Indian Economy on the eve of Independence Flashcards
What was the state of the Indian economy on the eve of independence?
The Indian economy was stagnant, semi-feudal, and heavily dependent on agriculture, with low industrial and economic growth due to colonial exploitation.
What were the key features of India’s agricultural sector before independence?
Low productivity.
Zamindari system leading to exploitation of farmers.
Lack of irrigation facilities.
High dependency on monsoons.
Name two major industries in India during the colonial period.
Cotton textile and jute industries.
What were the main handicaps of Indian industries under British rule?
Lack of capital and technology.
Discriminatory policies favoring British industries.
High import tariffs on Indian goods.
Lack of infrastructure for industrial growth.
What was the primary motive of British colonial policies in India?
Economic exploitation to benefit Britain by turning India into a supplier of raw materials and a market for British manufactured goods.
How did British policies impact India’s trade?
India became a net exporter of raw materials and importer of finished goods.
Deindustrialization of Indian handicrafts.
Trade focused on Britain and other colonies.
What was the state of infrastructure in India during the colonial period?
Limited to promoting British interests, such as railways for raw material transportation, while basic amenities like health, education, and irrigation were neglected.
What were the demographic conditions in India during colonial rule?
High birth and death rates.
Poor health facilities leading to diseases and low life expectancy.
High illiteracy rates and low standards of living.
Name two positive contributions of the British rule in India.
Development of railways, telegraphs, and ports.
Introduction of modern legal and administrative frameworks.
How did the partition of India affect the economy?
Partition led to loss of fertile agricultural land, disruption of industries, and displacement of people, causing economic instability.
What was the state of foreign trade in India during the colonial period?
Export of primary goods (raw materials) and import of finished goods.
Monopoly of British rule over trade.
Drain of wealth to Britain without adequate returns.
What do you mean by the ‘Drain of Wealth’?
A part of India’s wealth and resources was transferred to Britain in the form of salaries, military expenses, and profits, leading to economic impoverishment.
How did the partition of India affect its economy?
Loss of fertile agricultural regions to Pakistan.
Disruption in markets and industrial hubs.
Displacement of millions, creating social and economic chaos.
What were the key causes of low industrialization during British rule?
Lack of capital and modern technology.
Discriminatory tariff policies favoring British goods.
Poor infrastructure.
Decline of traditional handicrafts.
What were the main economic activities of the Indian population on the eve of independence?
Agriculture as the primary source of livelihood.
Limited industrial and service sector opportunities.
Dominance of small-scale and cottage industries.
Name two systems of land revenue introduced by the British in India.
Zamindari system: Landlords collected taxes from farmers.
Ryotwari system: Farmers paid taxes directly to the government.
Q: What was the literacy rate in India at the time of independence?
Around 16% with extremely low female literacy.
What role did Indian railways play in the economy during colonial rule?
Facilitated the exploitation of resources, enabled the movement of raw materials to ports, and helped in the distribution of British goods in India.
What were the main demographic features of India on the eve of independence?
High birth and death rates.
Low life expectancy (around 32 years).
Poor health facilities and sanitation.
How did British policies impact India’s traditional handicrafts?
Loss of demand due to cheaper British machine-made goods.
High taxation and lack of state support.
Decline in employment for artisans and craftsmen.
