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What to Study: What is a colonial economy? Understand how British rule differed from earlier invaders in its effect on the economy, including the idea of tribute. Also remember, in approximate terms, how far India's share of the world economy fell between the early 18th century and independence.
Asked in UPSC PrelimsUPSC 2020
What to Study: Remember the Charter Act of 1813 and what it allowed British citizens. Understand why Indian textiles lost their European markets, and how tariffs and the closure of those markets after 1820 played a part. How did India's trade position change, and how did the railways help British goods reach inland areas?
What to Study: Why did the loss of traditional crafts amount to deindustrialisation, when Europe was industrialising at the same time? Be able to explain this contrast. Remember also the earlier loss of support from princes and nobles, and the change in their tastes.
What to Study: Understand what happened to cities and artisans as crafts declined. Remember the Company's policies towards artisans in Bengal. You should be able to explain how this shift to farming became a cause of poverty.
What to Study: Who spoke of the "bones of cotton weavers" and who spoke of the steel rail piercing the village? Remember the two remarks. Remember also Shashi Tharoor's view in An Era of Darkness on the fall in India's manufacturing exports and on whether deindustrialisation was deliberate.