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Questions and Answers
What percentage of the workforce was employed in agriculture in India on the eve of independence?
What percentage of the workforce was employed in agriculture in India on the eve of independence?
Which characterizes India's economy just before it gained independence?
Which characterizes India's economy just before it gained independence?
Who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Railways’?
Who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Railways’?
What was the main objective of British economic policies in India?
What was the main objective of British economic policies in India?
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What was the condition of literacy in India in 1947?
What was the condition of literacy in India in 1947?
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What was primarily exported by India on the eve of independence?
What was primarily exported by India on the eve of independence?
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The drain of wealth theory was popularized by which individual?
The drain of wealth theory was popularized by which individual?
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What does the term 'Commercialization of agriculture' imply?
What does the term 'Commercialization of agriculture' imply?
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Which country was the primary destination for India's exports during British rule?
Which country was the primary destination for India's exports during British rule?
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What was the primary goal of the British land revenue systems in India?
What was the primary goal of the British land revenue systems in India?
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Which type of industries saw a significant decline during British rule in India?
Which type of industries saw a significant decline during British rule in India?
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In which regions was the Ryotwari system introduced?
In which regions was the Ryotwari system introduced?
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What aspect significantly hindered India's industrialization under British rule?
What aspect significantly hindered India's industrialization under British rule?
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The concept of 'subsistence agriculture' is best described as:
The concept of 'subsistence agriculture' is best described as:
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What was the main mode of foreign trade for India during British rule?
What was the main mode of foreign trade for India during British rule?
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What was the British perspective on Indian education primarily aimed at?
What was the British perspective on Indian education primarily aimed at?
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What was the overall impact of British colonial policies on India's economy?
What was the overall impact of British colonial policies on India's economy?
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Which aspect of Indian society experienced the most neglect during British rule?
Which aspect of Indian society experienced the most neglect during British rule?
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What was a significant consequence of the British policy of one-way free trade?
What was a significant consequence of the British policy of one-way free trade?
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Which city was the starting point of the first train in India?
Which city was the starting point of the first train in India?
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How was the Indian economy characterized on the eve of independence?
How was the Indian economy characterized on the eve of independence?
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What type of agriculture became predominant in India due to British influence?
What type of agriculture became predominant in India due to British influence?
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What was a primary factor hindering industrial development in India during British rule?
What was a primary factor hindering industrial development in India during British rule?
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What resource was a key component of India's export earnings while under British control?
What resource was a key component of India's export earnings while under British control?
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What primarily led to the deindustrialization of India during the British period?
What primarily led to the deindustrialization of India during the British period?
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Which significant event did the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 relate to?
Which significant event did the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 relate to?
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Which demographic characteristic was true about India's population before independence?
Which demographic characteristic was true about India's population before independence?
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What was one major reason for poor health conditions in colonial India?
What was one major reason for poor health conditions in colonial India?
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What was the primary reason for India's poor economic conditions under British rule?
What was the primary reason for India's poor economic conditions under British rule?
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What was the primary purpose of the railway network developed in India during British rule?
What was the primary purpose of the railway network developed in India during British rule?
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Study Notes
India's Economy on the Eve of Independence
- Predominantly Agrarian: Approximately 70% of the workforce was employed in agriculture.
- Limited Industrialization: Primarily cottage industries, not heavy industries.
- Low Literacy Rates: Literacy rate was around 12% in 1947.
- Low Life Expectancy: Life expectancy was approximately 32 years.
- Focus on Raw Materials: India's primary export was raw materials, not finished goods.
- Economic Drain: British policies aimed at maximizing their economic interests in India, leading to a significant drain of wealth.
- Colonial Policies: British policies focused on maximizing their economic benefit, not Indian development. They supported commercial agriculture over self-sufficiency.
- Deindustrialization: Decline of traditional industries like handicrafts under British rule.
- Neglect of Sectors: Education and healthcare were neglected under British rule.
- Unfavorable Trade Balance: India had an unfavorable balance of trade under British rule.
- Land Revenue Systems: Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems were imposed by the British, primarily to collect revenue.
Key Figures and Events
- Father of Indian Railways: Lord Dalhousie.
- Drain of Wealth Theory: Popularized by Dadabhai Naoroji.
- First Train in India: Ran between Bombay and Thane in 1853.
- Introduction of Railways: Introduced in 1853, mainly for facilitating movement of raw materials.
- Indigo Revolt: A rebellion against British exploitation of indigo farmers in 1859-1860.
Economic Indicators
- Agricultural GDP Percentage: Around 60% of GDP was from agriculture.
- Industrial Sector's GDP Percentage: The industrial sector contributed approximately 10% to GDP.
- Export Focus: Raw materials like cotton, jute, and spices were primary export items
British Colonial Policies and Impact
- **Economic Objectives:**British colonial policies aimed at serving British economic interests, not Indian development.
- Trade Policies: One-way free trade policies benefited British industries at the expense of Indian industries.
- Impact on Agriculture: British policies fostered commercial agriculture, but often led to food insecurity and famines.
- Impact on Industry: British policies hindered and suppressed the growth of Indian industries by promoting British industries and using Indian resources.
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Description
Explore the state of India's economy on the eve of independence in 1947. This quiz covers aspects such as the predominantly agrarian workforce, limited industrialization, and the impact of British colonial policies on economic conditions. Test your knowledge on how these factors shaped the nation’s economic landscape at that time.
