Structural Change
Short Questions with answers
1. What does colonialism mean?
Answer : Colonialism means rule by one country over another to exploit its resources.
2. How is British colonialism unique?
Answer : It deeply changed India’s political, economic, and social systems.
3. What did colonialism promote in India?
Answer : It promoted British capitalism for maximum profit.
4. What replaced village crafts during colonialism?
Answer : Village crafts were replaced by cheap British factory goods.
5. What is industrialisation?
Answer : Industrialisation is machine-based production using resources like steam.
6. How did British industrialisation affect Indian cities?
Answer : It caused the decline of traditional cities like Surat and Dhaka.
7. What is urbanisation?
Answer : Urbanisation is the movement of people from villages to cities.
8. What linked urbanisation to industrialisation?
Answer : Factories and jobs in cities drew people to urban areas.
9. What was the main export of colonial Bombay?
Answer : Colonial Bombay mainly exported raw cotton.
10. What did the Forest Acts do?
Answer : The Forest Acts restricted pastoralists from accessing forest lands.
11. What were the tea plantations in Assam known for?
Answer : They were known for exploiting labor under harsh laws.
12. What type of cities grew under colonial rule?
Answer : Coastal cities like Bombay and Madras grew as trade hubs.
13. What is a nation-state?
Answer : A nation-state is a political entity with defined borders and sovereignty.
14. What role did cities play in colonial empires?
Answer : Cities were trade centers connecting colonies to Britain.
15. What were the features of European towns in colonial India?
Answer : They had planned streets, bungalows, and recreational facilities.
16. Why were workers brought to Assam?
Answer : Assam needed labor for its tea plantations.
17. How did colonialism affect migration?
Answer : It caused large-scale migration within and outside India.
18. What was the role of zamindars during colonialism?
Answer : Zamindars collected taxes and exploited farmers.
19. What did the Swadeshi movement promote?
Answer : It promoted the use of Indian goods over British imports.
20. How did globalisation affect urbanisation?
Answer : Globalisation accelerated city growth and development.
21. What does capitalism involve?
Answer : Capitalism involves private ownership and profit-driven markets.
22. What was the significance of Fort William?
Answer : Fort William was central to Calcutta’s colonial development.
23. What is an urban village?
Answer : An urban village is a rural area influenced by urban development.
24. How did colonialism impact the tea industry?
Answer : Colonialism exploited workers and favored British planters.
25. What happened to Indian artisans during colonialism?
Answer : They lost their livelihoods due to British goods.
26. Why is knowledge of English significant in India?
Answer : It provides social and economic advantages.
27. What were colonial cities designed for?
Answer : They were designed for trade and resource extraction.
28. What caused the decline of Indian urban centers like Dhaka?
Answer : British policies and competition with British goods caused their decline.
29. How did nationalism challenge colonialism?
Answer : Nationalism demanded freedom and sovereignty for Indians.
30. What role did colonial laws play in shaping India?
Answer : Colonial laws reshaped land, agriculture, and industries for British benefit.
Medium Questions with answers
1. What were the economic impacts of British colonialism on India?
Answer : British colonialism altered India’s economy to benefit British industries by exploiting resources and changing land ownership laws. Traditional industries like textiles declined, while cheap British goods flooded the markets.
2. How did industrialisation under British rule differ from the West?
Answer : Unlike the West, where industrialisation boosted urbanisation, British industrialisation in India led to deindustrialisation and forced many artisans into agriculture or poverty.
3. What role did cities like Bombay and Calcutta play during colonialism?
Answer : Bombay and Calcutta became major colonial trade hubs, exporting raw materials like cotton and jute while importing British manufactured goods.
4. How did colonialism lead to migration within India?
Answer : Workers were moved from regions like Bihar to Assam for tea plantations, and professionals like lawyers and doctors migrated to cities for government jobs.
5. What were the effects of the Forest Acts on Indian pastoralists?
Answer : The Forest Acts restricted pastoralists’ access to forests, depriving them of grazing lands and disrupting their traditional way of life.
6. How did British education policies impact Indian society?
Answer : British education aimed to create loyal administrative workers but also unintentionally fostered nationalism and anti-colonial sentiments.
7. Why were coastal cities prioritized during British rule?
Answer : Coastal cities were prioritized for easy export of raw materials to Britain and import of goods, becoming crucial points in the colonial trade network.
8. What is the connection between capitalism and colonialism?
Answer : Colonialism was driven by capitalist motives, using colonies to secure raw materials, cheap labor, and markets for British industries.
9. What does urbanisation signify in the colonial context?
Answer : Urbanisation in colonial India involved the decline of traditional towns and the rise of new cities shaped by colonial trade and administrative needs.
10. How did tea plantations in Assam exploit laborers?
Answer : Laborers were forcibly recruited under harsh laws, often transported far from their homes, and subjected to poor working conditions.
11. What contradictions did colonialism create in Indian society?
Colonialism introduced modern ideas like freedom but denied them in practice, creating tensions that fueled social and political changes.
12. Why was the Swadeshi movement significant for Indian industry?
Answer : The Swadeshi movement promoted the use of Indian-made goods, fostering self-reliance and resistance against British economic exploitation.
13. How did colonial industrialisation affect Indian textiles?
Answer : Indian textiles, once a major export, declined due to competition from British factory-made goods, leading to economic hardships for artisans.
14. What led to the growth of nationalist ideas in India?
Answer : Exposure to modern education and the contradictions of British rule inspired Indians to demand self-rule and economic independence.
15. What role did zamindars play in the colonial system?
Answer : Zamindars collected taxes for the British but often exploited farmers, becoming symbols of colonial oppression in rural India.
16. How did British infrastructure development impact India?
Answer : Railways and ports facilitated resource extraction and trade but primarily served British interests, not Indian development.
17. What were colonial cities like for Europeans and Indians?
Answer : Europeans lived in planned areas with modern amenities, while Indians often resided in overcrowded, underdeveloped parts of the cities.
18. How did Indian cities change during industrialisation?
Answer : Cities like Bombay expanded with factories, but many traditional towns like Surat declined as industries and markets shifted.
19. What were the impacts of colonial urbanisation on villages?
Answer : Villages near industrial towns faced land acquisition and an influx of workers, altering local economies and social relationships.
20. What contradictions existed between colonialism and nationalism?
Answer : While colonialism suppressed freedom, nationalism emphasized sovereignty and equality, leading to conflicts that fueled India’s independence movement.
Long Questions with answers
1. How did colonialism affect India’s economy?
Answer : Colonialism altered India’s economy by prioritizing British industrial needs, leading to the decline of traditional industries like textiles. Agricultural practices were modified to grow cash crops, and laws favored British landowners. This caused widespread poverty and economic dependence on Britain.
2. What were the key features of British industrialisation in India?
Answer : British industrialisation in India focused on resource extraction and export, undermining local industries. While cities like Bombay and Calcutta expanded, older urban centers like Surat declined. Industrialisation created jobs in factories but disrupted traditional livelihoods.
3. How did the Forest Acts change the lives of pastoralists?
Answer : The Forest Acts restricted pastoralists from grazing their cattle in forests, depriving them of vital resources. This forced many to abandon their traditional way of life and adapt to agricultural or urban work. These changes led to socio-economic challenges for pastoralist communities.
4. How did British colonialism affect urbanisation in India?
Answer : Urbanisation under British rule saw the growth of coastal cities like Bombay and Madras as trade hubs. Many traditional urban centers declined as industries and markets shifted. Urbanisation created new economic opportunities but also widened rural-urban disparities.
5. What was the significance of tea plantations in colonial India?
Answer : Tea plantations in Assam symbolized the exploitative nature of colonialism, with laborers recruited through coercive methods. Workers faced harsh conditions, while plantation profits benefited British planters. This highlighted the imbalance of power in colonial industries.
6. How did the Swadeshi movement promote Indian industry?
Answer : The Swadeshi movement encouraged Indians to boycott British goods and support local industries. This fostered economic self-reliance and created a sense of national unity. It also helped revive traditional crafts and industries affected by colonial policies.
7. What role did cities play in the colonial economy?
Answer : Colonial cities like Bombay and Calcutta acted as export-import hubs for British goods and raw materials. They were strategically developed to connect India’s resources with global markets. This urban growth often ignored the needs of the Indian population.
8. How did industrialisation change Indian society?
Answer : Industrialisation introduced machine-based production, creating new jobs and social classes in urban areas. It led to the migration of workers to cities but also caused the decline of traditional crafts. These changes reshaped India’s economy and social structure.
9. What contradictions did colonialism create in India?
Answer : Colonialism introduced modern ideas like freedom while denying them to Indians. It developed infrastructure like railways but used them to exploit resources. These contradictions inspired nationalist movements to fight for independence and equality.
10. How did zamindars benefit under British rule?
Answer : Zamindars collected taxes on behalf of the British, often exploiting farmers. They became wealthy landowners but failed to invest in agricultural development. This system widened economic inequality and created resentment among the rural population.
11. What challenges did traditional artisans face during colonialism?
Answer : Traditional artisans lost their livelihoods as British factory goods dominated Indian markets. The decline in demand for Indian textiles and crafts left many unemployed. This shift weakened India’s self-sufficient economy and forced artisans into other professions.
12. Why was British education both a benefit and a challenge for Indians?
Answer : British education introduced modern ideas and English, opening new opportunities for Indians. However, it created social divides and primarily served colonial administrative needs. Despite this, it inspired anti-colonial and nationalist movements.
13. How did colonial laws impact Indian agriculture?
Answer : Colonial laws forced farmers to grow cash crops like indigo and opium for British industries. This led to reduced food production and frequent famines. The focus on exports disrupted traditional agricultural practices and rural livelihoods.
14. How did the tea industry exploit Indian workers?
Answer : The tea industry in Assam recruited laborers through deceit and coercion, subjecting them to poor conditions. Workers had little choice but to endure harsh environments and low wages. This exploitation reflected the broader inequalities of colonial rule.
15. What role did migration play in colonial India?
Answer : Colonialism led to large-scale migration, with workers moving to tea plantations and cities for jobs. Some migrated abroad to other British colonies under harsh conditions. This migration disrupted traditional communities and created Indian diasporas worldwide.
16. What led to the decline of cities like Surat and Dhaka?
Answer : The decline of Surat and Dhaka was caused by the rise of British factory goods and changing trade routes. These cities lost their prominence as centers of textile production and trade. The shift to British-controlled urban centers marginalized traditional industries.
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