What was the state of the various sectors at the time of independence?

Question

Accepted Answer

At the time of independence, all the sectors of the Indian economy were in a poor state:

1. The agricultural sector suffered from stagnation and deterioration, despite the largest section of the Indian population being dependent on it for sustenance. Agricultural productivity was very low, and the sector was plagued by famines.

2. British rule had led to the collapse of India's world-famous handicraft industries, without contributing to their replacement by a modern industrial base. Modern industries were few and confined to cotton textiles, jute, iron and steel and a few other areas.

3. Lack of essential services like education, health and housing resulted in a high mortality rate, low literacy and a poor standard of living for the masses.