Describe the impact of British rule on the traditional industries and overall economic structure of India.
The Dravidian pattern of education also played a major role in the process of westernization of education in India especially during British rule. The Dravidian movement which was from South India was rationalism, self-respect and anti-caste movement which was in tune with a few of the Western educaRead more
The Dravidian pattern of education also played a major role in the process of westernization of education in India especially during British rule. The Dravidian movement which was from South India was rationalism, self-respect and anti-caste movement which was in tune with a few of the Western education systems.
Some of the leaders such as Periyar E. V. Ramasamy supported education to change scientific attitudes and secularism. This movement paved the way for the change in the education system from being dominated by the Brahmins and opened the doors of education to the downtrodden. The focus on rationalism and scientific method was in harmony with the Western educational models, which resulted in the assimilation of these features into the Indian educational system.
The change was also brought about by the Western missionaries and colonial administrators who introduced English education to the Indians which helped in the spread of Western scientific and rationalism. The Dravidian movement’s demand for educational changes supported these initiatives and created a secular and less prejudiced educational setting.
This combination of Dravidian rationalism with the Western education system helped in increasing the acceptance of Westernized education in India. It led to the formation of institutions that encouraged free thinking, scientific temper, and rationalism which are the basic foundations of modern India’s educational system which is a combination of Indian and Western systems.
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Model Answer Introduction The economic policies of the British in India from the mid-eighteenth century until independence fundamentally reshaped the Indian economy and society. Primarily designed to serve British imperial interests, these policies had far-reaching consequences for India's agricultuRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
The economic policies of the British in India from the mid-eighteenth century until independence fundamentally reshaped the Indian economy and society. Primarily designed to serve British imperial interests, these policies had far-reaching consequences for India’s agricultural and industrial landscapes.
Revenue Administration
The British implemented various land revenue systems, including the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems. While these aimed to streamline revenue collection, they often exploited farmers and concentrated wealth among a small elite. High revenue demands and inflexible collection methods led to widespread famine, rural indebtedness, and significant impoverishment of the peasantry.
Trade and Commerce
British economic policies prioritized the export of raw materials from India to Britain and the import of British manufactured goods. This shift transformed India from a self-sufficient economy into one dependent on British imports, undermining local industries.
Deindustrialization
The influx of machine-made British goods rendered traditional Indian handicrafts and small-scale industries uncompetitive, leading to widespread unemployment and the decline of local industries. This process of deindustrialization significantly eroded India’s economic self-sufficiency.
Railways
While the development of railways facilitated market integration and improved transportation, their primary aim was to serve British economic interests. Moreover, the railways were financed through Indian resources, contributing to the drain of wealth from India.
Drain of Wealth
This drain included profits repatriated by British companies, salaries and pensions of British officials, and interest payments on loans for infrastructure projects. Such policies severely hampered India’s economic development.
Conclusion
Overall, British economic policies led to the impoverishment of the peasantry, deindustrialization, and a substantial drain of wealth, overshadowing any infrastructural benefits. The detrimental effects of these policies left a lasting legacy on India’s economic landscape.
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