India under the British Rule

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The economic consequences of the British rule can be studied under three heads:

Decline of Handicrafts

  • While India was an exporter of Handicrafts before the Industrial revolution, the revolution reversed the character of India’s Foreign Trade
    • Increase in demand for raw material for British industries
    • Hence, steps were made to crush Indian handcrafts as well as commercialise agriculture to meet the interests of the British industries
  • Principle causes for the decline of Indian handicrafts
    • Disappearance of Princely courts
    • Hostile policy of the East India Company and the British Parliament
    • Competition of machine-made goods
    • The development of new forms and patterns of demand as a result of foreign influence
  • Economic consequences of the decline of handicrafts
    • Increased Unemployment
    • Back-to-the-land movement: handicrafts were forced to take up agriculture or become landless labourers. This increased the pressure on land. This trend of growing proportion of the working force on agriculture is described as ‘progressive ruralisation’ or ‘deindustrialisation of India’. Thus, the crisis in handicrafts and industries seriously crippled Indian Agriculture.

Land System during 1793-1850

  • 1793: permanent settlement
  • Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari systems
  • Absentee landlordism emerged
  • The result of the whole change in the land system led to the emergence of subsistence agriculture
  • It helped the concentration of economic power in the hand of absentee landlords and moneylenders in rural India.

Commercialisation of Agriculture (1850-1947)

  • Define: Production of crop for sale rather than for family consumption
  • What distinguished commercial agriculture from normal sales of marketable surplus was that it was a deliberate policy worked up under the pressure from British industries. It was thus forced upon the Indian peasantry.
  • Resistance: Indigo revolution etc
  • Why CA? Industrial Revolution
  • Impact of railways and road transport: Railways and road transport made possible a huge expansion in cash Cropping, for national and international markets, and production regimes across the subcontinent were placed in a new context of opportunity
  • Impact of CA
    • Mass movement to commercial agriculture caused decline in food production, increase in prices and famines.
    • Halted the process of industrialisation in India

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The East India Company was a British joint-stock company formed for pursuing trade with the East Indies, which at the time included much of Southeast Asia. The Company was granted a Royal Charter in 1600, and established its first trading post at Surat in Gujarat, India, in 1612. The Company quickly became a major player in the Indian subcontinent, and by the 18th century it had established a virtual monopoly on trade with India.

The Company’s rule in India was marked by a number of abuses, including the exploitation of Indian workers, the use of Indian soldiers to fight in British wars, and the imposition of high taxes. These abuses led to a number of rebellions against the Company, including the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. The Rebellion was a major turning point in British rule in India, and it led to the end of the Company’s rule and the establishment of the British Raj.

The British Raj was the period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947. The Raj was a period of great change for India, as the British introduced a number of new ideas and institutions to the country. These included the English language, Western Education, and a system of law based on British common law. The Raj also saw the development of a new Indian middle class, which would play a major role in the independence movement.

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by a group of Indian intellectuals and lawyers. The Congress’s goal was to achieve self-government for India within the British Empire. The Congress initially used peaceful methods to achieve its goals, but it later turned to non-violent resistance, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s methods were successful in mobilizing Indian support for independence, and in 1947 India gained its independence from Britain.

Mahatma Gandhi was the leader of the Indian independence movement. He is also known as the Father of India. Gandhi was a lawyer by training, but he became a full-time activist for Indian independence in the early 20th century. He led a number of nonviolent protests against British rule, including the Salt March of 1930. Gandhi’s methods were successful in mobilizing Indian support for independence, and in 1947 India gained its independence from Britain.

The Partition of India was the division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in 1947. The Partition was a violent and chaotic event, and it led to the deaths of millions of people. The Partition also led to the displacement of millions of people, as Hindus and Muslims fled their homes in search of safety in the newly created countries.

The Republic of India was established on January 26, 1950. India is a secular, democratic republic with a Population of over 1.3 billion people. India is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Non-Aligned Movement. India is a major economic power, and it is one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about India under the British rule:

  1. What was the British Raj?
    The British Raj was the period of British rule in India from 1858 to 1947. It was a time of great change and upheaval for India, as the country was transformed from a collection of independent kingdoms and principalities into a single, unified nation.

  2. How did the British come to rule India?
    The British East India Company was founded in 1600 with the goal of trading with India. Over the next 200 years, the company gradually increased its power and influence in India, until it became the de facto ruler of the country.

  3. What was life like under British rule?
    Life under British rule was very different for different groups of people in India. The British did bring some benefits to India, such as improved Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and education. However, they also exploited the country’s Resources and people, and many Indians suffered under their rule.

  4. What was the Indian independence movement?
    The Indian independence movement was a long and complex struggle for self-rule that began in the late 19th century. It was led by a number of different groups and individuals, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhash Chandra Bose.

  5. When did India gain independence from Britain?
    India gained independence from Britain on August 15, 1947. This day is celebrated as Independence Day in India.

  6. What was the impact of British rule on India?
    The impact of British rule on India was profound. The British left a lasting legacy on the country, both positive and negative. Some of the positive impacts include improved infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Some of the negative impacts include economic exploitation, social inequality, and political instability.

  7. What is the legacy of British rule in India today?
    The legacy of British rule in India is still felt today. The country is still struggling with some of the problems that were created during the British Raj, such as POVERTY, inequality, and Corruption. However, India has also made great progress since independence, and it is now a major player on the world stage.

  8. What are some of the challenges facing India today?
    India faces a number of challenges today, including poverty, inequality, corruption, and terrorism. However, the country is also making great progress, and it is expected to become one of the world’s leading economies in the coming decades.

  9. What are some of the opportunities for India in the future?
    India has a number of opportunities for growth in the future. The country has a young and growing population, a large and diverse economy, and a strong Democracy. India is also well-positioned to take advantage of the growing global economy.

  10. What is the future of India?
    The future of India is bright. The country is expected to continue to grow and develop in the coming decades. India is poised to become one of the world’s leading economies and a major player on the global stage.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of Indian history, without mentioning the topic of India under the British Rule:

  1. Which of the following was the first major Indian empire?
    (A) The Mauryan Empire
    (B) The Gupta Empire
    (C) The Mughal Empire
    (D) The Vijayanagara Empire

  2. Who was the founder of the Mughal Empire?
    (A) Babur
    (B) Akbar
    (C) Jahangir
    (D) Shah Jahan

  3. Which of the following is a major Hindu text?
    (A) The Vedas
    (B) The Upanishads
    (C) The Mahabharata
    (D) The Ramayana

  4. Who was the leader of the Indian independence movement?
    (A) Mahatma Gandhi
    (B) Jawaharlal Nehru
    (C) Subhash Chandra Bose
    (D) Vallabhbhai Patel

  5. When did India gain independence from Britain?
    (A) 1947
    (B) 1948
    (C) 1949
    (D) 1950

  6. Which of the following is a major Indian festival?
    (A) Diwali
    (B) Holi
    (C) Eid
    (D) Christmas

  7. Which of the following is a major Indian cuisine?
    (A) Punjabi cuisine
    (B) Bengali cuisine
    (C) South Indian cuisine
    (D) North Indian cuisine

  8. Which of the following is a major Indian language?
    (A) Hindi
    (B) Bengali
    (C) Tamil
    (D) Telugu

  9. Which of the following is a major Indian sport?
    (A) Cricket
    (B) Hockey
    (C) Kabaddi
    (D) Football

  10. Which of the following is a major Indian monument?
    (A) The Taj Mahal
    (B) The Red Fort
    (C) The Qutub Minar
    (D) The Hampi ruins

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