Impact of british rule on indian economy..society insight secure
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Britishers ruled India for 200 years and made deep impact on almost every aspect of Indian life including political, economic, social and cultural dimensions. One of the most important and conspicuous impact was on the economic front on India.
Even though there were some important positive contributions like construction of
railways, telegraph, development of modern industry which happened only in second half of 19 century and rise of Indian Capitalist Class, most of the impacts had deep adverse and negative impact. Some of the important among them include:
* Deliberate Deindustrialization—Ruin of Artisans and Handicraftsmen
* Impoverishment of Peasantry, Pauperization of Industrial Labourers
* Emergence of repressive New Land Relations , Commercialisation of Indian Agriculture
* Stagnation and Deterioration of Agriculture
* Economic Drain. Famine and Poverty
Some of the enduring legacies include :
* Administrative and Judicial System, primary among them is Indian Civil Services
* Infrastructure — Primary among which includes Railways
* Institutionalization of Law and Order which includes important acts like Indian Police Act and Indian Penal Code
* Westernised System of Education
Even though some of the legacies like Infrastructure, System of Education have aided in Indian development, most of them were undertaken with an attempt to serve British interests. As B.G. Tilak famously quoted with respect to Railways that 'It's was like decorating some one's else's wife'.
However, the most important enduring legacy of Britishers is 'Colonial Mentality' which has continued to impede India's development and identity.