Economic History of Modern India

Paper Code: 
25 HIS 423 (C)
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course empowers students to trace pivotal aspects of the Indian economy during British rule from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century. It delves into fundamental economic transformations across agriculture, weaving, trade, finance, and labor. Additionally, students will critically assess British economic policies, including land revenue arrangements, industrialization, free trade, tariff structures, and policies of discriminatory protection, gaining insight into their profound impacts on colonial India's economic landscape.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Outcome (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25HIS 423 (C)

 

Economic History of Modern India

(Theory)

 

CO202- Assess Indian Economy in the 18th Century Nature and Structure.

CO203-Examine processes leading to cottage industries' destruction, de-industrialization, and resultant consequences .

CO204- Delineate British land tenure policy, agrarian relations, commercialization of agriculture, and their effects

CO205- Evaluate Drain of Wealth's process and implications, and railways' development and impact.

CO206-Discuss Industrialization with special reference to Cotton Textiles and Jute Industry

CO207-Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation

Class test, Semester End Examinations, Class Assignment, Presentation, Individual and group projects, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials,

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Indian Economy in the 18th Century

Indian Economy in the 18th Century Nature and Structure.

Early Phase of Colonial Economy.

 

12.00
Unit II: 
British Economic Policies

Destruction of the Cottage Industries

Decline of artisanal and handicraft industries

De-industrialization and its Consequences

12.00
Unit III: 
British Agrarian Relations

Agrarian relation: British Land Tenure Policy: Permanent, Ryotwari and Mahalwari.

Commercialization of Agriculture and its effects.

Famines in British India

12.00
Unit IV: 
Financial Drain

Drain of Wealth and its implications

Railways: British Construction Policy, Growth and impact

12.00
Unit V: 
Industrialization and Free Trade

Industrialization with special reference to Cotton Textiles, Jute Industry, Iron and Steel industry. Policy of Free Trade, Tariff and Policy of Discriminatory Protection. Impact of  two World Wars on industries.

Essential Readings: 
  • R.C. Dutt : Economic History of India
  • Pandey S.N., Economic History of Modern India, Readworthy publication, New Delhi, 2008
  • Bipin Chandra : Rise and Growth of Economic Nationalism in India

 

References: 
  • A.K. Bagchi : Private Investment in India 1909-1930
  • B.N. Ganguli : Dadabhai Naroji and the Drain Theory
  • Elizabeth Whitcombe : Agrarian Conditions in Northern India 1860-1900
  • Daniel and Alice : Land and Labour in India
  • Dharma Kumar and Tapan Ray Choudhary (eds) : The Cambridge Economic History of India, Vol. II
  • Rajat K. Ray (ed) : Entrepreneurship and Industry in India, 1800-1947
  • A.R. Desai : Peasant Struggles in India
  • Dadabhai Naoroji : Poverty and Un-British Rule in India    

E-Resources

Academic Year: 
2025-26
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