Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes
Key Definitions & Terms
60+ Questions & Answers
Key Concepts
Introduction
Low Level of Economic Development
Agricultural Sector
Industrial Sector
Foreign Trade
Demographic Condition
Occupational Structure
Infrastructure
Interactive Quiz (20 Q)
Quick Revision Notes & Mnemonics
Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence Class 11 NCERT
Overview & Key Concepts
Chapter Goal : Familiarize with pre-independence Indian economy; factors leading to underdevelopment/stagnation. Exam Focus: Colonial policies, agricultural stagnation, de-industrialisation, foreign trade patterns, demographic profile, occupational structure, infrastructure motives. 2025 Updates: Contemporary comparisons with post-independence growth. Fun Fact: Suez Canal reduced India-Britain distance but intensified exploitation. Core Idea: Colonial rule reduced India to raw material supplier and market for British goods. Real-World: Zamindari abolition impacts. Ties: To development planning chapters.Wider Scope : Drain theory, poverty causes.
Introduction
Economy pre-independence: Roots in British rule (200 years); exploitative—raw materials for Britain, market for finished goods. Depth: Post-independence strategy shaped by this. Real-Life: Handicraft decline. Exam Tip: Motives highlight. Extended: Independent economy before British. Graphs: None. Historical: 15 Aug 1947 independence. NCERT: Understand past for present/future.
Examples: Textile fame, muslin.
Point: Structure changed.
Extended: Viceroy quote on importance. Errors: Development? No. Scope: Colonial period. Principles: Exploitation. Real: Stagnation. Additional: Estimators like Rao. Depth: Low growth. Interlinks: Sectors. Advanced: Per capita income. Symbols: Railways.
Low Level of Economic Development under Colonial Rule
Independent pre-British; handicrafts famous. Policies protected British interests; transformed to supplier/importer. Depth: No sincere income estimates; conflicting—Rao significant. Real-Life: <2% growth, 0.5% per capita. Exam Tip: Estimators list. Extended: Conflicting results. Graphs: None. Historical: First half 20th century. NCERT: Stagnation.
Examples: Naoroji, Digby, Shirras, Desai.
Point: Aggregate output low.
Extended: Manufacturing activities. Errors: Independent? Changed. Scope: Colonial. Principles: Protectionism. Real: Underdevelopment. Additional: Bengal textiles. Depth: Worldwide market. Interlinks: Agriculture. Advanced: Per capita meagre. Symbols: None.
Agricultural Sector
85% population agrarian; stagnation/deterioration. Low productivity; some growth from area expansion. Depth: Land systems—zamindari profit to landlords, not cultivators. Real-Life: Misery/tension. Exam Tip: Causes list. Extended: Cash crops shift. Graphs: None. Historical: 17th century prosperity. NCERT: Investment starved.
Examples: Low tech, no irrigation, no fertilisers.
Point: Commercialisation limited help.
Extended: Revenue dates fixed. Errors: Progress? Dismal. Scope: Villages. Principles: Stagnation. Real: Famines. Additional: Terracing lack. Depth: Surplus labour. Interlinks: Industry. Advanced: Yield variations. Symbols: None.
Industrial Sector
No sound base; handicrafts declined, no modern replacement. Motive: Exporter raw, importer finished. Depth: Unemployment, demand met by imports. Real-Life: Slow progress—cotton/jute mills. Exam Tip: Drawbacks. Extended: Public sector limited. Graphs: None. Historical: TISCO 1907. NCERT: Capital goods absent.
Examples: Iron/steel post-WWII, sugar/cement.
Point: Contribution small.
Extended: Displacement wholesale. Errors: Industrialisation? Slow. Scope: Factories. Principles: De-industrialisation. Real: Unemployment. Additional: Departmental undertakings. Depth: GDP low. Interlinks: Trade. Advanced: Area limited. Symbols: None.
Foreign Trade
Important since ancient; restrictive policies. Exporter primary, importer finished. Depth: Britain monopoly; >50% trade. Real-Life: Export surplus no gold inflow—drain. Exam Tip: Characteristics. Extended: Suez intensified control. Graphs: None. Historical: 1869 Suez. NCERT: Adverse effect.
Examples: Raw silk/cotton, machinery/clothes.
Point: Payments for British expenses.
Extended: China/Ceylon/Persia. Errors: Benefits? No. Scope: Global. Principles: Monopoly. Real: Wealth drain. Additional: Commodities scarce. Depth: Composition change. Interlinks: Infrastructure. Advanced: Surplus cost. Symbols: Canal.
Demographic Condition
Census 1881 first; uneven growth. Pre-1921 stage 1; post stage 2. Depth: Low literacy (16%, female 7%); high mortality (218 infant, 32 life). Real-Life: Poverty extensive. Exam Tip: Indicators. Extended: Diseases rampant. Graphs: None. Historical: 1921 transition. NCERT: Not encouraging.
Examples: Water/air-borne diseases.
Point: Facilities inadequate.
Extended: No reliable poverty data. Errors: High growth? No. Scope: Population. Principles: Transition. Real: Famines. Additional: Limitations. Depth: Mortality alarming. Interlinks: Occupation. Advanced: Expectancy low. Symbols: None.
Occupational Structure
Little change; agriculture 70-75%, manufacturing 10%, services 15-20%. Depth: Regional variation—decline agriculture in some, increase others. Real-Life: Madras/Bombay/Bengal shift. Exam Tip: Striking aspects. Extended: Orissa/Rajasthan/Punjab increase. Graphs: None. Historical: Pre-independence. NCERT: Growing variation.
Examples: Increase manufacturing/services some areas.
Point: No sign change.
Extended: Dependence high. Errors: Balanced? No. Scope: Workforce. Principles: Stagnation. Real: Rural focus. Additional: Pie chart activity. Depth: Distribution. Interlinks: Infrastructure. Advanced: Regional. Symbols: None.
Infrastructure
Developed—railways/ports/telegraphs; motive colonial interests. Depth: Roads for army/raw materials; railways broke barriers but commercialised agriculture. Real-Life: Social benefits outweighed loss. Exam Tip: Measures appraise. Extended: Inland waterways uneconomical. Graphs: None. Historical: 1850 railways. NCERT: Selfish motives.
Examples: Suez Canal, Coast Canal abandoned.
Point: Postal inadequate.
Extended: Telegraph for law/order. Errors: Beneficial? Spiced selfish. Scope: Basic. Principles: Subserve. Real: Shortage all-weather. Additional: Aviation 1932. Depth: Expansion public? No. Interlinks: All. Advanced: Economic loss. Symbols: Bridge 1854.
Conclusion
Impact visible—all aspects affected. Agriculture surplus labour/low productivity; industry modernisation need; trade Britain-oriented; infrastructure upgradation. Depth: Poverty/unemployment welfare need; challenges enormous. Real-Life: Built on base post-independence. Exam Tip: Challenges underscore. Extended: Planning built. Graphs: None. Historical: Independence time. NCERT: Social/economic challenges.
Examples: Public investment increase.
Point: Enormous challenges.
Extended: Drain wealth. Errors: Positive? Limited. Scope: Pre-independence. Principles: Orientation. Real: Pauperised. Additional: Activities. Depth: Profile worsening. Interlinks: All. Advanced: Planning need. Symbols: None.
Summary
Colonial exploitation: Low development, stagnation agriculture/industry, trade surplus drain, poor demographics, unchanging occupation, infrastructure selfish.
Why This Guide Stands Out
Complete: All subtopics, examples, Q&A, quiz. Economics-focused. Free 2025.
Key Themes & Tips
Aspects : Exploitation, stagnation, de-industrialisation, drain.Thinkers : Naoroji, Rao.Tip: Colonial motives explain; sectors analyze; positive/negative discuss; comparisons make.
Exam Case Studies
Zamindari, TISCO, Suez, famines, census.
Project & Group Ideas
Debate British benefits.
Map industries/ports.
Key Definitions & Terms - Complete Glossary
All terms from chapter; detailed with examples, relevance. Expanded: 20+ terms.
Colonial Rule
British domination 200 years. Relevance: Exploitation. Ex: Raw supplier. Depth: Policies.
Handicraft Industries
Pre-British manufacturing. Relevance: Decline. Ex: Textiles. Depth: Worldwide fame.
De-industrialisation
Handicrafts ruin no replacement. Relevance: Unemployment. Ex: Imports cheap. Depth: Systematic.
Zamindari System
Land settlement profit landlords. Relevance: Stagnation. Ex: Rent collection. Depth: Misery.
Commercialisation of Agriculture
Cash crops shift. Relevance: Limited help. Ex: Yield higher some. Depth: Food to commercial.
Capital Goods Industry
Machine tools producers. Relevance: Absent. Ex: None colonial. Depth: Further industrialisation.
Export Surplus
Exports > imports. Relevance: No inflow. Ex: Drain payments. Depth: Huge cost.
Demographic Transition
Stages population change. Relevance: Stage 2 post-1921. Ex: Growth uneven. Depth: Mortality high.
Infant Mortality Rate
Deaths per 1000 births. Relevance: Alarming 218. Ex: Now 28. Depth: Health poor.
Life Expectancy
Average years lived. Relevance: Low 32. Ex: Now 69. Depth: Diseases.
Occupational Structure
Workforce distribution. Relevance: Little change. Ex: Agriculture 70-75%. Depth: Regional variation.
Infrastructure
Railways/ports etc. Relevance: Colonial motives. Ex: Army/raw. Depth: Selfish.
Suez Canal
Waterway 1869. Relevance: Intensified control. Ex: Cost reduced. Depth: Trade route.
Drain of Wealth
Surplus used British. Relevance: No gold. Ex: Office/war/invisible. Depth: Pauperised.
TISCO
Tata Iron Steel 1907. Relevance: Early industry. Ex: Iron/steel. Depth: Limited.
Muslin
Bengal cotton textile. Relevance: Fame. Ex: Daccai. Depth: Royalty fit.
Per Capita Income
Output per person. Relevance: Meagre 0.5%. Ex: Rao estimates. Depth: Conflicting.
Literacy Level
Overall 16%, female 7%. Relevance: Low. Ex: Not encouraging. Depth: Social indicators.
Gross Domestic Product
Total output value. Relevance: Small contribution. Ex: Industrial low. Depth: Aggregate <2%.
Monopoly Control
Britain over trade. Relevance: >50%. Ex: Exports/imports. Depth: Restricted.
Tip: Memorize sectors impacts; estimators; demographic indicators; trade characteristics. Depth: Motives. Applications: India. Errors: Positive development? Exploitative. Historical: Periods. Interlinks: Planning. Advanced: Drain theory. Real-Life: Famines. Graphs: None. Symbols: Railways. Coherent: Stagnation.
Additional: Land systems. Regional variations. Rational debates.
60+ Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 11)
Part A (1 mark short), B (4 marks medium), C (8 marks long). Based on NCERT, exercises.
Part A: 1 Mark Questions
1. What was the purpose of British colonial rule in India?
1 Mark Answer: Raw material supplier for Britain.
2. Name one famous handicraft industry pre-British.
1 Mark Answer: Cotton textiles.
3. Who estimated India's per capita income significantly?
1 Mark Answer: V.K.R.V. Rao.
4. What % population agrarian colonial?
1 Mark Answer: 85%.
5. Name land system caused stagnation.
1 Mark Answer: Zamindari.
6. Give de-industrialisation motive.
1 Mark Answer: Market for British goods.
7. When TISCO incorporated?
1 Mark Answer: 1907.
8. What was export surplus?
1 Mark Answer: Exports > imports.
9. When first census?
1 Mark Answer: 1881.
10. What was infant mortality?
1 Mark Answer: 218 per 1000.
11. Agriculture workforce %?
1 Mark Answer: 70-75%.
12. When railways introduced?
1 Mark Answer: 1850.
13. What was Suez Canal?
1 Mark Answer: Trade route 1869.
14. Give drain example.
1 Mark Answer: British office expenses.
15. Literacy overall?
1 Mark Answer: 16%.
16. Female literacy?
1 Mark Answer: 7%.
17. Life expectancy?
1 Mark Answer: 32 years.
18. Manufacturing %?
1 Mark Answer: 10%.
19. Services %?
1 Mark Answer: 15-20%.
20. Infrastructure motive?
1 Mark Answer: Colonial interests.
Part B: 4 Marks Questions
1. Explain colonial economic policies impact.
4 Marks Answer: Protected British; transformed India supplier raw/importer finished. Low growth <2%, per capita 0.5%. Stagnation/underdevelopment.
2. Describe pre-British economy.
4 Marks Answer: Independent; agriculture main but manufacturing—handicrafts cotton/silk/metal. Worldwide market; fine quality/craftsmanship.
3. What were income estimates?
4 Marks Answer: No government; individuals Naoroji/Digby/Shirras/Rao/Desai conflicting. Rao significant; aggregate <2%, per capita 0.5%.
4. Explain agricultural stagnation causes.
4 Marks Answer: Land systems zamindari profit landlords; low tech/irrigation/fertilisers; investment starved; commercialisation limited.
5. Describe de-industrialisation.
4 Marks Answer: Handicrafts decline no modern base; exporter raw/importer finished. Unemployment; demand met imports.
6. What was industrial progress?
4 Marks Answer: Slow; cotton/jute mills; iron/steel post-WWII; sugar/cement/paper. Capital goods absent; public limited.
7. Explain foreign trade characteristics.
4 Marks Answer: Primary exporter/finished importer; Britain monopoly >50%; export surplus no gold—drain.
8. Describe demographic profile.
4 Marks Answer: Census 1881; pre-1921 stage 1, post stage 2. Literacy 16%/female 7%; mortality high 218 infant/32 life.
9. What was occupational structure?
4 Marks Answer: Little change; agriculture 70-75%, manufacturing 10%, services 15-20%. Regional variation.
10. Explain infrastructure development motives.
4 Marks Answer: Colonial—army/raw materials. Roads unfit; railways commercialised agriculture; waterways uneconomical.
11. What was drain of wealth?
4 Marks Answer: Export surplus used British expenses/office/war/invisible. No gold/silver inflow; commodities scarce.
12. Describe railways impacts.
4 Marks Answer: Long travel/barriers broke; agriculture commercialised. Economic loss outweighed social benefits.
13. What were positive contributions?
4 Marks Answer: Infrastructure railways/ports; but selfish. Base for post-independence building.
14. Explain poverty extent.
4 Marks Answer: Extensive; no reliable data but contributed worsening population profile. Calamities/famines.
15. Describe Suez Canal role.
4 Marks Answer: 1869; reduced cost/access Indian market. Intensified British control trade.
16. What was capital goods absence impact?
4 Marks Answer: No further industrialisation; produce machine tools for consumption articles.
17. Explain regional occupational variation.
4 Marks Answer: Decline agriculture Madras/Bombay/Bengal; increase Orissa/Rajasthan/Punjab.
18. What was commercialisation effect?
4 Marks Answer: Cash crops higher yield some; but hardly improved economic condition. Food to commercial.
19. Describe telegraph/postal.
4 Marks Answer: Telegraph law/order; postal useful but inadequate.
20. What challenges at independence?
4 Marks Answer: Agriculture productivity; industry modernisation; trade reorientation; infrastructure public; poverty/unemployment welfare.
Part C: 8 Marks Questions
1. Discuss colonial economic policies and impacts.
8 Marks Answer: Protection British interests; India raw supplier/finished importer. Low development: Aggregate <2%, per capita 0.5%. Stagnation agriculture/industry; de-industrialisation unemployment; trade surplus drain; poor demographics high mortality/low literacy; occupation unchanging; infrastructure selfish.
2. Analyze pre-British vs colonial economy.
8 Marks Answer: Pre: Independent agriculture main but handicrafts cotton/silk/metal worldwide. Colonial: Structure changed; policies exploitative no sincere estimates. Rao significant; conflicting Naoroji etc. Underdevelopment/stagnation.
3. Examine agricultural sector under colonial rule.
8 Marks Answer: 85% population; stagnation low productivity. Causes: Zamindari profit landlords; low tech/irrigation/fertilisers; investment lack. Commercialisation cash crops; some growth area expansion but misery/tension.
4. Discuss de-industrialisation and industrial sector.
8 Marks Answer: Handicrafts decline no modern; motive exporter raw/importer finished. Unemployment; demand imports. Progress slow: Cotton/jute mills western; iron/steel TISCO 1907; sugar/cement/paper post-WWII. Capital goods absent; public limited railways/power.
5. Analyze foreign trade during colonial period.
8 Marks Answer: Restrictive; primary exporter/finished importer. Britain monopoly >50%; others China/Ceylon/Persia. Export surplus no gold—drain office/war/invisible. Suez 1869 intensified. Commodities scarce domestic.
6. Examine demographic condition pre-independence.
8 Marks Answer: Census 1881; uneven growth pre-1921 stage 1, post stage 2 low. Literacy 16%/female 7%; mortality high 218 infant/32 life expectancy. Diseases rampant; facilities inadequate; poverty extensive calamities/famines.
7. Discuss occupational structure.
8 Marks Answer: Little change; agriculture 70-75%, manufacturing 10%, services 15-20%. Regional: Decline agriculture Madras/Bombay/Bengal increase manufacturing/services; increase Orissa/Rajasthan/Punjab.
8. Analyze infrastructure development and motives.
8 Marks Answer: Railways 1850/ports/telegraphs/posts/water; motive colonial army/raw. Roads unfit modern; railways travel/barriers but commercialised agriculture loss > benefits. Waterways uneconomical; telegraph law/order; postal inadequate.
9. Examine positive contributions of British.
8 Marks Answer: Infrastructure railways/ports base post-independence; but selfish motives subserve interests. Debate beneficial? Exploitative overall.
10. Discuss economic challenges at independence.
8 Marks Answer: Agriculture surplus labour/low productivity; industry diversification/capacity/public investment; trade reorientation; infrastructure expansion/public; poverty/unemployment welfare; social/economic enormous.
11. Analyze drain of wealth theory.
8 Marks Answer: Export surplus used British payments no inflow gold/silver. Commodities scarce; wealth drain pauperised people.
12. Examine land settlement systems impact.
8 Marks Answer: Zamindari profit landlords not cultivators; fixed revenue dates; nothing improve agriculture. Misery/tension; stagnation.
13. Discuss commercialisation of agriculture effects.
8 Marks Answer: Food to cash crops; higher yield some but hardly improved condition. Used British industries; self-sufficiency affected.
14. Analyze railways social/economic impacts.
8 Marks Answer: Long travel/cultural barriers broke; agriculture commercialised. But economic loss huge; outweighed benefits.
15. Examine demographic transition stages.
8 Marks Answer: Pre-1921 stage 1 low growth; post stage 2. Population not high; rate low. Indicators poor literacy/mortality.
16. Discuss regional variations in occupation.
8 Marks Answer: Decline agriculture/increase manufacturing/services Madras/Bombay/Bengal; increase agriculture Orissa/Rajasthan/Punjab.
17. Analyze Suez Canal role in trade.
8 Marks Answer: 1869; direct route reduced cost; intensified British control/access market.
18. Examine capital goods industry absence.
8 Marks Answer: No machine tools for articles; further industrialisation hindered. GDP contribution small.
19. Discuss poverty and famines.
8 Marks Answer: Extensive; no data but worsened profile. Calamities/diseases toll high; facilities inadequate.
20. Analyze pre-independence infrastructure shortfalls.
8 Marks Answer: Roads shortage all-weather; waterways uneconomical; postal inadequate; telegraph law/order not public.
Tip: Relate motives impacts; sectors examples; positive debate; challenges discuss.
Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration
Core ideas with examples, pitfalls, interlinks.
Colonial Exploitation
Policies British interests. Deriv: Underdevelopment. Pitfall: Positive? Selfish. Ex: Raw supplier. Interlink: Sectors.
De-industrialisation
Handicrafts decline. Deriv: Unemployment. Pitfall: Modern? Slow. Ex: Imports. Interlink: Trade.
Agricultural Stagnation
Low productivity. Deriv: Systems. Pitfall: Growth? Area only. Ex: Zamindari. Interlink: Commercialisation.
Export Surplus
No inflow. Deriv: Drain. Pitfall: Benefits? No. Ex: Payments. Interlink: Infrastructure.
Demographic Transition
Stage 2 post-1921. Deriv: Mortality high. Pitfall: Growth high? Low. Ex: Literacy low. Interlink: Poverty.
Occupational Structure
Agriculture dominant. Deriv: Unchanging. Pitfall: Balanced? No. Ex: Regional. Interlink: Industry.
Infrastructure Motives
Colonial. Deriv: Selfish. Pitfall: Beneficial? Outweighed loss. Ex: Railways. Interlink: Trade.
Drain of Wealth
Surplus used. Deriv: Pauperised. Pitfall: Inflow? No. Ex: Invisible. Interlink: Surplus.
Advanced: Estimates analyze. Pitfalls: Perceptions. Interlinks: Planning. Real: Famines. Depth: Motives. Examples: Daily. Graphs: None. Errors: Development. Tips: Compare pre/post; debate use.
Extended: Rational skills. Pitfalls: Biases. Common: Exploitation. Principles: Systematic. Advanced: Rao method. Coherent: Contexts.
Introduction - Detailed Guide
Roots, purpose, structure change (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Roots
British 200 years. Deriv: Exploitation. Ex: Raw/market. Depth: Strategy shaped.
Purpose
Reduce to supplier. Deriv: Policies. Ex: Viceroy quote. Depth: Understand past.
Structure
Changed fundamental. Deriv: Independent pre. Ex: Handicrafts. Depth: Present roots.
Tip: Motives explain. Depth: Impacts. Examples: Muslin. Graphs: None. Advanced: Post-independence.
Principles: Exploitation. Errors: Definitions. Real: Stagnation.
Extended: Seven decades. Numerical: None.
Low Level of Economic Development - Detailed Guide
Pre-British, policies, estimates (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Pre-British
Independent manufacturing. Deriv: Agriculture main. Ex: Textiles fame. Depth: Quality.
Policies
British protection. Deriv: Change structure. Ex: Supplier/importer. Depth: No estimates.
Estimates
Conflicting Naoroji etc.; Rao significant. Deriv: Low growth. Ex: <2% aggregate.
Tip: Estimators list. Depth: Conflicting. Examples: Digby. Graphs: None. Advanced: Per capita.
Principles: Underdevelopment. Errors: Sincere? No. Real: Stagnation.
Extended: Half century. Numerical: 0.5%.
Agricultural Sector - Detailed Guide
Population, stagnation, causes (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Population
85% livelihood. Deriv: Villages. Ex: Prosperity 17th. Depth: Fundamental agrarian.
Stagnation
Low productivity. Deriv: Deterioration. Ex: Growth area. Depth: Unusual.
Causes
Zamindari; low tech. Deriv: Investment starved. Ex: Irrigation lack. Depth: Misery.
Tip: Systems explain. Depth: Commercialisation. Examples: Cash crops. Graphs: None. Advanced: Yield.
Principles: Stagnation. Errors: Progress? Limited. Real: Famines.
Extended: Revenue terms. Numerical: None.
Industrial Sector - Detailed Guide
Base lack, de-industrialisation, progress (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Base Lack
No sound. Deriv: Handicrafts decline. Ex: No replacement. Depth: Motive two-fold.
De-industrialisation
Systematic. Deriv: Unemployment. Ex: Demand imports. Depth: Market sprawling.
Progress
Slow 19th. Deriv: Mills cotton/jute. Ex: TISCO. Depth: Capital absent.
Tip: Drawbacks appraise. Depth: Public limited. Examples: Sugar. Graphs: None. Advanced: Contribution small.
Principles: De-industrialisation. Errors: Modern? Confined. Real: Unemployment.
Extended: Areas western. Numerical: None.
Foreign Trade - Detailed Guide
Important, restrictive, surplus (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Important
Ancient times. Deriv: Nation trading. Ex: Policies adverse. Depth: Structure affected.
Restrictive
Primary exporter/finished importer. Deriv: Britain monopoly. Ex: >50%. Depth: Others few.
Surplus
Export large. Deriv: No gold. Ex: Drain. Depth: Cost huge.
Tip: Direction volume. Depth: Suez. Examples: Raw silk. Graphs: None. Advanced: Characteristic generation.
Principles: Monopoly. Errors: Benefits? No. Real: Scarcity.
Extended: Invisible. Numerical: None.
Demographic Condition - Detailed Guide
Census, transition, indicators (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Census
1881 first. Deriv: Uneven. Ex: Limitations. Depth: Collected every 10.
Transition
Pre-1921 stage 1; post 2. Deriv: Low growth. Ex: Not high. Depth: Rate low.
Indicators
Literacy 16%/7%; mortality 218/32. Deriv: Facilities inadequate. Ex: Diseases. Depth: Poverty extensive.
Tip: Profile quantitative. Depth: Not encouraging. Examples: Famines. Graphs: None. Advanced: Toll huge.
Principles: Transition. Errors: High? No. Real: Suffered.
Extended: Data absence. Numerical: 218/32.
Occupational Structure - Detailed Guide
Change little, distribution, variation (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Change Little
Showed not. Deriv: Sign lack. Ex: Agriculture high. Depth: Across industries.
Distribution
Agriculture 70-75%; manufacturing 10%; services 15-20%. Deriv: Largest share.
Variation
Growing regional. Deriv: Decline some. Ex: Madras increase manufacturing. Depth: Increase others agriculture.
Tip: Salient features. Depth: Dependence. Examples: Punjab. Graphs: None. Advanced: Commensurate.
Principles: Unchanging. Errors: Change? Little. Real: Rural.
Extended: Pie chart. Numerical: %.
Infrastructure - Detailed Guide
Developed, motives, shortfalls (sim 4+ pages equiv).
Developed
Railways/ports/telegraphs. Deriv: Regime colonial. Ex: Basic. Depth: Amenities not.
Motives
Subserve interests. Deriv: Selfish. Ex: Army/raw. Depth: Roads mobilising.
Shortfalls
All-weather shortage; waterways uneconomical; postal inadequate. Deriv: Unsatisfactory. Ex: Canal abandoned.
Tip: Appraise shortfalls. Depth: Railways impacts. Examples: Telegraph. Graphs: None. Advanced: Outweighed.
Principles: Colonial. Errors: Beneficial? Spiced. Real: Calamities.
Extended: Aviation. Numerical: None.
Interactive Quiz - Master Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence
20 MCQs; 85%+ goal. Colonial policies, sectors, trade, demographics.
Start Quiz
Quick Revision Notes & Mnemonics
Introduction
Exploitative; raw/market; structure roots.
Low Level
Pre independent; policies protection; estimates low.
Agricultural
85%; stagnation zamindari/low tech.
Industrial
De-industrialisation; slow progress no capital.
Foreign Trade
Primary exporter; surplus drain; monopoly.
Demographic
Transition 1921; low literacy/high mortality.
Occupational
Agriculture dominant; little change regional variation.
Infrastructure
Developed selfish; railways impacts; shortfalls.
Mnemonics: Sectors "Agriculture Industry Trade Demographic Occupation Infrastructure" (AITDOI). Policies "Protection British Exploitation" (PBE). Estimates "Naoroji Digby Shirras Rao Desai" (NDSRD). Challenges "Productivity Modernisation Reorientation Expansion Welfare" (PMREW).
Tip: Motives explain; impacts analyze; positive discuss; comparisons pre/post.
