Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

These vocabulary flashcards cover the key economic, industrial, and demographic concepts of India under British rule as described in the lecture notes.

Muslin

A type of cotton textile with origin in Bengal, particularly around Dhaka, known for its world-famous exquisite quality.

Malmal

The super quality of muslin; foreign travellers referred to it as malmal shahi or malmal khas, implying it was fit for royalty.

V.K.R.V. Rao

An economist whose estimation of India's national income and per capita income during the British period was considered highly significant.

Economic Growth Rate (early 20th century)

The average annual growth of national income was less than $2\%$ and the growth in per capita income was only around $0.5\%$ a year.

Zamindari System

A land settlement form introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 in the Bengal presidency where Zamindars became permanent hereditary owners who paid fixed revenue to the British.

Ryotwari System

A land revenue system introduced by Thomas Munro in 1820 in Madras presidency where the government collected tax directly from the farmers (Ryots).

Mahalwari System

A land revenue system introduced by Lord Wellesley in North India where tax was collected from the village (Mahal) through the village headman.

Commercialization of Agriculture

The transition from cultivating food crops to cash crops (such as indigo for British industries), which often resulted in food shortages and famines.

TISCO

The Tata Iron and Steel Company, established by Jamshedji Tata in 1907 in Jamshedpur, Bihar.

Capital Goods Industry

Industries producing implements, tools, and machinery used for further industrialization; their neglect by the British hindered India's industrial growth.

Suez Canal

An artificial waterway opened in 1869 connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez, providing a direct trade route between Europe and South Asia.

Drain of Wealth

The colonial process of using India's export surplus to finance British administrative and war expenses instead of benefiting the Indian economy.

Year of Great Divide

The year 1921, which marks the transition of India from the first stage to the second stage of demographic transition.

Infant Mortality Rate (Colonial Period)

An alarming demographic indicator that stood at $218/1000$ during the British period.

Life Expectancy (Colonial Period)

A social indicator that was very low during the British era, recorded at only $32$ years compared to $69$ years at present.

Occupational Structure

The distribution of workers across different sectors, categorized as Primary (Agriculture), Secondary (Industry), and Tertiary (Service).

Indian Railways

A transport infrastructure introduced by the British in 1850 that broke geographical and cultural barriers but also aided the commercialization of agriculture.

Tata Airlines

The aviation company established in 1932 which inaugurated the aviation sector in India.