Question

With reference to the rise of Indian National Movement, explain the relevance of each of the following:
(a) Economic Exploitation of India.
(b) Development of means of transport and communication.
(c) Influence of Western education.

Answer 1

a) Economic Exploitation of India: The economic discontent of different sections of Indian society was as follows:

i) The peasants: The government took away a large part of their produce in the form of land revenue and other taxes. These heavy taxes led the peasants into the clutches of landlords and moneylenders.

ii) The artisans and craftsmen: The English East India Company used its political power to destroy Indian handicrafts and industry. India became a source of raw materials and a market to sell finished goods for the Britishers. This policy crippled the artisans and craftsmen as they were deprived of their income.

iii) The working class: The growth of modern industries led to the birth of a new class in the society in India-the working class. They were exploited by the factory owners, who were generally Britishers.

iv) The educated Indians: The only job available to them was government service in which competition was high and chances of promotion were bleak.

(b) Development of means of transport and communication: In order to economically exploit the Indians, for their administrative convenience and military defence the British developed modern means of transport and communication. Roads were constructed. Th first railway line connecting Mumbai to Thane was laid down in 1853. Besides encouraging trade and commerce, the railways facilitated the growth of nationalism.

(c) Influence of Western education: Western education proved beneficial for the Indians as we came across modern western ideas of democracy and nationalism. This gave a new direction to Indian political thinking and to national awakening. Through the study of European history, political thought and economic ideas, educated Indians had an access to the ideals of liberty, nationality, equality, rule of law and self-government.