Industrial Revolution in Britain Quiz: Challenges and Malmal Khas

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary objective of the book 'Indian Economic Development'?

To explore the basic features of the Indian economy post-Independence (correct)

To analyze the impact of British colonial rule on India's economy

To examine the economic past of India

To familiarize readers with the future prospects of India's economy

What was the purpose of the British colonial rule in India?

To facilitate India's development and economic growth

To establish a democratic system in India

To make India a supplier of raw materials for Great Britain's industrial base (correct)

To educate the Indian population about modern industrial practices

What did Viceroy Victor Alexander Vruce imply by stating 'If we lose India, the sun of our Empire will have set'?

India was essential for the survival of other parts of the British Empire (correct)

India was crucial for maintaining British colonial power

India had a significant influence on global trade

India's economy was vital for British industrial growth

Why is it important to understand India's economic past when learning about its present state and future prospects?

To appreciate the historical roots shaping India's present-day economy Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the economic policies under the colonial dispensation?

Promotion of British economic interests Signup and view all the answers

Why did the agricultural sector continue to experience stagnation and deterioration under colonial rule?

Lack of government intervention Signup and view all the answers

What led to the collapse of India's handicraft industries under the British-India government?

Lack of support for modern industrial base Signup and view all the answers

What were the consequences of lack of adequate public health facilities during colonial rule?

High mortality rates Signup and view all the answers

How did the British colonial regime attempt to improve infrastructure facilities?

With selfish motives Signup and view all the answers

What was the main challenge faced by the independent Indian government in terms of infrastructure?

Building on an inadequate base left by the colonial regime Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the stagnation in the agricultural sector under the colonial rule?

Implementation of the zamindari system Signup and view all the answers

Why did the zamindars have little interest in improving the condition of agriculture?

To collect rent regardless of the economic condition of the cultivators Signup and view all the answers

In what way did revenue settlement terms contribute to the plight of the farmers?

By fixing dates for depositing revenue with penalties for non-compliance Signup and view all the answers

Why did India's agriculture suffer from a lack of investment in terracing, flood-control, and drainage?

Lack of available technology and resources Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motive of the colonial government behind de-industrializing India?

To reduce India to a mere exporter of raw materials Signup and view all the answers

How did the colonial government view India's role in relation to British industries?

As a source of raw materials and market for finished products Signup and view all the answers

What measure led to the profit from agriculture going to the zamindars instead of the cultivators?

Implementation of the zamindari system Signup and view all the answers

What role did cash crops play in the economic condition of farmers under colonial rule?

They worsened farmers' economic condition by diverting focus from food crops Signup and view all the answers

What resources were small farmers, tenants, and sharecroppers lacking that hindered their investment in agriculture?

Financial resources and technology Signup and view all the answers

What happened to India's world-famous handicraft industries under colonial rule?

They declined as no modern industrial base was allowed to develop Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the export surplus during the British rule?

To pay for expenses incurred by the colonial government in Britain Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Suez Canal in Indian trade during the British rule?

It provided a direct trade route for ships operating between Europe and India Signup and view all the answers

What was the literacy level in India on the eve of independence?

Less than 16% Signup and view all the answers

What was the infant mortality rate on the eve of independence?

About 218 per thousand Signup and view all the answers

Why were water and air-borne diseases rampant in colonial India?

Unavailability of public health facilities Signup and view all the answers

What was the life expectancy in colonial India?

32 years Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind the high mortality rate in colonial India?

Inadequate public health facilities Signup and view all the answers

Why did extensive poverty prevail in India during the colonial period?

Lack of economic opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of conducting a census in British India in 1881?

To reveal unevenness in population growth Signup and view all the answers

What did the second stage of demographic transition in India begin after?

After 1921 Signup and view all the answers

What did the census conducted before 1921 reveal about India's population growth?

The unevenness in population growth Signup and view all the answers

What did the export surplus during British rule lead to?

Drain of Indian wealth Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the decline of indigenous handicraft industries on the Indian consumer market?

It created a new demand for cheap manufactured goods. Signup and view all the answers

In which regions were the cotton textile mills mainly located during the second half of the nineteenth century?

Maharashtra and Gujarat Signup and view all the answers

When was the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) incorporated?

1907 Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant drawback of the new industrial sector in India?

Low contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Signup and view all the answers

What were the main characteristics of India's foreign trade throughout the colonial period?

Generating a large export surplus at a huge cost to the country's economy Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the increasing imports of cheap manufactured goods from Britain to India?

Decrease in the production of indigenous goods Signup and view all the answers

Where were the jute mills mainly concentrated during the second half of the nineteenth century?

Bengal Signup and view all the answers

What were the initial industries that began to take root in India during the second half of the nineteenth century?

Cotton and jute textile mills Signup and view all the answers

What are capital goods industries?

Industries that produce machine tools used for producing articles for current consumption Signup and view all the answers

What was the most important trading partner for India during the colonial period?

Britain Signup and view all the answers

What were the main items imported into India during the colonial period?

Cheap manufactured goods from Britain Signup and view all the answers

What characterized India's foreign trade throughout the colonial period?

Generation of large export surplus at a huge cost to the country's economy Signup and view all the answers

What was the share of the manufacturing sector in the workforce during the colonial regime?

15-20% Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motive behind the development of infrastructure under the colonial regime in India?

To subserve various colonial interests Signup and view all the answers

How did the introduction of railways affect Indian agriculture?

It fostered commercialization of Indian agriculture Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Coast Canal on the Orissa coast ultimately fail to compete with the railways?

It was built at a huge cost to the government exchequer Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of introducing the expensive system of electric telegraph in India?

To maintain law and order Signup and view all the answers

How did the British colonial rule impact the agricultural sector by the time India won its independence?

Saddled with surplus labor and extremely low productivity Signup and view all the answers

Which regions experienced a decline in workforce dependence on agriculture during the colonial regime?

(comprising areas of Madras Presidency, Bombay, and Bengal) Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the introduction of railways have on long-distance travel in India?

It reduced geographical and cultural barriers Signup and view all the answers

What were the social benefits gained due to the introduction of railways in India?

Enabled people to break geographical barriers Signup and view all the answers

Why were inland waterways at times uneconomical during the colonial regime?

Competition with efficient railway systems Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of the British colonial rule on India's postal services?

Remained all through inadequate Signup and view all the answers

Why did roads constructed in India prior to British rule primarily serve specific purposes?

To mobilize the army within India and transport raw materials Signup and view all the answers

What were the main challenges faced by the industrial sector in pre-independence India?

Need for modernization, diversification, and increased public investment Signup and view all the answers

Why was the foreign trade in pre-independence India oriented towards feeding the Industrial Revolution in Britain?

Due to the colonial agenda of promoting British economic interests Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key requirements for infrastructure facilities in pre-independence India?

Upgrade and expansion of the railway network Signup and view all the answers

Why did the colonial dispensation take measures for developing inland trade and sea lanes in pre-independence India?

To maintain control over transportation and trade Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the expensive system of electric telegraph introduced in pre-independence India?

It failed to serve its intended purpose Signup and view all the answers

What was the ultimate fate of the Coast Canal on the Orissa coast in pre-independence India?

It was abandoned due to competition from railways Signup and view all the answers

How did the postal services perform in pre-independence India?

They remained inadequate despite serving a useful public purpose Signup and view all the answers

In what state was the agricultural sector in pre-independence India?

Struggling with surplus labor and low productivity Signup and view all the answers

'Was the British Raj good for India?' was a topic for informed debate primarily because:

'British Raj' had a mix of positive and negative impacts on India Signup and view all the answers

'Indian Economic Development' is important to understand because it helps appreciate:

'Level of development achieved' post-independence after understanding pre-independence economy Signup and view all the answers

'The industrial sector was crying for modernisation' implies that it required:

'Modernisation', 'diversification', and 'increased public investment' Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons behind developing Tata Airlines in 1932?

To support Indian aviation technology development Signup and view all the answers

What was the nature of India's economy before the British rule?

Agriculture was the main source of livelihood with a focus on manufacturing activities. Signup and view all the answers

What change did the economic policies pursued by the colonial government bring about in the structure of the Indian economy?

Transformed it into a supplier of raw materials and consumer of finished industrial products from Britain. Signup and view all the answers

What did most studies find about India's growth of aggregate real output during the first half of the twentieth century?

It was less than two per cent with a meagre half per cent growth in per capita output per year. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized India's economy under British colonial rule?

Fundamentally agrarian with about 85% of the population deriving livelihood from agriculture. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons for the unusual deterioration experienced by India's agricultural sector under colonial rule?

Lack of investment in irrigation and infrastructure. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reputation of Indian handicraft products in the global market before British colonial rule?

They enjoyed a worldwide market based on the reputation of fine quality and high craftsmanship. Signup and view all the answers

How did the economic policies pursued by the colonial government impact the Indian economy?

Focused more on protecting and promoting British economic interests than developing the Indian economy. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of India's population lived mostly in villages and derived livelihood directly or indirectly from agriculture under British colonial rule?

About 85% Signup and view all the answers

What contributed to the worldwide fame of Daccai Muslin, a type of cotton textile originating in Bengal?

'Daccai Muslin' was known for its exquisite quality, gaining popularity as an exquisite type of cotton textile. Signup and view all the answers

'Malmal shahi' or 'malmal khas' referred to which variety of muslin?

'Malmal shahi' referred to the finest variety of muslin. Signup and view all the answers

'Dadabhai Naoroji, William Digby, Findlay Shirras, V.K.R.V.Rao, and R.C.Desai' are notable for their:

Estimates of India’s national and per capita income during the colonial period. Signup and view all the answers

What was one notable impact of British colonial rule on India's textile industry?

A decline in India's world-famous handicraft industries under British-India government. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Indian Economic Development

The book 'Indian Economic Development' aims to understand India's economic past, present, and future prospects.
The primary objective of the book is to analyze the impact of British colonial rule on India's economy.

British Colonial Rule in India

The primary purpose of the British colonial rule in India was to exploit India's resources for their own benefit.
The British colonial government viewed India as a source of raw materials and a market for their manufactured goods.

Viceroy Victor Alexander Vruce's Statement

Viceroy Victor Alexander Vruce stated that "If we lose India, the sun of our Empire will have set," implying that India was crucial to the British Empire's survival.

Importance of Understanding India's Economic Past

Understanding India's economic past is essential to understand its present state and future prospects.
It helps appreciate the challenges India faced during the colonial period and the efforts made to overcome them.

Economic Policies under Colonial Dispensation

The primary focus of the economic policies under the colonial dispensation was to exploit India's resources for British benefit.
This led to the stagnation and deterioration of the agricultural sector, the collapse of India's handicraft industries, and a lack of investment in infrastructure.

Agricultural Sector under Colonial Rule

The agricultural sector continued to experience stagnation and deterioration under colonial rule due to the lack of investment in terracing, flood-control, and drainage.
The main reason for the stagnation was the lack of interest from the zamindars in improving the condition of agriculture.
The revenue settlement terms contributed to the plight of the farmers.

Handicraft Industries under Colonial Rule

India's world-famous handicraft industries collapsed under colonial rule due to the lack of support from the colonial government.
The export surplus led to a decline in the demand for Indian handicraft products.

Infrastructure Development under Colonial Rule

The British colonial regime attempted to improve infrastructure facilities, but the primary motive was to facilitate the exploitation of India's resources.
The main challenge faced by the independent Indian government was to develop infrastructure facilities that catered to India's needs.

Health Facilities under Colonial Rule

There was a lack of adequate public health facilities during colonial rule, leading to the prevalence of water and air-borne diseases.
The infant mortality rate was high, and life expectancy was low.
Extensive poverty prevailed in India during the colonial period.

Education and Demographics under Colonial Rule

The literacy level in India was low on the eve of independence.
The census conducted in 1881 revealed a slow growth rate of India's population.
The second stage of demographic transition in India began after 1921.

Industrial Sector under Colonial Rule

The industrial sector in India began to take root during the second half of the nineteenth century.
The main characteristics of India's foreign trade throughout the colonial period were the export of raw materials and the import of manufactured goods.
The primary motive behind the development of infrastructure under the colonial regime was to facilitate the exploitation of India's resources.

Impact of British Colonial Rule on India

The British colonial rule had a significant impact on the agricultural sector, leading to its stagnation and deterioration.
The industrial sector was crying for modernization, and the foreign trade was oriented towards feeding the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
The colonial dispensation took measures to develop inland trade and sea lanes, but the primary motive was to exploit India's resources.

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This quiz explores the social and economic challenges faced by Britain during the Industrial Revolution, including the need for modernization, diversification, capacity building, increased public investment, infrastructure upgrades, and welfare-oriented economic policies.

Challenges of Industrial Revolution in Britain

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