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:
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- 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.