The Opium Wars were more than a tug-of-war between China and Britain; they were significant global events involving conflicts between Western powers and imperial China in the mid-19th century. The Indian Subcontinent (South Asia), under British control, played a crucial role through its involvement in the opium trade. Here is an OER article on the topic by Bennett Sherry and a contextualization activity to go along with it. I also show this video by BBC in class.
As the British East India Company's (EIC) opium trade from the Indian Subcontinent was highly profitable and reversed Britain's trade imbalance with China. The EIC oversaw massive opium production in its Indian colony, centering it in Patna. Indian laborers, working under quotas, prepared the opium for export. During this period, company officials hired local artists, known as "Company" painters, to document their experiences.
In Patna, these artists created a series of illustrations depicting trades and occupations, such as women selling vegetables and grain. I found a fascinating collection of images by artist Shiva Lal from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection that illustrate opium production in the EIC's factory in Patna. The collection is wonderful for sourcing activity.
I am considering incorporating this material into my lesson on the Opium Wars and connecting it to the theme of imperialism in the Indian Subcontinent by highlighting how opium production depleted agricultural resources. Students will also explore the concept of Indian indentured servitude in British India. For some background information, check out the article "Opium and the Representations of Indentured Migrant Consumption in British Guiana and Trinidad" by Jamie Banks.
How do you approach this topic? What themes do you highlight, and which primary sources do you incorporate to make the subject engaging and informative for your students? I would love to hear about your strategies and any unique resources you use in your classrooms.
