Question

Describe briefly the history of modern industrial development in India.

Answer 1

• Modern industrial development began in the colonial period. Industrialisation started in mid-19^th century with the expansion of railways that linked different cities.
  
• As there was plentiful cheap labour and raw material could be transported through railways it was easy to establish industries.
  
• After 1850s cotton mills were established in Mumbai by Indian entrepreneurs and British owned jute mills were established in the outskirts of Kolkata. This marked the beginning of modern industrial development.
  
• Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai were raw material suppliers and two proper industrial cities were Kanpur with wool, leather and cotton textile industry and Jamshedpur with steel industries.
  
• But this did not signify any dramatic increase in country's economy due to discriminatory policies by British.
  
• Industries flourished after independence and introduction of neoliberal policies could enable private sectors to efficiently contribute to the industrial development.