POSITIVE IMPACT OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA

  • Commercial Outlook of Framers- Forced commercialization of agriculture by the Britishers forced the farmers to have a commercial outlook as they started producing more(in terms of quantity and diversity) for the market and not just for subsistence.
  • New Opportunities of Employment- Introduction of railways meant new employment opportunities outside agriculture.
  • Control of Famines- Not more starvation or death due to lack of food grains was there because of rapid means of transport reaching out to different areas.
  • Monetary System of Exchange- Monetary system instead of the barter system was introduced by them, which facilitated the division of labor, specialization, and large-scale production.
  • Efficient Administration- Britishers had a well efficient system of administration that provided a base for the country’s future politicians and planners.

NEGATIVE IMPACT OF BRITISH RULE IN INDIA

  • India remained an agricultural country throughout the British period and its agricultural sector remained totally backward. There was the commercialization of agriculture, to serve the interests of Great Britain.
  • British rulers never tried to modernize the prevailing industrial structure of India. There was large-scale destruction of world-famous handicrafts and cottage industries of the country.
  • By following the policy of discriminating protection, Britishers gained complete control over the entire Indian market.
  • British rulers gradually transformed the Indian economy into a primary producing country, exporting only agricultural products and raw materials necessary for industries in Britain and importing finished goods from Britain.
  • To promote foreign trade and to exploit the natural resources of India to their advantage, the British ruler's built-up economic infrastructure, which includes roads and railway networks, ports and shipping, irrigation and electricity, etc.
  • The British rulers thoroughly exploited the Indian economy through an economic drain.

Feature of Indian economy on the eve of independence:

    • Stagnant economy: There was very slow or no economic growth in the country. As a result of stagnation, there was unemployment, death, and suffering due to lack of food.
    • Backward economy: Indian economy was backward and per capita income was very low and in India, it was just Rs. 230 from 1947-1948.
    • Agricultural backwardness: With 70% of people engaged in agriculture, its contribution to GDP was only 50%. Productivity and production too were extremely low.
    • Industrial backwardness: Industrial sector was not developed, and there was a lack of basic and heavy industries in the country.
    • Widespread Poverty: The people in the country could not even meet their basic needs i.e. food, shelter and clothing. Unemployment and Illiteracy were other issues faced by the country.
    • Poor Infrastructure: Infrastructure like communication, transport, power or energy was underdeveloped.
    • Major dependence on imports: As a result of industrial backwardness in the country, several consumer goods like medicines were imported from abroad.
    • Limited Urbanisation: The majority of the population lived in villages meaning that they lacked opportunities outside agriculture.
    • Colonial economy: As India was a British colony, Britishers exploited Indian economy for their own benefits.