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When was the Battle of Plassey fought?
The main purpose of British rule in India was to:
India gained independence from British rule on:
Before the advent of British rule, the Indian economy was:
Before British rule, agriculture engaged about ______ of the total population.
'Muslin' is a type of cotton textile which had its origin in:
The finest variety of muslin was called:
Who among the following made significant estimates of India's national and per capita income during the colonial period?
The growth of aggregate real output during the first half of the twentieth century was:
During the British rule, nearly _____ of the country's population lived in villages.
The Zamindari System was introduced by:
The Zamindari System was introduced in the year:
In the Zamindari System, the zamindars were recognised as:
Commercialisation of agriculture means:
The main reason for the decline of India's handicraft industry under British rule was:
Under the Discriminatory Tariff Policy, which of the following was allowed?
TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company) was set up in the year:
The cotton textile mills during the British period were mainly located in:
The opening of the Suez Canal took place in the year:
The Suez Canal is located in:
More than _____ of India's foreign trade was restricted to Britain.
The first official census in India was conducted in the year:
The year _____ is described as the 'Year of the Great Divide'.
The birth rate during the British period was nearly ___ per thousand.
The literacy rate during the British period was less than:
The infant mortality rate during the British period was about:
Life expectancy during the British period was about:
During the colonial period, the agricultural sector accounted for _____ of the workforce.
The manufacturing and service sectors during the colonial period accounted for _____ and _____ respectively.
Railways were introduced in India in the year:
India's first passenger train ran from:
India's first postal stamp was released in the year:
The Coinage Act was enacted in the year:
A stagnant economy is one that is:
On the eve of independence, the growth of aggregate real output during the first half of the 20th century was ______ and growth in per capita output was ______.
"The British colonial rule tempered the Indian economy very badly." This statement implies that:
Which of the following best describes the impact of British economic policies on India's self-reliance?
Read the following statements and choose the correct option: Statement I: Before British rule, India was an independent and prosperous economy. Statement II: British colonial policies were primarily focused on developing the Indian economy.
Colonialism refers to:
The Zamindari System led to stagnation in agriculture because:
Which of the following correctly explains why commercialisation of agriculture resulted in famines? Statement I: Farmers shifted from food crops to cash crops, reducing food grain production. Statement II: India was forced to export food grains which were in short supply in Britain.
"The cultivator had neither the means nor any incentive to invest in agriculture." This situation arose because:
The partition of India at independence adversely affected agriculture because:
The two-fold motive of British rule behind de-industrialisation was:
The decline of Indian handicraft industries led to:
Why did British rulers not promote capital goods industries in India?
Which of the following industries was dominated by Indian entrepreneurs during the British period?
India's export surplus during the British rule was used for all of the following EXCEPT:
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869:
Read the following statements and choose the correct option: Statement I: India became an exporter of primary products and importer of finished goods under British rule. Statement II: This pattern of trade resulted in drain of Indian wealth.
Why is 1921 called the 'Year of the Great Divide'?
During the British rule, both birth rate and death rate were very high. This indicates that India was in the:
The female literacy rate during the British period was about:
During the colonial period, the occupational structure showed:
Which of the following regions witnessed a decline in dependence on agriculture during the colonial period?
The basic objective of British Government to develop infrastructure in India was:
Railways promoted foreign trade but:
The development of roads under British rule primarily served the interests of:
Which of the following is NOT considered a positive contribution of British rule?
On the eve of independence, the Indian economy is described as:
Assertion (A): The Indian economy on the eve of independence was a stagnant economy. Reason (R): The country's growth of aggregate real output was less than 2% and per capita output growth was only 0.5% per year.
Assertion (A): The decline of Indian handicrafts led to mass unemployment. Reason (R): The displaced artisans were forced to take up agriculture, increasing the burden of population on land.
Assertion (A): British rule introduced railways in India in 1850. Reason (R): The primary motive was to provide cheap transportation to Indian citizens.
Assertion (A): Commercialisation of agriculture resulted in frequent famines in India. Reason (R): Farmers shifted from food crops to cash crops, reducing the production of food grains.
Assertion (A): India had a huge export surplus during the British rule. Reason (R): The export surplus was used for the economic development of India.
Assertion (A): The Zamindari System was also known as the Permanent Settlement System. Reason (R): Under this system, the zamindars were recognised as owners of the land.
Assertion (A): 1921 is called the 'Year of the Great Divide'. Reason (R): India's population started declining from 1921 onwards.
Assertion (A): The British Government did not promote capital goods industries in India. Reason (R): They wanted Indians to remain dependent on Britain for capital goods and heavy equipment. --- ### Section D: Case-Based MCQs **Case Study 1** Before the advent of British rule, India was an independent, self-reliant and prosperous economy. Agriculture was the main source of livelihood for most people, engaging about two-thirds of the total population. India was also well known for its handicraft industries in cotton and silk textiles, metal and precious stone works. Muslin from Bengal, especially 'Daccai Muslin', had gained worldwide fame. However, the economic policies pursued by the colonial government brought a fundamental change in the structure of the Indian economy.
Before British rule, what proportion of India's population was engaged in agriculture?
'Daccai Muslin' was a fine variety of:
The transformation of the Indian economy under British rule was caused by:
The Zamindari System was introduced primarily to:
In the Zamindari System, zamindars functioned as:
The high rates of lagaan led to:
Under British rule, India's exports mainly consisted of:
The export surplus during the British rule was used for:
The term 'drain of Indian wealth' refers to:
When British left India, it was:
Which of the following factors further caused the decline of the jute textile industry after the partition of the country?
Name the economist whose estimates on GDP and per capita income during the British rule are considered to be most significant.
Initially, the industrial development was confined to the setting up of:
When did the modern postal system start in India?
Which service remained throughout inadequate under the colonial regime?
During the British rule, inland waterways proved to be uneconomical because of:
The main intention of the British rulers behind the introduction of railways in India was:
Railways enhanced the commercialisation of Indian agriculture; however, it led to which of the following consequences?
When was the last census operation conducted by the British in India?
When did the Bengal famine take place?
When did the first cotton mill, first jute mill and first coal mine start in India?
The introduction of the expensive mode of communication, i.e. telegraph, served the purpose of:
State whether the following statement is True or False: High birth and low death rate implied low survival rate, which was nearly 8 per thousand per annum during the British rule.
State whether the following statement is True or False: Only 17.2 percent of the working population were engaged in the service sector at the time of independence.
State whether the following statement is True or False: Life expectancy was as low as 32 years during the British rule.
State whether the following statement is True or False: Low level of agricultural productivity was the condition of the agriculture sector at the time of independence.
______ is an economist who estimated India's per capita income during the colonial period.
India's working population was engaged in ______ percent in the secondary sector and ______ percent in the tertiary sector during the British rule.
When ______ of a country is more than its ______, it is called export surplus.
______ refers to the number of deaths of children below the age of one year per thousand live births.
______ industries were adversely affected due to partition.
Name some modern industries which were in operation in our country at the time of independence.
Name some notable economists who estimated India's per capita income during the colonial period.
Give the meaning of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What is meant by mortality rate?
Give the meaning of life expectancy at birth.
Mention the most important infrastructure developed during the British period.
What is 'per capita income'?
When was the first railway bridge built in India?
Give one economic challenge before India after winning its independence.
What are capital goods industries?
What do you mean by 'occupational structure'?
Which airlines inaugurated the aviation sector in India?
Define National Income (NI).
What do you understand by subsistence farming?
How did railways help the people when famines occurred during the colonial period?
Explain any three positive contributions made by the British in India.
When was the Suez Canal opened? How did it affect the Indian economy?
Could the British follow an industrial policy beneficial for Britain as well as India? Explain.
What were the main reasons for the slow growth of population during British rule?
What was the state of the various sectors at the time of independence?
'The colonial era was responsible for the decline/ruin of traditional handicraft industries.' Accept or refute the above statement.
Explain the 'Ryotwari' and 'Mahalwari' systems of collecting land revenue prevalent under the British rule.
What was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation effected by the British in pre-independent India?
What were the main motives of the British rulers behind the beginning of the railways in India?
What was the nature of India's foreign trade under the British rule?
Why is the Suez Canal considered to be one of the most important waterways in the world? Explain.
What was the infant mortality rate during the colonial rule? Why was it so high?
What problems were created by the partition of the country?
Analyse the state of roads during the British regime.
Discuss the impact of the decline of the Indian textile industry on the Indian economy.
How did the downfall of the kings of India lead to the downfall of handicraft industries?
'Composition of foreign trade of any country tells us about the nature of commodities that are exported and imported.' What can you state about the composition of foreign trade at the time of Independence?
What is export surplus? How did it prove disadvantageous to India during the British rule?
In the chapter, 'commercialisation of agriculture' has been cited as a reason for the dismal state of farmers at the time of Independence. In the context of the present time, do you think that such a concern over commercialisation of agriculture is justified?
Explain four main causes of India's agricultural stagnation during the colonial period.
Due to its quality, Indian indigo was in great demand in Britain. In 1810, almost 95% of the indigo imported into Britain was from India. Indigo production became a very profitable business and many Britishers became indigo planters. They advanced loans to peasants at a high rate and forced them to cultivate indigo in 25% of their land. They paid a low price for the indigo. As the indigo plant had deep roots, it exhausted the soil fertility and the land was unfit for rice cultivation. Do you think that the above practices of the British were justified?
How did the construction of railways affect the structure of the Indian economy?
Give a quantitative appraisal of India's demographic profile during the colonial period.
Briefly discuss the main features of international trade during the British rule.
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?
Explain the state of industries in India on the eve of Independence.
Briefly discuss the state of infrastructure at the time of Independence.
How was the zamindari system of land settlement responsible for the stagnation of Indian agriculture?
Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.
State any one positive contribution made by the British in India. Also, indicate the volume and direction of foreign trade of India at the time of Independence.
The British had no interest in developing India. Give reasons.
What was the effect of the systematic de-industrialisation policy followed by the British?
Explain any four characteristics of the Indian economy at the eve of independence.
'The restrictive policies under the colonial government adversely affected the structure, composition and volume of India's foreign trade.' Justify the given statement with a valid explanation.
Explain the main objectives and impacts of the land settlement policies implemented under the British government rule.
The traditional handicraft industries were ruined under the British rule. Do you agree with this view? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Highlight the salient features of India's pre-independence occupational structure.
Were there any positive contributions made by the British in India? Discuss.
Give the negative effects of the British rule in India.
Underscore some of India's most crucial economic challenges at the time of independence.
What objectives did the British intend to achieve through their policies of infrastructure development in India?
What was the condition of the agricultural sector at the time of Independence?
What were the main causes of India's agricultural stagnation during the colonial period?
What were the various forms of revenue settlement adopted by the British in India? How far do you think these settlements have a bearing on the current agricultural scenario in India?
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
Indicate the volume and direction of trade at the time of independence.
One of the reasons for the high death rate and low life expectancy at the time of Independence was the frequent outbreak of famines. What were the causes of the outbreak of famines? Do you think that the Britishers were sensitive towards the plight of the starving Indians?
What was the focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India? What were the impacts of these policies?
Read the following statements carefully : Statement 1 : Commercialization of agriculture under the British rule was responsible for frequent famines between 1875 and 1900. Statement 2 : During British rule, India began to export food grains. In light of the given statements, choose the correct alternative from the following :
State and explain the condition of Indian agriculture on the eve of independence.
Which of the following is NOT true about foreign trade during the colonial rule ? (Choose the correct alternative)
From the set of the events given in Column - I and the corresponding year in Column - II, choose the incorrect pair : Alternatives :
Under the British Rule, commercialisation of agriculture resulted in shifting of agricultural production from _______ crops to _______ crops. (Choose the correct alternative to fill up the blanks)
Under the British Rule, commercialisation of agriculture resulted in shifting of agricultural production from ________ crops to ________ crops. (Choose the correct alternative to fill up the blanks)
During the British rule in India, Indian agricultural output witnessed stagnation due to ______. (Choose the correct alternative)
During the British rule in India, Indian agricultural output witnessed stagnation due to ________. (Choose the correct alternative)
Read the following statements carefully : Statement 1 : Under the colonial rule, basic infrastructure (like railways, post and telegraph etc.) was developed. Statement 2 : The real motive behind the infrastructural development in India was to strengthen the British interests. In the light of the given statements, choose the correct alternative from the following :
“During the colonial period, the occupational structure showed lopsided movements.” Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid arguments. Elaborate the reasons owing to which the private sector was regulated under the Industrial Policy Resolution, 1956.
"During the colonial period the agricultural sector showed massive stagnation." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid arguments. Elaborate the reasons owing to which the private sector was regulated under the Industrial Policy Resolution, 1956.
During the British rule, India's foreign trade had various features except ___________. (Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank)
Discuss any two factors that lead to stagnating Indian agriculture sector during British rule. Discuss any two liberalization measures pertaining to the tax reforms, introduced by the government, during the economic reform process of 1991.
During the British rule, India's foreign trade had various features except __________. (Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank)
Read the following statements : Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct alternative from those given below : Assertion (A) : The agricultural sector under the British rule was primarily the base of the sectoral growth of India. Reason (R) : British rulers wanted to take maximum advantage of the Indian agricultural output, for growth of industries in England. Alternatives :
(i) "The real motive behind infrastructural development in India was to strengthen the British interests." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid arguments. (ii) "Navratna policy has facilitated the maintenance, promotion and disinvestment of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)." Justify the given statement with valid explanation. (i) "Every coin has two sides - debate over farm subsidies is one such classic example of the same." Justify the given statement with two arguments each in favour of and against the continuation of the farm subsidies. (ii) State the importance of 'growth with equity' as an objective of Indian economic planning.
Read the following statements : Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct alternative from those given below : Assertion (A) : The agricultural sector under the British rule was primarily the base of the sectoral growth of India. Reason (R) : British rulers wanted to take maximum advantage of the Indian agricultural output, for growth of industries in England.
Under the British Rule, commercialization of agriculture resulted in shifting of agricultural production from ______ crops to ______ crops. (Fill up the Blanks with correct alternative.)
Read the following statements : Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct alternative from those given below : Assertion (A) : India could not develop a sound Industrial-base during the British rule. Reason (R) : Britishers followed restrictive trade policies, which strengthened Indian handicraft industries. Alternatives :
"Opening up of Suez Canal helped in establishing the British monopoly control over India's foreign trade". Justify the given statement with valid arguments. "Development of Railways during British rule encouraged colonial exploitation of the Indian resources." Justify the given statement with valid arguments.
Giving valid reasons, state whether the following statements are true or false. (i) India followed unbalanced growth during the colonial rule. (ii) The economic policies implemented in India between 1950 – 1990's sought to promote regional equality. (iii) India has become a favourable destination of outsourcing, in post 1991 period. (i) Distinguish between : (1) Tariff and non-tariff barriers (2) Bilateral and multilateral trade (ii) "Small-Scale Industries require a shield against large scale industries." In the light of given statement, elaborate the steps initiated by the government in this direction.
Giving valid reasons, state whether the following statements are true or false. (i) There was growth in agricultural sector due to expansion of aggregate area under cultivation, during the colonial era. (ii) The objective of World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to establish a rule based regime, in the world trade. (iii) Economic growth with regional disparity was the main goal of planning in India. (i) Distinguish between : (1) Tariff and non-tariff barriers (2) Bilateral and multilateral trade (ii) "Small-Scale Industries require a shield against large scale industries." In the light of given statement, elaborate the steps initiated by the government in this direction.
"The British introduced many infrastructural development project, which was largely driven by its own self-serving interest". Briefly explain any two main causes behind the infrastructural development undertaken by the colonial government.
Explain, the volume and direction of foreign trade during the British rule.
Read the following statements carefully : Statement 1 : The British policies were accountable for commercialisation of Indian agriculture. Statement 2 : In the larger interest of Indians, the British rulers focused on the infrastructural growth of India. In the light of the given statements, choose the correct option from the following :
"Under the British rule, India underwent systematic economic exploitation with its resources and wealth being diverted to Britain." Justify the given statement with valid explanation. Appraise the Navratan policy adopted by the Government of India in the reforms of 1991.
Read the following statements carefully : Statement 1 : The British policies led to huge employment generation in the secondary and tertiary sectors of the Indian Economy. Statement 2 : The real motive of the colonial government's infrastructural development was to benefit interests of India. In the light of the given statements, choose the correct alternative from the following :
"British colonial rule in India executed a systematic economic exploitation that involved the extraction of India's resources and wealth to benefit Britain." Justify the given statement with valid explanation. "The disinvestment policy of India under the 1991 reforms involved selling of part of the government's stakes in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)." Explain the rationale behind the decision undertaken by the government.
"British colonial rule in India resulted into systematic deindustrialisation of Indian indigenous industries." Explain the two-fold motive of the British with valid arguments. "The trade and investment policy initiated by the Indian Government during 1991 economic reforms involved some major decision-making with respect to local industries." Elaborate any two major decisions and their respective impacts on the Indian economy.
Read the following statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R) carefully. Choose the correct alternative from those given below : Assertion (A) : The year 1921 is called as the Year of Great Divide. Reason (R) : After the year 1921, India experienced a sharp rise in its population growth rate.
"During the British rule, contribution of industrial sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained very low." Justify the given statement with valid arguments in support of your answer. "The real motive behind infrastructural development under the British rule was not to provide basic amenities to the people of India but to subserve various colonial interests." Do you agree with the given statement ? Give valid reasons in support of your answer.
"Many economists believe that India paid a very heavy price for the British industrialisation, by becoming their feeder economy." Justify the given statement with any one valid argument. Critically appraise, infrastructural development in India during the British rule.
"The Indian agricultural sector during the British rule was saddled with low productivity." In the light of the above statement, briefly explain any two reasons behind the low productivity in the Indian agricultural sector. Explain any two salient features of India's foreign trade during the British rule.
Enumerate briefly, the development of the modern industrial sector during the British rule. Explain any two salient features of India's foreign trade during the British rule.
Explain any two demographic indicators which were in a poor state under the British rule. Enumerate and elaborate any two infrastructural developments undertaken by the Britishers that subserved their own colonial interest and did not benefit the Indian economy.
Read the following statements carefully : Statement 1 : During the British rule in India, the export surplus was utilised to import of invisible items from Britain. Statement 2 : Indians paid for the expenses incurred by an office set up by the colonial government in Britain. In the light of above statements, choose the correct option from the following :
State and explain any two changes which were observed in India's occupational structure during the British Rule. "The British sought to achieve their vested interest through their policies of infrastructural development in India." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid explanation.
State and explain any two features which were observed in the demographic profile of India during the British rule. "The British sought to achieve their vested interest through their policies of infrastructural development in India." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid explanation.
"The British sought to achieve their vested interest through their policies of infrastructural development in India." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with valid explanation. Explain any two objectives which British intend to achieve through their policy of infrastructure in India.
_________ estimates India's national and per capita income during the colonial era was considered very significant. (Choose the correct option to fill in the blank)
"The Restrictive policies under the colonial government adversely affected the structure, composition and volume of India's foreign trade." Justify the above statement with valid explanation. Explain the main objectives and impacts of land settlement policies implemented under the British government rule.
________ estimates India's national and per capita income during the colonial era was considered very significant. (Choose the correct option to fill in the blank)
Read the following statements carefully : Statement I : Inland waterways proved to be uneconomical as in the case of Coast Canal on the Orissa coast. Statement II : British government followed an effective and efficient administrative set-up leaving a legacy of effective work culture. In the light of the given statements, choose the correct option from the following :
Study the given image carefully and answer the questions that follow. (A world map showing two shipping routes from London to Mumbai: a 7,200 mile route through Europe, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and a 12,300 mile route around Africa via the Atlantic Ocean.) (i) Identify the artificial waterway during colonial rule that served as a highway between India and Britain. (ii) In which year was this artificial maritime route officially opened for international navigation ? (iii) Describe the economic significance of artificial waterways between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Study the given image carefully and answer the questions that follow. (i) Identify the artificial waterway during colonial rule that served as a highway between India and Britain. (ii) In which year was this artificial maritime route officially opened for international navigation ? (iii) Describe the economic significance of artificial waterways between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
"Infrastructural upliftment of India was one of the key features of the British rule in India." State and discuss any two such developments, in the light of the given statement, with self-serving interests of the British. "In the post-independence era, India adopted a protective tariff policy." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with any two valid arguments.
(i) Explain any two social development indicators prevailing during the colonial period. (ii) Define Tariffs. "In the post-independence era, India adopted a protective tariff policy." Do you agree with the given statement ? Justify your answer with any two valid arguments.
Read the following statements carefully : Statement I : The colonial government had dual objectives behind the systematic deindustrialization of India. Statement II : The British reduced India to a mere importer of raw materials for the its modern industries. In the light of the given statements, choose the correct option from the following :
The export surplus during the colonial rule was used by the Britishers to _________. (i) Bring gold and silver to India (ii) Incur expenses on war (iii) Import invisible items (Choose the correct option to fill in the blank)
From the set of the events given in Column - I and the corresponding year in Column - II, choose the incorrect pair : Alternatives : | Column - I | | Column - II A. | Introduction of railways in India | (i) | 1850 B. | Incorporation of TISCO | (ii) | 1807 C. | First Official Census of India | (iii) | 1881 D. | Opening of Suez Canal | (iv) | 1869