How can understanding the past inform the present?

  
 
By comprehending the historical context of a country, ​the current generation ​is able to 
understand present events. Britain’s profound impact on India has been 
demonstrated in a number of sources, influencing how responders can make sense 
of current society. Stephen Frears’ film, ​Victoria and Abdul, ​depicts the positive 
impact an Indian servant can have towards the Empress of India. This idea is also 
explored in the artwork ​The British lion’s vengeance on the Bengal tiger ​(1857) 
published by Punch Magazine, whereby viewers are able to observe the dominance of 
the British over the Indians through the visual devices used by the composer. 
Moreover, the article: ​Victoria and Abdul: The Truth about the Queen’s Controversial 
Relationship​, depicts the controversy of Victoria & Abdul’s relationship in the British 
empire, highlighting key differences between the two cultures. In examining such 
sources, one has the ability to understand the past in order to appreciate why the 
present is the way it is.  
 
When one gains knowledge regarding the past, they can also make sense of the 
present. The film ​Victoria & Abdul​ explores this concept through the character Abdul 
Karim, an Indian man transported to England to present the Queen with a mohur. 
Throughout the film, the Queen and Abdul develop an astounding relationship, 
learning from each other’s cultures. His influence over the Queen is encapsulated in 
the film woven together with the use of various filmic devices, enabling responders to 
comprehend how the past illuminates the present. The long shot of Mr Brigg’s 
declaring “civilisation” as he stands near a beggar is simply ironic as it portrays the 
self-importance that the British hold when their own country’s residents are begging 
for money. In contrast to Indian society, the British believe the country is not civilised, 
even though the Indians are suffering from economic loss and severe poverty due to 
their brutal actions. This further demonstrates that England’s past and it’s 
relationships or views of India, have advised the present. Therefore, through this film 
scene, viewers are able to discern how past actions performed by the British have 
informed the contemporary world.   
 
When one can understand the past they have the ability to decipher current events. 
The disparity between India and England is further explored through the long shot of 
the Queen snoring in her bed in her vast bedroom. The diegetic sound of the Queen 
snoring creates a sense of comfort and safety. This can be contrasted with Indian 
society, as viewers can make sense of the state in India, where the British 
overpowered the Indians by treating them cruelly, leaving them helpless and begging. 
This suggests that the previous position of the British can inform the modern position 
of India. The long shot of the Queen’s bedroom further emphasises Queen Victoria’s 
power and wealth. ​By perceiving the differences in both cultures and lifestyles 
throughout history, one can understand the motivations of people such as the British. 
This in turn makes people more aware of and have empathy towards the plight of the 
Indian culture. ​Ergo, Stephen Frears’ has successfully established the context of 
Britain and India in 1887 in spite of educating viewers how the past can impact our 
response to the present.  
 
In order to fully grasp the present, we must come to terms with the past. The position 
of India varied significantly to that of Australia at the turn of the 20th century. India 
was governed by Britain, with little control given to locals and became an independent 
nation in 1947 as opposed to 1901 for Australia. Following British contact, Indians' 
lives were changed religiously culturally, socially and economically. ​The British built 
technical and commercial infrastructure for Indian economic development. This is 
seen through the ​Railway Bridge: 1900​ photograph. ​The black and white photo 
exhibits the time period and the vector illustrated through the steel frame draws 
viewers’ eyes to the steam train possibly carrying British troops. Designed by the 
British and built by Indian workers suggests the oppressive and manipulative nature 
of the British. The ​British economic policy did not aim at developing industries in 
India. This is because the British wanted to use their businesses as a pathway to 
Britain's prosperity and power! Consequently, ​by understanding past relationships 
between both countries one is able to advise the present.  
 
In order to instruct the present, one must comprehend historical events. The power 
and dominance of the British over the Indians is clearly embodied ​by ​Punch 
Magazine’s T​ he British lion’s vengeance on the Bengal tiger. ​This illustrates a lion 
attacking a tiger, representative of Britain and India respectively and symbolic of 
Britain’s dominance over India. Bengal was the richest and most efficient state in 
India which makes the British want to rule over Bengal. Furthermore, the Lion is the 
king of the jungle while the Tiger is just trying to protect its residents. The Bengal 
Tiger is no match for the British Lion, overpowering it through violence and aggression 
as pictured clearly in the source. The vector created by the Lion draws attention to 
the tiger who is standing against the lifeless body. The body symbolises India, fertile 
and youthful however struggling due to the dominance of external forces.If the British 
can overthrow Bengal, they can overthrow the rest of India with ease since Bengal is 
the most powerful province. Therefore, the image assists modern thinkers in 
understanding the present relationship between both nations.   
 
 
Comprehending the past is vital in order to understand the current world. Stephen 
Frears’ film, ​Victoria and Abdul​ explores the impact an Indian servant, Abdul Karim, 
can have on the Empress of India herself. This is evident to viewers through the 
utilisation of several film techniques and devices. The artwork ​The British Lion’s 
vengeance on the Bengal Tiger (1857) ​published by Punch Magazine, captures the 
atrocities of British rule in India through various visual devices and the symbolic 
representation of the British Lion and Bengal Tiger. In the ​Railway Bridge: 1900 
photograph ​designed by British engineers however constructed by Indian slaves, 
determines the positive impact made by the British as seen through technological 
advancements and introduction of transport e.g. railway, etc. This enables 
responders to consider the history of India through a different lens. Despite the cruel 
actions represented by the British, especially during the Indian Mutiny, one can 
understand the role of the British in lifting India to become a unified nation. Ergo, 
through detailed unpacking of these sources, the importance of the past can be 
properly discerned in order to illuminate the present.  
 
 
 
Looted them off money but increased their economic stability and advancement in 
technology and agricultural practices.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Body Paragraph 3 (Punch Magazine - The Strengthening of the Keep) 
- Speculate 
- Warrior defeating all the dangerous species in the animal kingdom  
- Symbolising countries Britain colonised 
- Warrior no match for what it has defeated 
- Vector - warrior - tall and strong - attention to predators 
- Oppressive rule  
- Tyrannical rule 
- Indian Mutiny 
- Positive and negative impact 
 
Conclusion  
 
Embodies & Speculate 
 
More respect given to Indians due to past racism  
 
This is evident through the representation of Abdul Karim, the Queen’s dear Munshi 
or teacher. Through the utilisation of filmic devices, we are able to clearly discern the 
relationship between the Queen and her dear Munshi. 
 
You need to think big picture. Why does watching this film help us understand the 
present? 
so what? 
What does this mean in relation to the question? 
 
Warrior - britain  
Dragon - communism (russia - very prominent in russia) 
Russia was tryna take over 
Dragon attacking the fort 
No match to britain’s power 
 
Notes:  
❖ Be cohesive  
❖ ALWAYS LINK back to the question 
❖ Show a clear understanding of the question  
❖ Use extensive vocabulary 
❖ Reference to 2 sources  
❖ A key scene from Victoria & Abdul 
❖ By learning about the past we are able to gain knowledge on the 
present 
❖ Understand the relationship between the British and Indian 
❖ Evident to viewers through the ...  
 
Word Bank:  
 
Planning (random thinking):  
➢ India influenced Queen Victoria 
➢ Relationship between Britain and India 
➢ British impact on India 
➢ India impact on British  
➢ “British vengeance on the Bengal Tiger” 
 ➢ “Victoria & Abdul’s Controversial Relationship” 
➢ Explain the sources 
➢ British dominance over India  
➢ Contribution  
➢ Culture 
➢ Analysing these sources 
➢ Exploring various sources 
➢ Discrimination of Indian society - how is India now?  
➢ Influence 
➢ Crafting our present 
➢ India’s position 
➢ Oppressive nature (violent)   
➢ Plagiarism check  
 
 
1. Essay - ​students will be responding to the driving question for the unit:​ How can Week 10
understanding the past inform our present?​ ​Students will compose a 800-1000 Wednesday
words essay responding to this question. In their essays, students will be 1st July
analysing one key moment in the film and one other source material to support
their developing argument and opinion.
 
Film scenes - One can, the viewers, the responders, the readers, the 
audience  
Always relate back to the question  
Don’t RETELL 
 
In order to fully theorise about our present, we need to come in terms with our past.
Britain’s position in the 18th century was influential and dominant throughout the
colonies from all four corners of the globe. This is clearly captured by Punch
Magazine’s ​ The Strengthening of the Keep, ​ an artwork which illustrates a warrior
defeating all the most dangerous species in the animal kingdom, each symbolising
the countries in which Britain colonized. This source indicates that the warrior
holding the flag is no match for the formidable predators and their defeat leads them
into the instructions of the warrior. This emphasises the fact that Britain would
maintain its power over India which it did until independence in 1947. Not only India
but other colonies like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia
until their decisions to have their own independent government. After this division,
all of the countries colonised by Britain were unified and called the Commonwealth
in 1931. The vector created by the warrior draws attention to the defeated animals
that represent countries who resisted British rule. The oppressive rule of Britain
allows modern thinkers to understand how Britain heavily influenced these
countries. It is apparent that by examining these sources from a particular period on
is able to distinguish how the past enlights the present.

shows us the railways that were constructed in India by the British. The British invested a lot
of money to construct these railways to easily and efficiently transport troops across
different places. Constructing these railways made it easier for the British to control India.
The railway bridge was designed by British engineers and built by Indian workers during the
1900s.