Indian Economic Development

Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

Question:

Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.

Answer:

British rule exploited India in many ways. But, the ways to achieve the motives sometimes yield positive effects. Their exploitative programmes and policies resulted in some positive impact on India. Some of these positive effects were:

  1.  Commercialisation of agriculture implied a good breakthrough in agriculture and resulted in self-sufficiency in fiSodgrain production.
  2.  The development of infrastructure, railways and roadways generated new opportunities for economic and social growth and broke cultural and geographical barriers.
  3.  Railways promoted commercialisation of agriculture through long distance movement of goods and it enabled people to move from one place to another easily.
  4.  The supply of food and essentials could be made available to drought affected areas through transportation.
  5. Indian economy witnessed a huge expansion of monetary system and growth in production through division of labour and specialisation.
previuos
next

Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

Q 1.

Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period.

Q 2.

What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?

Q 3.

Which is regarded as the defining year to mark the demographic transition from its first to the second decisive stage?

Q 4.

When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?

Q 5.

Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.

Q 6.

What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?

Q 7.

Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British. colonial administration.

Q 8.

Name some modem industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence.

Q 9.

Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.

Q 10.

Underscore some of India’s most crucial economic challenges at the time of independence.

Q 11.

The traditional handicraft industries were mined under the British mle. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Q 12.

What was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation effected by the British in pre-independent India?

Q 13.

What objectives did the British intend to achieve through their policies of infrastructure development in India?

Q 14.

Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.

Q 15.

What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?

Q 16.

Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.