Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary aim of the British in exploiting India's economy?
What was the primary aim of the British in exploiting India's economy?
To use India as a feeder economy for its own economy and exploit its resources.
Describe the state of the Indian economy before British rule.
Describe the state of the Indian economy before British rule.
India had a prosperous agrarian economy with a well-known handicraft industry.
Identify the three main sectors of the Indian economy mentioned.
Identify the three main sectors of the Indian economy mentioned.
Agriculture, Industrial, and Foreign Trade.
What percentage of the Indian population lived in villages and engaged in agriculture?
What percentage of the Indian population lived in villages and engaged in agriculture?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the impact of the Zamindari System on cultivators during British rule?
What was the impact of the Zamindari System on cultivators during British rule?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the commercialization of agriculture affect food production in India?
How did the commercialization of agriculture affect food production in India?
Signup and view all the answers
What were some reasons for the low level of agricultural productivity during British rule?
What were some reasons for the low level of agricultural productivity during British rule?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the trend of de-industrialization during British rule in India.
Explain the trend of de-industrialization during British rule in India.
Signup and view all the answers
What were the adverse effects of the decline of the handicraft industry in India?
What were the adverse effects of the decline of the handicraft industry in India?
Signup and view all the answers
What changes occurred in the industrial sector of India during British rule?
What changes occurred in the industrial sector of India during British rule?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence
- The study covers agricultural calculations, government plans, and budgets from 40 years leading up to 1991.
- An analysis of developments from 1991 to the present is also included.
Indian Economic Conditions Before Independence
- The syllabus reviews India's economic state, the challenges faced by the economy, and compares India's current standing with its pre-independence state.
British Aims in India
- The British aimed to use India as a feeder economy to support their own economy.
- They intended to exploit India's resources.
Pre-British India
- Before British rule, India had a prosperous agrarian economy.
- Well-known handicraft industries existed.
Indian Economic Sectors
- Two major sectors are agriculture and industry.
Agricultural Sector Problems
- 85% of the population lived in villages, and 75% were involved in agriculture (but India was not self-sufficient).
- The land settlement system, particularly the zamindari system, saw zamindars exploit cultivators.
- Commercialization of agriculture led to cash crops over food crops, reducing land quality and productivity.
- Lack of technology and dependence on rainfall, absence of irrigation and fertilizers, and limited investment in agriculture worsened the situation.
Industrial Sector Issues
- The British implemented de-industrialization policies.
- Raw materials were exported cheaply to Britain, while machine-made goods were imported at low or zero-tax rates.
- Indian-made goods faced high taxes, resulting in unemployment and a lack of capital goods industries.
- India became dependent on Britain for machine-made products.
- The industrial sector's contribution to GDP was minimal.
- Limitations in the public sector's role in industrial development were also observed (limited investment in industrial infrastructure).
Foreign Trade
- India was a crucial trading partner, but British policies negatively impacted India's trade position.
- India exported primary goods and imported finished goods.
- British control over trade had a significant negative impact on India.
Demographic Conditions
- India's first official census was in 1881.
- The 1921 population data marked a significant demographic shift.
- India had high birth and death rates (48 births per thousand).
Post-Independence Challenges
- High death rates and low literacy rates (7%), poor medical facilities, high mortality (218 per 1000), and a low life expectancy (32 years) were significant problems.
- Widespread poverty was prevalent.
British Contribution to India
- The British established infrastructure projects like roads and railways, though infrastructure was primarily for British support.
- Better transportation systems (roads and railways) reduced transportation costs.
- They addressed famines by establishing transport links and financial aid systems.
- A shift from barter systems to a money-based economy occurred.
- Efficient administration was established, but these improvements came at the cost of dependency and hindered Indian growth.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the economic landscape of India before independence, focusing on agricultural conditions, British exploitation, and the challenges faced. This quiz examines the transitions in India's economy from pre-independence to the current state, analyzing policies and sectoral performances.
