countries only engage in foreign theaters when they can derive some material benefit from it.
What did Britain gain economically from their Indian possessions? Why was it such an obsession from the 1750s onwards?