the development of transport and communication lead to the growth of population Nationalism in India
Answers
Means of transport refer to the ways and modes by which people and commodities are moved from one place to another. On the other hand, means of communication refers to the ways in which news and messages get transmitted from one place to another. The development of means of communication and transport is considered to be an important hallmark of any modern civilization. The modern means of transport which were developed during the British rule include railways, roadways, shipping, and airways. Modern communication networks which were introduced by the British include posts and telegraphs.
Development of Means of Communication and Transport
In the pre-colonial period
Prior to the British Rule, the means of communication and transport which had existed in India were relatively backward. There were no modern rail or road networks which connected important industrial and commercial centres located far apart. The network of communication was also backward and unreliable.
A major reason for such backwardness was the self-sufficient nature of village economy prior to the colonial times. Villages were self-contained, producing enough to meet the day-to-day needs of their inhabitants and hence there no need to search for advanced modes of communication and transport. Bullock carts, pack-horses, donkeys and other such animal driven modes were used to transport goods on land. Along the river basins and in coastal areas, crude boats and their accessories were used. There was little awareness regarding steam engines and navigation canals.
Development under British Rule
The English East India Company was initially a commercial entity which had confined its activities to coastal areas. Post Battle of Plassey, the Company began its territorial expansion and a need was felt for development of modern means of communication and transport. The following were the reasons: