Podcast
Questions and Answers
India was never under British rule.
India was never under British rule.
False
The primary objective of the book is to focus only on the present state of India's economy.
The primary objective of the book is to focus only on the present state of India's economy.
False
The British colonial rule in India aimed at making India a leading industrial power.
The British colonial rule in India aimed at making India a leading industrial power.
False
India gained independence on 15 August 1947.
India gained independence on 15 August 1947.
Signup and view all the answers
The industrial sector in India was in need of modernisation, diversification, and increased public investment before independence.
The industrial sector in India was in need of modernisation, diversification, and increased public investment before independence.
Signup and view all the answers
India had an independent economy before the British rule.
India had an independent economy before the British rule.
Signup and view all the answers
Foreign trade in India was focused on supporting the Industrial Revolution in France.
Foreign trade in India was focused on supporting the Industrial Revolution in France.
Signup and view all the answers
The agricultural sector in India was thriving and experiencing growth under British colonial rule.
The agricultural sector in India was thriving and experiencing growth under British colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
India was particularly known for its handicraft industries in cotton and silk textiles only.
India was particularly known for its handicraft industries in cotton and silk textiles only.
Signup and view all the answers
The British-India government significantly contributed to the replacement of India's handicraft industries with a modern industrial base.
The British-India government significantly contributed to the replacement of India's handicraft industries with a modern industrial base.
Signup and view all the answers
Muslin textile had its origin in Bengal.
Muslin textile had its origin in Bengal.
Signup and view all the answers
India faced frequent natural calamities and famines which led to high mortality rates during colonial rule.
India faced frequent natural calamities and famines which led to high mortality rates during colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
The colonial government in India primarily focused on developing the Indian economy.
The colonial government in India primarily focused on developing the Indian economy.
Signup and view all the answers
India remained predominantly agrarian during the British colonial rule.
India remained predominantly agrarian during the British colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
The independent Indian government did not have to build on any existing infrastructure facilities established during colonial rule.
The independent Indian government did not have to build on any existing infrastructure facilities established during colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
A large percentage of India's population was engaged in agriculture under British colonial rule.
A large percentage of India's population was engaged in agriculture under British colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
India's national income and per capita income were accurately estimated by the colonial government.
India's national income and per capita income were accurately estimated by the colonial government.
Signup and view all the answers
The growth of India's aggregate real output during the first half of the twentieth century was more than 2% per year.
The growth of India's aggregate real output during the first half of the twentieth century was more than 2% per year.
Signup and view all the answers
India's agricultural sector experienced significant growth under British colonial rule.
India's agricultural sector experienced significant growth under British colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
Bernier described Bengal as being richer than Egypt in the seventeenth century.
Bernier described Bengal as being richer than Egypt in the seventeenth century.
Signup and view all the answers
Muslin textile was referred to as malmal shahi or malmal khas by foreign travelers.
Muslin textile was referred to as malmal shahi or malmal khas by foreign travelers.
Signup and view all the answers
India was primarily a consumer of raw materials and a supplier of finished industrial products to Britain under colonial rule.
India was primarily a consumer of raw materials and a supplier of finished industrial products to Britain under colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
During the British rule, India experienced an export surplus which resulted in a flow of gold and silver into India.
During the British rule, India experienced an export surplus which resulted in a flow of gold and silver into India.
Signup and view all the answers
The Suez Canal reduced the cost of transportation and made access to the Indian market more difficult.
The Suez Canal reduced the cost of transportation and made access to the Indian market more difficult.
Signup and view all the answers
India was in the second stage of demographic transition before 1921.
India was in the second stage of demographic transition before 1921.
Signup and view all the answers
The overall literacy level in India before independence was over 50%.
The overall literacy level in India before independence was over 50%.
Signup and view all the answers
Public health facilities were highly adequate in India before independence.
Public health facilities were highly adequate in India before independence.
Signup and view all the answers
The infant mortality rate before independence was lower than 50 per thousand.
The infant mortality rate before independence was lower than 50 per thousand.
Signup and view all the answers
Life expectancy before independence was around 69 years.
Life expectancy before independence was around 69 years.
Signup and view all the answers
Extensive poverty prevailed in India during the colonial period.
Extensive poverty prevailed in India during the colonial period.
Signup and view all the answers
During the colonial period, the occupational structure of India showed significant signs of change.
During the colonial period, the occupational structure of India showed significant signs of change.
Signup and view all the answers
A large section of India's population had all basic needs met, including housing, during the colonial period.
A large section of India's population had all basic needs met, including housing, during the colonial period.
Signup and view all the answers
Famines frequently occurred in India before independence.
Famines frequently occurred in India before independence.
Signup and view all the answers
A pie chart for the occupational structure in India at the time of independence is not available in the text.
A pie chart for the occupational structure in India at the time of independence is not available in the text.
Signup and view all the answers
The decline of indigenous handicraft industries in India led to massive unemployment and a new demand for locally made goods.
The decline of indigenous handicraft industries in India led to massive unemployment and a new demand for locally made goods.
Signup and view all the answers
The modern industry in India during the second half of the nineteenth century primarily consisted of iron and steel factories.
The modern industry in India during the second half of the nineteenth century primarily consisted of iron and steel factories.
Signup and view all the answers
The cotton textile mills in India, dominated by Indians, were mainly located in the eastern parts of the country.
The cotton textile mills in India, dominated by Indians, were mainly located in the eastern parts of the country.
Signup and view all the answers
Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) was established in 1907.
Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) was established in 1907.
Signup and view all the answers
There were many capital goods industries in India before the Second World War.
There were many capital goods industries in India before the Second World War.
Signup and view all the answers
The public sector in India during the early industrial development days operated in various sectors like railways and power generation.
The public sector in India during the early industrial development days operated in various sectors like railways and power generation.
Signup and view all the answers
India's foreign trade during the colonial period included significant exports of finished consumer goods like cotton and silk clothes.
India's foreign trade during the colonial period included significant exports of finished consumer goods like cotton and silk clothes.
Signup and view all the answers
Britain had monopoly control over more than half of India's foreign trade during the colonial period.
Britain had monopoly control over more than half of India's foreign trade during the colonial period.
Signup and view all the answers
The opening of the Suez Canal had no impact on intensifying British control over India's foreign trade.
The opening of the Suez Canal had no impact on intensifying British control over India's foreign trade.
Signup and view all the answers
India generated a large import surplus throughout the colonial period.
India generated a large import surplus throughout the colonial period.
Signup and view all the answers
India's foreign trade with countries other than Britain was very limited during the colonial period.
India's foreign trade with countries other than Britain was very limited during the colonial period.
Signup and view all the answers
The primary objective of India's foreign trade during the colonial period was to focus on exporting primary products.
The primary objective of India's foreign trade during the colonial period was to focus on exporting primary products.
Signup and view all the answers
The agricultural productivity became low despite the expansion of the aggregate area under cultivation.
The agricultural productivity became low despite the expansion of the aggregate area under cultivation.
Signup and view all the answers
Under the zamindari system in Bengal Presidency, the profit from agriculture went to the cultivators.
Under the zamindari system in Bengal Presidency, the profit from agriculture went to the cultivators.
Signup and view all the answers
The zamindars were solely interested in improving the economic condition of the cultivators.
The zamindars were solely interested in improving the economic condition of the cultivators.
Signup and view all the answers
The revenue settlement terms for zamindars were flexible and did not have consequences for late payments.
The revenue settlement terms for zamindars were flexible and did not have consequences for late payments.
Signup and view all the answers
The low agricultural productivity was aggravated by high levels of technology and extensive use of fertilizers.
The low agricultural productivity was aggravated by high levels of technology and extensive use of fertilizers.
Signup and view all the answers
Cash crops were primarily grown by farmers to meet local food requirements.
Cash crops were primarily grown by farmers to meet local food requirements.
Signup and view all the answers
India's agriculture received significant investment in terracing and desalinization of soil during colonial rule.
India's agriculture received significant investment in terracing and desalinization of soil during colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
A large section of tenants, small farmers, and sharecroppers had both resources and incentives to invest in agriculture.
A large section of tenants, small farmers, and sharecroppers had both resources and incentives to invest in agriculture.
Signup and view all the answers
India developed a strong industrial base under colonial rule.
India developed a strong industrial base under colonial rule.
Signup and view all the answers
One motive of the colonial government was to turn India into a primary market for British finished products.
One motive of the colonial government was to turn India into a primary market for British finished products.
Signup and view all the answers
India was intended to be a key exporter of raw materials for British modern industries.
India was intended to be a key exporter of raw materials for British modern industries.
Signup and view all the answers
The colonial government encouraged the development of a strong modern industrial base in India during its rule.
The colonial government encouraged the development of a strong modern industrial base in India during its rule.
Signup and view all the answers
The largest share of the workforce in colonial India was in the agricultural sector.
The largest share of the workforce in colonial India was in the agricultural sector.
Signup and view all the answers
The manufacturing and services sectors in colonial India had a combined share of 30-35% of the workforce.
The manufacturing and services sectors in colonial India had a combined share of 30-35% of the workforce.
Signup and view all the answers
The British colonial rule in India aimed at providing basic amenities to the people through infrastructure development.
The British colonial rule in India aimed at providing basic amenities to the people through infrastructure development.
Signup and view all the answers
The British introduced railways in India around the year 1850.
The British introduced railways in India around the year 1850.
Signup and view all the answers
The introduction of railways in India primarily aimed at fostering self-sufficiency in Indian village economies.
The introduction of railways in India primarily aimed at fostering self-sufficiency in Indian village economies.
Signup and view all the answers
The Indian people benefited economically from the volume expansion of India's exports due to the introduction of railways.
The Indian people benefited economically from the volume expansion of India's exports due to the introduction of railways.
Signup and view all the answers
The postal services introduced by the British in India were considered adequate and efficient.
The postal services introduced by the British in India were considered adequate and efficient.
Signup and view all the answers
The Coast Canal on the Orissa coast proved to be economical and successfully competed with the railways.
The Coast Canal on the Orissa coast proved to be economical and successfully competed with the railways.
Signup and view all the answers
The British administration in India is generally perceived to have been quite beneficial.
The British administration in India is generally perceived to have been quite beneficial.
Signup and view all the answers
The agricultural sector in colonial India faced surplus labor and high productivity.
The agricultural sector in colonial India faced surplus labor and high productivity.
Signup and view all the answers
The inland waterways developed under colonial rule were highly successful and economically viable.
The inland waterways developed under colonial rule were highly successful and economically viable.
Signup and view all the answers
The British introduced an expensive system of electric telegraph in India primarily for enhancing economic development.
The British introduced an expensive system of electric telegraph in India primarily for enhancing economic development.
Signup and view all the answers