Maharashtra Class 10 History: Colonial Rule Impact

In the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Education's class ten history textbook, students learn about various aspects of colonial rule in Maharashtra during British Raj from the late eighteenth century until India gained independence in 1947. This period marked significant changes in social, economic, political, and administrative spheres, with shifts in governance from Company rule to Crown rule. Some key points covered in the textbook include:

Administrative Changes: Starting with Governor Gartner Warren Hastings, who introduced some important laws, institutions, and practices like Courts of Judicature and Punjab Code, later Lord Cornwallis was appointed Governor General in 1786, introducing Permanent Settlement Act which fixed land revenue permanently, benefiting Zamindars.

Political Reforms: Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian Civil Disobedience Movement against Churchill’s salt tax policy in 1930; he also protested against Imperialism and demanded complete Independence for India. The Quit India Movement occurred between August 9th and October 15th in 1942 under Mahatma Gandhi, aimed towards getting Britain out of India.

Economic Policy: Different economic policies were implemented by different Governors and Viceroy, such as the Canning Plan, which involved clearing away forests, planting new crops and giving employment opportunities for people residing there. Later, the Government decided to build railway lines throughout India due to British demand for cheap cotton yarn exported from Bombay City.

In summary, the colonial period brought major transformations in administration, politics, economics, and other areas affecting everyday life in Maharashtra. Students studying this course need to understand these impacts deeply to comprehend how modern-day society came into being after centuries of struggle among Indians themselves and their foreign rulers alike.