The Battle of Plassey, which took place in 1757, had a profound impact on our nation’s future. It marked the beginning of British colonial rule, which lasted for approximately 200 years.
The British rule can be described as a lengthy period of systematic exploitation by an imperialistic government, who employed a policy of ‘divide and rule’ to maintain control. The British primarily served the interests of England, with any benefits for India being merely incidental, if there were any at all.
As a result, when the British transferred power back to India in 1947, our country inherited a weakened economy. In the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, “India became a passive agent of modem industrial capitalism suffering all its ills and with hardly any of its advantages.”
1.2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE EVE OF INDEPENDENCE
The economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India were more concerned with safeguarding and advancing the economic interests of their home country rather than focusing on the development of the Indian economy. The colonial government never genuinely tried to assess India’s national and per capita income. Some individuals, such as Dadabhai Naoroji, William Digby, Findlay Shirras, V.K.R.V Rao, and R.C. Desai, made attempts to measure national and per capita income.
The first estimation of national income and per capita income was prepared by Dadabhai Naoroji in 1876 for the year 1867-68. It was published in “Poverty and British Rule in India” to shed light on the issues of poverty in India. He estimated the national income to be ? 340 crore and the per capita income to be ? 20 in 1867-68.
The first scientifically calculated estimation was made by Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao for the year 1931-32. He estimated the national income to be ? 1,689 crore and the per capita income to be ? 62.
Practice MCQs Based On The Topic ( Answer Key at the End )
What was the primary focus of the economic policies pursued by the colonial government in India?
a) Safeguarding and advancing India’s economic interests
b) Developing the Indian economy for the welfare of its people
c) Promoting trade and commerce within India
d) Enhancing the agricultural sector in India
Who were some individuals who attempted to measure India’s national and per capita income during the colonial period?
a) V.K.R.V. Rao and R.C. Desai
b) William Digby and Findlay Shirras
c) Dadabhai Naoroji and R.C. Desai
d) Dadabhai Naoroji and V.K.R.V. Rao
In which year did Dadabhai Naoroji prepare the first estimation of India’s national income and per capita income?
a) 1867-68
b) 1876
c) 1931-32
d) 1890
What was the estimated national income as calculated by Dadabhai Naoroji for the year 1867-68?
a) Rs 20 crore
b) Rs 340 crore
c) Rs 62 crore
d) Rs 1,689 crore
Which publication by Dadabhai Naoroji shed light on the issues of poverty in India and included his estimations of national income?
a) Poverty and British Rule in India
b) India’s Economic Realities
c) Colonial Exploitation in India
d) The Plight of Indian Farmers
Who provided the first scientifically calculated estimation of India’s national income for the year 1931-32?
a) Dadabhai Naoroji
b) William Digby
c) Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao
d) Findlay Shirras
What was the estimated national income as calculated by Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao for the year 1931-32?
a) Rs 20 crore
b) Rs 1,689 crore
c) Rs 62 crore
d) Rs 340 crore
Which individual’s estimation of national income aimed to shed light on the issues of poverty in India?
a) William Digby
b) Findlay Shirras
c) Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao
d) Dadabhai Naoroji
How did the colonial government view the importance of assessing India’s national and per capita income?
a) They considered it crucial for the development of India’s economy.
b) They believed it was necessary to address issues of poverty in India.
c) They neglected it, focusing instead on safeguarding their home country’s interests.
d) They saw it as a way to promote trade and commerce within India.
How did the per capita income change from Dadabhai Naoroji’s estimation in 1867-68 to Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao’s estimation in 1931-32?
a) It decreased significantly.
b) It remained the same.
c) It increased substantially.
d) It fluctuated over the years.
Answer Key –
c) Promoting trade and commerce within India
d) Dadabhai Naoroji and V.K.R.V. Rao
b) 1876
b) Rs 340 crore
a) Poverty and British Rule in India
c) Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao
b) Rs 1,689 crore
a) Dadabhai Naoroji
c) They neglected it, focusing instead on safeguarding their home country’s interests.
c) It increased substantially.