British Rule in India

Brief History of British Rule in India

The British rule over India changed the course of

history in India. The British came to India at the start of the seventeenth century. This was the time when the British East India Company was established in India to break the Dutch monopoly over spice trade. With time the East India Company increased its powers and started to administer the country. However its policies were disliked by Indians and together they revolted against the company. This led to the downfall of the company and the administration of India went directly under the Queen.

Brief History of British Rule in India

The British annexed many princely states and

formed laws and policies of their own. Slowly but rapidly the entire Indian sub continent came under the British rule. By mid nineteenth century, the British introduced the railways, telegraph and postal service in India. This was a move to establish their rule permanently in India. The first railway line was from Howrah in Calcutta to Raniganj in Bihar. The introduction of telegraph and postal services simplified communication all over the country.

East India Company And Queen of England

Brief History of British Rule in India

The British passed many acts that were met

with dissatisfaction and resentment by the Indians. As a result the Indians formed large groups and revolted against the British. Each movement was brutally crushed by the British forces. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Rajpat Rai, Subhash Chandra Bose, etc. arose and openly condemned the British. They were people's leaders who inspired the masses not to be afraid of the forces.

Brief History of British Rule in India

Finally after 200 years of British rule, India

gained independence from them on 15th August, 1947. Many innocent lives were sacrificed for this achievement and India was also separated from Pakistan. The partition of India and Pakistan spread incidents of brutality and horror in both the countries. But due to the effort of the leaders and the ever sacrificing masses, India was able to gain freedom from the British and progress till the present times.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

1.British introduced peace and order in the

country. There was political stability in the country. Such economy would have caused economic development of the country but for the British outlook towards it, it was affected adversely.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

2.As a result of peace and order in the country,

there was security to life and property of the people.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

3.By destroying the old beliefs, customs,

traditions, British introduced a new social outlook on material basis. such an order is the precondition for economic development.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

4.There was a trend towards market economy

during British rule in India. The important changes in the structure of commerce, agriculture and industrial production, transport and communication, and social life took place. This has often been described as economic transition in India.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

5.The development of the system of

transportation and communication resulted in some social, economic and political advantage. Socially and economically it helped in movement of men and material. Politically, it helped in unification, and strengthening the administration of the country.

Positive Consequences of British Rule in India

6.The early industrial development of the

Indian economy was due to British enterprise and capital. Some of our traditional industries like jute, plantations and textiles owe their existence due to pioneering zeal and fostering efforts of certain British Managing Agency Houses.

Negative effects of British Rule in India

1.ON AGRICULTURE: Though commercialisation of agriculture helped in

generating marketable surplus, it benefitted only few farmers and commercial interest. Rather, for majority of farmers it created the problem of famines by destroying the self sufficiency on the part of villages. problem of food shortage was felt. this introduced an element of instability in agriculture. There was a huge growth in agricultural debt. The poverty of the farmers forces them to borrow money and express their inability to repay it. Change in system of land relation

Negative effects of British Rule in India

2.ON INDUSTRIES: Lop sided pattern of industrial development: This effect

was reflected in pattern of industrial employment and concentration of industries in few cities and towns, and was caused mainly by colonial character of our country. the composition of industrial output showed the dominance of consumer goods over producers and capital goods. Lack of development of certain basic and infrastructure industries. Greater role of British Capital: It was the foreign capital, particularly British capital, which was playing a leading role in the industrial development programmes in India. Decline of village handicrafts and slow growth of modern industries affected the agriculture sector of economy.

Negative effects of British Rule in India

3.EXTERNAL TRADE: During British rule in India our exports on an

average exceeded imports. We no doubt had a surplus balance of trade, but this surplus did not result in economic development of the country.