UPSC Mains 2017 · GS I · Q12 · 15 marks · 250 words

Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.

हिन्दी में

परीक्षण कीजिए कि औपनिवेशिक भारत में पारम्परिक कारीगरी उद्योग के पतन ने किस प्रकार ग्रामीण अर्थव्यवस्था को अपंग बना दिया ।

How a topper answered it

Aditi VarshneyAIR 57 · CSE 2022 · 189 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

British policies during the colonial India led to the de-industrialisation of the budding & traditional Industries alike which ultimately led to the crippling of the rural economy.

Body · points

(1) British annexations of princely states and overthrowing kings and emptying their treasury had a direct impact on the artisans who were patronised by the kings.

(2) As they became unemployed → tended to move to Agriculture, leading to increasing stress on land.

(3) British made the farmers & peasants grow cash crops - like cotton, indigo & tobacco which led to crippling of Agriculture economy, degradation of land, famine like conditions.

(4) Traditional mills & cottage industries - guilds were destroyed with the inflow of cheap British factory made goods → leading to their destruction.

(5) The proto Industrialisation process in the form of "Dadhni system" (parallel of "putting out" system of Britain) too was destroyed by British.

(6) Revenue policies like Zamindari system, Ryotwari etc - only aimed at maximising revenue, leaving very little for agricultural development -

Close · a summary

All the above policies systematically led to the de-industrialisation of Indian rural economy which could otherwise have evolved in a better way.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Q12. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.