education also helped women to come forward and take active part in the
How did the development of transport and communication lead to the growth of
Before the development of transport and communication Indians lived in isolated pockets.
spread of western education, the condition of women im
struggle movement.
nationalism in India?
the British
Answers
Answer:
a) Economic Exploitation of India: The economic discontent of different sections of Indian society was as follows:
i) The peasants: The government took away a large part of their produce in the form of land revenue and other taxes. These heavy taxes led the peasants into the clutches of landlords and moneylenders.
ii) The artisans and craftsmen: The English East India Company used its political power to destroy Indian handicrafts and industry. India became a source of raw materials and a market to sell finished goods for the Britishers. This policy crippled the artisans and craftsmen as they were deprived of their income.
iii) The working class: The growth of modern industries led to the birth of a new class in the society in India-the working class. They were exploited by the factory owners, who were generally Britishers.
iv) The educated Indians: The only job available to them was government service in which competition was high and chances of promotion were bleak.
(b) Development of means of transport and communication: In order to economically exploit the Indians, for their administrative convenience and military defence the British developed modern means of transport and communication. Roads were constructed. Th first railway line connecting Mumbai to Thane was laid down in 1853. Besides encouraging trade and commerce, the railways facilitated the growth of nationalism.
(c) Influence of Western education: Western education proved beneficial for the Indians as we came across modern western ideas of democracy and nationalism. This gave a new direction to Indian political thinking and to national awakening. Through the study of European history, political thought and economic ideas, educated Indians had an access to the ideals of liberty, nationality, equality, rule of law and self-government.