What's new

Opium's role in India's past and present

Once defeated, Chinese were forced to pay a huge indemnity, cede Hong Kong to the British and open their markets to western capitalists. This war is an example of how colonial powers used their military prowess to economically subjugate Asian countries and undermine the sovereignty of Asian rulers.

The (in)famous Treat of Nanking 1848:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Nanking
 
Chinese call it a century of humiliation.
I refrained from going deeper into repercussion of opium war on Chinese society for it might offend the Chinese members here.
In 300 BC,Alexander the great brought opium to persia,India and China. But the more wide spread consumption of opium began in 1500's after it was introduced by Portuguese traders.
The medicinal properties of opium was known to Indians as early as 9th century but it was in 1600's that opium found more takers.
While Indians ordinarily ate opium, the Chinese smoked it. The Chinese mixed Indian opium with tobacco, two products traded by the Dutch. Pipe-smoking was adopted throughout the region. Predictably enough, this resulted in increased opium-smoking, both with and without tobacco.
 
Chinese call it a century of humiliation.
I refrained from going deeper into repercussion of opium war on Chinese society for it might offend the Chinese members here.
In 300 BC,Alexander the great brought opium to persia,India and China. But the more wide spread consumption of opium began in 1500's after it was introduced by Portuguese traders.
The medicinal properties of opium was known to Indians as early as 9th century but it was in 1600's that opium found more takers.
While Indians ordinarily ate opium, the Chinese smoked it. The Chinese mixed Indian opium with tobacco, two products traded by the Dutch. Pipe-smoking was adopted throughout the region. Predictably enough, this resulted in increased opium-smoking, both with and without tobacco.

There is no offence in knowing, or remembering, history. Indeed, those who do, learn good lessons from it. Those who do not, well, you know the saying.
 
There is no offence in knowing, or remembering, history. Indeed, those who do, learn good lessons from it. Those who do not, well, you know the saying.
Well..I have one or two Chinese freinds on this forum. It's for their sake that I avoided going into details of opium war.
That would also have deviated the discussion frm the topic, which is India. Lol

I'm not sure if many Indians know that the Mumbai port was built for the opium trade.
 
Well..I have one or two Chinese freinds on this forum. It's for their sake that I avoided going into details of opium war.
That would also have deviated the discussion frm the topic, which is India. Lol

I'm not sure if many Indians know that the Mumbai port was built for the opium trade.

As much as the Chinese may get upset over their self-named century of humiliation, the story of how the streets, and society, was cleaned up of this mass addiction after 1948 is a great success story too.
 
Indeed.
But my topic is India. :(

Of course.

India, indeed all of South Asia and areas adjacent to it, have a long history with opiates of all kinds. A little further to the west is the Golden Crescent, a little to the east is the Golden Triangle (while South America has its cocaina). India in the middle along trade routes was a natural choice for transit of all sorts of commodities over the centuries, including opium. Back then, it was just another herbal product, let us not forget that.
 
Last edited:
Opium has a major role in India. You need to be at least a drug addict to call Kashmir integral part of India.
Lol

That reminds me, southern Kasmir which has seen a surge in rebels also happens to have many illegal poppy fields. Kashmir produces about 30% of opium in India.
 
Lol

That reminds me, southern Kasmir which has seen a surge in rebels also happens to have many illegal poppy fields. Kashmir produces about 30% of opium in India.

no wonder every fool in India calls it integral part of India. You need to be high to say that shit.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 2, Members: 0, Guests: 2)


Back
Top Bottom