Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence Class 11 Notes CBSE Economics Chapter 1 (Free PDF Download)

The current nature of the Indian economy is not solely owing to its current creation; its roots are deeply rooted in our history, i.e. India's past, particularly during the period when India was under British dominion. The reign lasted around two centuries. The Indian economy was in disarray on the brink of independence. In order to have a brighter future for ourselves and future generations, we as a country have to start from scratch and all over again. Our desire to obtain information and understanding was also stifled by 200 years of British control. We were denied an education because we were held as slaves by our oppressors. As a result of their acts, we were illiterate by the end of their rule. On the eve of independence, the Indian economy was brimming with people who had no idea how to serve the country.

Colonial Rule Resulted in Low-Level Economic Development:

• Prior to the arrival of British rule, the Indian economy was self-sufficient.

• Agriculture was the main source of livelihood, still the economy was influenced by various other activities like: Handicraft industries in the fields of silk and cotton textiles, metals and precious stone works, etc.

• Since high-quality materials were employed and a high standard of craftsmanship was evident in all Indian imports, Indian products had a global market.

• The economic policies of the colonial government were highly influenced by the self-centred economic interests.

• No sincere attempt was made by the colonial government to estimate India's national and per capita income.

• The notable estimators during that time were: Dadabhai Naoroji, William Digby, Findlay Shirras, V. K. R. V. Rao and R.C Desai. V. K. R. V. Rao's estimates were considered very significant at that time.

Conditions of Various Sectors of the Economy on the Eve of Independence.

Agriculture Sector

• Around 85% of the Indian population was dependent on agriculture during colonial rule.

• Agricultural productivity became low. The  sector experienced some growth due to various systems of land settlements which led to expansion of aggregate area under cultivation. 

• High yield of cash crops in country's certain areas was observed due to commercialisation of agriculture.

• There was little progress in irrigation still the sector suffered due to lack of investment in terracing, flood control, drainage and desalination of soil.

Industrial Sector

• The colonial rule did not allow the industrial base to grow in India for their own personal economic interests.

• They want India to remain a exporter of important raw materials so that they could set up modern industries in Britain.

• They also wanted to turn India into a market for finished products by their industries.

• The indigenous handicraft industries began to decline and this created huge unemployment in India.

• The roots of modern industry started to grow in India during the second half of the 19th century but the progress remained very slow.

• The cotton textile mills were concentrated in western parts of the country that is Maharashtra and Gujarat whereas the jute mills were located in Bengal.

Foreign Trade

• The structure, composition and volume of India's foreign trade was adversely affected by the restrictive policies of the commodity production, trade and tariff of the colonial government.

• Primary products such as silk, cotton, wool, sugar jute, Indigo were exported from India.

• Foreign trade was largely restricted to Britain, with only a handful of countries such as China, Sri Lanka, and Persia (Iran) being permitted.

• The Indian economy was gravely exploited by the British government which led to the drain of Indian wealth.

Demographic Condition

• The population growth in India was uneven.

• Census operations were conducted every ten years.

• Overall literacy marked less than 16% whereas the indicators of women literacy were as low as 7%. This clearly reflects the social and educational backwardness of the country.

• Overall mortality rate was high due to frequent breakouts of water and air borne diseases and unavailability of adequate health facilities.

• Low life expectancy existed with an alarmingly high infant mortality rate.

Occupational Structure.

• The largest share of the workforce was occupied in the agriculture sector at around 70-75% whereas manufacturing and services sector accounted for around 15 to 20%.

• Aside from it, 17.2% of the working population was employed in the service or tertiary sectors of the economy. On the eve of independence and thereafter, this offered sluggish expansion to the Indian economy's tertiary or service sector.

• The Indian economy eventually grew out of control just before Independence, with an uneven distribution of wealth.

Infrastructure

• The basic infrastructure such as railways, ports, water transport etc started developing during the colonial regime.

• This development was observed because that would serve colonial interests.

• Poor quality roads existed before the colonial government. Railways were introduced by the British in 1850 and this expanded India's exports.

• Rather than accelerating the development and growth of the Indian economy, the Colonial government's primary goal was to promote the British government's interests.

• Additionally, the barter system of trading gave way to a monetary system of exchange based on the usage of money. This aided the Indian economy's division of labour and large-scale production.

By the time India gained its independence each and every sector of the economy was saddled. There were huge challenges before the government that required immediate attention. What we inherited was a crippled economy.

Economics Class 11 Chapter 1 Notes Free PDF Download

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Chapter-Wise Indian Economic Development Class 11

Economics is not an easy subject until you have a clear idea regarding the chapters.

You will get 10 vital chapters here, along with easy explanations and examples. Indian Economic Development Class 11 Notes Chapter 1 CBSE Chapter-Wise:

• Chapter 1 Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence 

• Chapter 2 Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 

• Chapter 3 Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation : An Appraisal 

• Chapter 4 Poverty 

• Chapter 5 Rural Development 

• Chapter 6 Human Capital Formation in India 

• Chapter 7 Employment: Growth, Informalisation and Related Issues

• Chapter 8 Infrastructure

• Chapter 9 Environment Sustainable Development

• Chapter 10 Comparative Development Experience of India with its Neighbours

Steps to Follow Revision Notes Class 11

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Conclusion

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