Isaac Newton was born in 1643. Then England was the prominent member of the richest countries of the world. It had begun its campaign of colonising other states. England of the period of about 366 years ago was shackled in religious orthodoxy. The religion dictated the mind of people but education was making inroads into their thinking. The country had the highest per capita income in the world. The Englishmen were the beneficiaries of this prosperity. And politically too England was advanced. The family was greatly valued and the marriage was institutional social responsibility.
The British prided over the assumption that they were playing a great role in the advancement of the human race. England was then a front ranker in theology, knowledge, education, arts, culture, politics and science. From agriculture to textile industry England was having its flag flying high. Then transportation system and means of communication were in fledgling state. The country geographically was divided in isolated cities, towns and villages. But the people were united by a nationalist sentiment. In the matter of education the important institutions were in the cities and for the higher learning it was necessary to cross the rural boundaries. Then the administrative system was monarchial and religion had big sway on the people. The masses as citizens were governed by monarchy while as faithfuls they lived religiously guided by the Church. Democratic system has not yet arrived. During the period of Isaac Newton there was no tradition of parliament or an institution like prime minister. But in 1721, six years before Newton died British saw their first prime minister in Robert Walpole. In the administration Crown (Monarchy) did a lot of meddling.
MODERN BRITAIN (U.K)
As today London always had been the capital of the country. The area is 2,44,808 square kms. and the population is about 59.73 million (5 crore 47 lac and thirty thousand plus). Christianity is the main religion and average age of a British is 77.72 years. Per capita gross national product is £20,710.00. Infant mortality rate is 6 per 1000. Per head calory intake is 3252 per day. Britain is ruled by a parliamentary democratic system with monarchial figure head. The crown is only symbolic. It is a total literacy nation where no one is supposed to be illiterate. This island nation is separated from the continent by North Sea and English Channel. Its narrowest tip points into Dover Strait. Scotland forms its hill region and this island of oceanic climate is officially called United Kingdom or UK for short consisting of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland region. UK is one of the world’s most rich industrial nations. Wayne Davis is the highest summit of this land. The longest rivers are Savers and Tames.
UK’s mine areas are in central and north western England, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. The main products are lead, coal, petroleum, tin, iron etc. Steel production is concentrated in Sheffield, Swansea and Lancashire. Cotton textile industries are in Birmingham and Manchester. Chemical industries are situated in Birmingham and Glasgo. Silk industry is located in Maclosfield, Bristol, Nottingham, London, Liverpool. Bristol and Manchester host the world famous tobacco industries. Britain is one of the world’s leading milk production centers. United Kingdom herds the 54 Commonwealth countries. ‘Commonwealth’ is an organisation consisting of Britain and its former colonies for intra-cooperation, interaction, cultural exchanges, games and political harmony. UK is one of the founding members of U.N.O and it enjoys the veto power. In this country constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy exist side by side. The government is headed by a Prime Minister. The parliament has two sessions namely, ‘House of Lord’s (Upper House) and ‘House of Commons’ (Lower House). But 1643 AD born Isaac Newton did not enjoy the same kind of facilities and services as is available today in the developed UK. Then the life was very difficult. Means of transport were limited to sea and land only. He could not even think of trains, subway, buses or aircraft. Boeing, Air bus, Orient Express and Internet were far away in future. The life was stagnant and taxing. It was labourious as the work had to be done by hand and journeys on foot.
