Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.
Yes, there were various positive contributions that were made by the British in India. The contributions were not intentional but purely the effects of colonial exploitation of the British. The following are the positive contributions made by the British:
1. Introduction of Railways: The introduction of railways by the British was a breakthrough in the development process of Indian economy. It opened up the cultural and geographical barriers and facilitated commercialisation of Indian agriculture.
2. Introduction of Commercialisation of Agriculture: The introduction of commercial agriculture is an important breakthrough in the history of Indian agriculture. Prior to the advent of the British, Indian agriculture was of subsistence nature. But with the commercialisation of agriculture, the agricultural production was carried out as per the market requirements. It was due to this factor that today India can aim at attaining self-sufficiency in food grains production.
3. Introduced Free Trade to India: British forced India to follow a free trade pattern during colonial rule. This is the key concept of globalisation today. The free trade provided the domestic industry with a platform to compete with the Britain industries. The introduction of free trade led to an increase in the volume of India's export rapidly.
4. Development of Infrastructure: The infrastructure developed in India by the British proved as a useful tool to check the spread of famines. The telegram and postal services served Indian public.
5. Promoted Western Culture: English as a language promoted a westernised form of education. The English language acted as a window to the outside world. This has integrated India with the rest of the world.
6. Role Model: The way and the technique of British administration acts as a role model for the Indian politicians and planners. It helped Indian politicians to govern the country in an efficient and effective manner.
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
When was India’s first official census operation undertaken?
Name some notable economists who estimated India’s per capita income during the colonial period?
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence?
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
What were the main causes of India’s agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
The traditional handicrafts industries were ruined under the British rule. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
What are the two major sources of human capital in a country?
What do you mean by rural development? Bring out the key issues in rural development.
Define a plan?
Who is a worker?
Explain the term ‘infrastructure’.
What is meant by environment?
Why are regional and economic groupings formed?
Why were reforms introduced in India?
Why calorie-based norm is not adequate to identify the poor?
What are the indicators of educational achievement in a country?
Differentiate the six systems of Indian medicine.
Explain how the opportunity costs of negative environmental impact are high.
Do you think the navaratna policy of the government helps in improving the performance of public sector undertakings in India? How?
Those public sector undertakings which are making profits should be privatised. Do you agree with this view? Why?
Compare and contrast the development of India, China and Pakistan with respect to some salient human development indicators.
How does investment in human capital contribute to growth?
Why has the industrial sector performed poorly in the reform period?
Identify six factors contributing to land degradation in India.
Distinguish between the following
(i) Strategic and Minority sale
(ii) Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
(iii) Tariff and Non-tariff barriers.
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.