Out with the old

We used to get around on horseback - now we drive a car. We used to ring up on a telephone by cranking a handle – now we press buttons.

We used to have corner shops which stocked a small range of general goods – now we visit supermarkets.

We used to make sure we had enough cash before the bank closed – now we use ATMs.

We used to take days to travel by train between capital cities – now we fly in an hour or two.

We used to be a nation of almost exclusively Anglo-Celtic origins – now we delight in a population from about two hundred different nationalities.

Once upon a time we used to believe that England was "home"; now we are wondering why we should have an English Head of State.

We've grown out of monarchical dependence, and now we are talking seriously about changing one of the fundamentals of our democracy to become a republic. Rebublic!

That word often suggests rebellion and radical change throwing out every tradition and basis of democracy because many republics came into being only as a result of bitter political battles, accompanied by the use of military force to achieve change.

Many countries wishing to become republics did so in their desire to shake off previous colonisation by bigger nations. Many of these early conquests were in pursuit of trade; new countries often possessed ingredients or products which were highly prized by exploiting colonisers.

Indiais one such example of a country which went through massive domination by England after becoming a significant part the British Empire.

Englandfirst arrived in India around 1600 in order to trade, and The British East India Company was formed to facilitate it. Although the French were there also, after the end of the Seven Years War which ran from1756 to1763 they lost their trading rights in India.

When this happened, the British East India Company began to establish greater control, aided by skillful diplomatic agreements with the Mughal rulers.