Worksheet Solutions: Indian Economy On The Eve of Independence - 2 | Economics Class 12 - Commerce PDF Download

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

Q1: India's first official census operation was undertaken in _____.
Ans: 1881
India's first official census was conducted in 1881. The British colonial administration initiated this decennial census to gather demographic and socio-economic data from various regions of India. It aimed to understand the population distribution, demographics, and other related information which was crucial for governance and administrative purposes during the colonial rule.

Q2: The main interest of zamindars under the Zamindari System was to collect _____.
Ans: Rent
The Zamindari System was a land revenue system introduced by the British during their rule in India. Under this system, zamindars were appointed as intermediaries between the British government and the farmers. The primary objective of zamindars was to collect rent from the peasants or farmers who worked on the land. The revenue collected by zamindars was then passed on to the British government, fulfilling their revenue needs.

Q3: The decline of indigenous handicraft industries in India was due to the introduction of _____ by the colonial government.
Ans: Discriminatory Tariff Policy
During the colonial period, the British implemented discriminatory tariff policies that heavily favored British manufactured goods over Indian handicrafts. They imposed high tariffs on Indian handicrafts while keeping the tariffs low for British goods. This unfair trade policy severely impacted the indigenous handicraft industries in India, leading to their decline. Indian artisans and craftsmen struggled to compete with the cheap and mass-produced British products, resulting in a significant decline of traditional handicrafts.

Q4: India's foreign trade during British rule resulted in the generation of a large _____ surplus.
Ans: Exports
During the British colonial rule, India's foreign trade was skewed heavily towards exports. India was primarily seen as a supplier of raw materials and agricultural products to Britain and other parts of the British Empire. The surplus generated from these exports helped sustain the industrialization and economic development in Britain. Unfortunately, this export-oriented approach did not significantly benefit India's economy or industrial growth.

Q5: The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 reduced the cost of transportation and made access to the Indian market _____.
Ans: Easier
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 revolutionized maritime trade by providing a shortcut between Europe and the ports of the Indian Ocean, including those in India. The Suez Canal significantly reduced the time and cost of transportation for goods and facilitated easier access to the Indian market. It made trade and travel more efficient, allowing for quicker movement of goods, people, and resources between Europe and Asia.

Q6: India's population growth transitioned from the first stage to the second stage after the year _____.
Ans: 1921
India's demographic transition model typically identifies three stages of population growth. The first stage is characterized by high birth rates and high death rates, leading to slow population growth. The second stage involves a decrease in death rates due to improved healthcare and sanitation, resulting in a rapid increase in population. India transitioned from the first to the second stage of this demographic transition model around 1921, marking a significant decline in death rates and a subsequent population growth.

Q7: India's overall literacy level during British rule was less than _____ percent.
Ans: 16%
During the British colonial rule, India had a very low literacy rate. The education system was not widespread and was primarily focused on a limited section of the population, particularly the elite and urban areas. The literacy rate was estimated to be less than 16%, indicating that a significant majority of the population lacked access to formal education and literacy.

Q8: The British introduced an expensive system of _____ in India for the purpose of maintaining law and order.
Ans: Electric telegraph
The British introduced the electric telegraph system in India to improve communication and enhance their ability to maintain law and order. The electric telegraph allowed for quicker transmission of messages and information across vast distances, enabling the colonial authorities to respond more efficiently to various situations related to governance, law enforcement, and administration.

Q9: The industrial sector in India lacked modernization, diversification, capacity building, and increased _____ investment.
Ans: Public
During the British colonial rule, the industrial sector in India was neglected and exploited for the benefit of the British economy. There was a lack of modernization, diversification, and capacity building within the Indian industrial sector. Additionally, the British did not invest significantly in industrial development in India, and the investments that were made were primarily for their own economic interests rather than for the growth and advancement of the Indian industry.

Q10: The collapse of India's world-famous handicraft industries and deindustrialization policy by the British did not result in the formation of any industrial base in India, leading to the lack of _____ in the industrial sector.
Ans: Modernization
The collapse of India's traditional handicraft industries, coupled with the British deindustrialization policy, did not lead to the formation of a modern industrial base in India. Instead, the British exploited India's resources and suppressed indigenous industries, hindering the development of modern industrialization. This lack of modernization in the industrial sector was a significant consequence of British economic policies during the colonial period.

Section 2: Assertion and Reason

Q1: Assertion: India's foreign trade during British rule resulted in the generation of a large exports surplus.
Reason: Export of primary products resulted in scarcity of essential commodities in the domestic market.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Q2: Assertion: India's industrial sector during British rule lacked modernization and capacity building.
Reason: The British introduced a sound capital goods industry in India.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.

Q3: Assertion: India's agricultural sector continued to experience stagnation and low productivity during British rule.
Reason: Indian farmers were encouraged to produce cash crops instead of food crops.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Q4: Assertion: India's infrastructure development during British rule aimed to provide basic amenities to the people.
Reason: Roads were built primarily for the mobility of the Indian population during natural calamities.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Q5: Assertion: The British introduced railways in India in 1853, which had a positive impact on the Indian economy.
Reason: The construction of railways led to huge economic losses for the Indian economy.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
Ans: (b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Section 3: Very Short Answers 

Q1: What was the main source of livelihood for most people in pre-British India?
Ans: Agriculture

Q2: Name one type of cotton textile from Dhaka, Bengal, which was famous worldwide.
Ans: Muslin or Malmal

Q3: What was the primary objective of British economic policies in India?
Ans: To serve British economic interests

Q4: Which system of land settlement favored zamindars in British India?
Ans: Zamindari System

Q5: What was the main cause of low agricultural productivity in British India?
Ans: Use of primitive production techniques

Q6: What did the British encourage Indian farmers to produce instead of food crops?
Ans: Cash crops like cotton and indigo

Q7: In what year did India transition from the first stage to the second stage of demographic transition?
Ans: 1921

Q8: What was the overall literacy level in India during British rule?
Ans: Less than 16%

Q9: What did the British introduce in India to maintain law and order?
Ans: Electric telegraph

Q10: Which sector in India lacked modernization and capacity building under British rule?
Ans: Industrial sector

Section 4: Short Answers

Q1: Explain the impact of the Zamindari System on Indian agriculture during British rule.
Ans: Under the Zamindari System, zamindars were recognized as owners of land. The profit from agriculture went to the zamindars instead of the cultivators. Zamindars had little interest in improving agricultural conditions, causing social tension and misery.

Q2: Describe the reasons for the low level of agricultural productivity in British India.
Ans: The low level of agricultural productivity in British India can be attributed to the use of primitive techniques of production, lack of irrigation facilities, negligible use of fertilizers, and the promotion of cash crops over food crops.

Q3: Discuss the impact of India's foreign trade during British rule on the country's economy.
Ans: India's foreign trade during British rule resulted in the country becoming an exporter of primary products. This led to the import of finished consumer goods from Britain, resulting in an export surplus that was used to pay for British expenses and war efforts. This created a drain of Indian wealth.

Q4: Explain the demographic transition in India during British rule.
Ans: Before 1921, India was in the first stage of demographic transition characterized by low life expectancy, high infant mortality rate, and extensive poverty. After 1921, India transitioned to the second stage with improved living conditions and a decline in mortality rates.

Q5: Describe the occupational structure in India during British rule.
Ans: The occupational structure in India during British rule was primarily based on agriculture, which employed 70-75% of the workforce. The manufacturing sector employed around 10% of the workforce, while the service sector employed 15-20%. There were regional variations in the distribution of the workforce.

Q6: Explain the impact of railways on the Indian economy during British rule.
Ans: The introduction of railways in India in 1853 had a significant impact on the Indian economy. It enabled long-distance travel, breaking geographical and cultural barriers. It also fostered the commercialization of Indian agriculture. However, the economic benefits were limited for the Indian people, leading to economic losses.

Q7: Discuss the state of India's infrastructure during British rule.
Ans: The development of India's infrastructure during British rule was primarily aimed at serving colonial interests rather than providing basic amenities to the people. The roads were primarily built for military and raw material transport, and there were inadequate inland waterways and postal services.

Q8: Summarize the crucial economic challenges India faced at the time of independence.
Ans: At the time of independence, India faced several crucial economic challenges. These included an overcrowded agriculture sector with surplus labor and low productivity, the collapse of handicraft industries, the lack of an industrial base and slow industrial growth, foreign trade oriented towards British industrial interests, and extensive poverty and unemployment.

Section 5: Long Answers

Q1: Discuss the economic policies pursued by the British in India and their impact on the Indian economy.
Ans: The British pursued economic policies in India that aimed to make India a supplier of raw materials and a market for British products. This led to the deindustrialization of India, slow industrial growth, the lack of a capital goods industry, and a limited role for the public sector. These policies resulted in the exploitation of Indian resources and the drain of wealth from India to Britain.

Q2: Explain the impact of the land settlement systems introduced by the British on Indian agriculture.
Ans: The land settlement systems introduced by the British, such as the Zamindari System and revenue settlement systems, had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. Under the Zamindari System, the profit from agriculture went to the zamindars instead of the cultivators, leading to misery for the cultivators. The revenue settlement systems also resulted in the exploitation of farmers by zamindars. Overall, these systems contributed to low agricultural productivity, the lack of investment in agriculture, and the commercialization of agriculture.

Q3: Discuss the state of India's agriculture sector during British rule, highlighting the causes of its stagnation and low productivity.
Ans: During British rule, the agriculture sector in India experienced stagnation and low productivity. This was primarily caused by the use of primitive production techniques, the lack of irrigation facilities, the negligible use of fertilizers, the promotion of cash crops over food crops, and the exploitation of farmers by zamindars. These factors contributed to the low agricultural productivity and the lack of investment in agriculture.

Q4: Describe the state of India's industrial sector during British rule, focusing on the reasons for its lack of development.
Ans: India's industrial sector during British rule lacked development and modernization. This was due to the deindustrialization policy pursued by the British, the destruction of the handicraft industry, the slow growth of modern industries, the lack of a capital goods industry, and the inadequate industrial growth. These factors resulted in the slow industrial growth, the limited role of the public sector, and the dependency on British finished products in the Indian economy.