Question

Discuss the trade in India post independence.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Establish the context by giving the 2 different types of trade.
• Detail the external trade.
• Give notes on the internal trade and the centres of trade.

Solution:
The trade industry can be discussed in 2 categories,foreign trade and internal trade.

• When planning started in 1951, the import of industrial goods and raw material required for production increased, India’s imports included machines, iron, mineral oil, fertilisers, medicines, etc.
• India also gave impetus to exports after independence in order to gain valuable foreign exchange. India’s exports included tea, coffee, spices, cotton textiles, leather, footwear, pearls, precious stones, etc.
• India’s internal trade takes place via railways, waterways, roads, airways, etc.
• Commodities like coal, cotton, cotton textiles, rice, wheat, raw jute, iron, steel, oilseeds, salt, sugar, etc. are included in internal trade.
• Ports like Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin and Chennai are important.