British Policies and Impacts

Read the two statements given below about the Ryotwari system. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).

Assertion(A): This land revenue policy was made with the ryots or cultivators.

Reason (R): Lord Cornwallis introduced this system in 1793 in Bengal and Bihar.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The Ryotwari System was introduced in 1820 by British officials, Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro, who recommended that settlement should be made directly with the actual cultivators or Ryots.

Identify the achievements of Dadabhai Naoroji.

P: He was the founding President of the Indian National Congress.

Q: He introduced the Wood's Despatch.

R: "Drain of Wealth" theory was developed by him.

S: He wrote a book "Poverty and un-British Rule in India"

1. P and Q
2. R and S
3. P and R
4. Q and S

Answer

R and S

Identify the ODD ONE out of the following main features of the Wood's Despatch?

1. Teaching of Western Education.
2. Establishment of University of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.
3. Opening of the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur.
4. Emphasised the importance of vocational instruction.

Answer

Opening of the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur.

Anshu is preparing a project on the "Effects of Western Education in India". Which of the following educationists he is MOST LIKELY to highlight?

1. Thomas Macaulay
2. John Elliot Bethune
3. M.E. Saddler
4. John Simon

Answer

Thomas Macaulay

Which of the following aspects is being depicted by the given picture?

1. Vocational education system of India.
2. Technical education system of India.
3. Modern education system of India.
4. Traditional education system of India.

Answer

Traditional education system of India.

Sonia is preparing a speech on the land revenue system under British rule. Which of the following person's contribution she must mention in her speech?

1. Lord Cornwallis
2. Alexander Reed
3. Thomas Munro
4. All of these

Answer

All of these

Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.

Statement I: The three universities of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay came into existence in 1857.

Statement II: The Charter Act of 1833 sanctioned an amount of five lakh rupees for the education of Indians.

1. Statement (I) is correct and statement (II) is incorrect.
2. Statement (I) is incorrect and statement (II) is correct.
3. Both statements (I) and (II) are incorrect.
4. Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

Answer

Statement (I) is correct and statement (II) is incorrect.

Which among the following statements is incorrect?

1. The educated Indians realised the exploitative nature of British rule.
2. India's national movement was led by people who had access to western education.
3. English became the link language between people living in different parts of India under British rule.
4. The spread of english education discouraged Indians to reform their social and religious institutions.

Answer

The spread of English education discouraged Indians to reform their social and religious institutions.

If a Zamindar failed to pay his dues, the land was confiscated under the

1. Permanent Settlement
2. Ryotwari System
3. Mahalwari System
4. Ijaradari System

Answer

Permanent Settlement

Identify the land revenue system under British rule on the given clues.

• It was introduced by British officials Alexander Reed and Thomas Munro.
• This settlements was made with the cultivators directly.

1. Permanent settlement
2. Ryotwari system
3. Mahalwari system
4. Ijaradari system

Answer

Ryotwari system

Fill in the blanks.

1. The British domination of India brought many changes in the ..............., ............... and ............... life of India.

2. The Indian villages were ............... communities before the coming of the British.

3. The British charged revenue in ............... instead of kind.

4. The three kinds of land settlements made by the British were ..............., ............... and ............... .

5. A new class of landholders called ............... came into existence after introduction of the Permanent Settlement.

Answer

1. economic, social, political

2. self-sufficient

3. cash

4. the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari System, the Mahalwari System

5. Zamindars

Match Column A with Column B.

Answer

State whether the following statements are True or False.

1. The important centres for Indian goods were Dhaka, Benaras, Lucknow, Multan, Ahmedabad, etc.

2. Lord Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in India.

3. The English took great interest in Indian culture and promoted it.

4. The English took interest in education of Indians only because they needed low paid, English speaking clerks.

5. The Company promoted technical education.

Answer

1. True

2. True

3. False
   Correct Statement — The English took little interest in Indian culture and promoted Western culture.

4. True

5. True

Why did India's foreign trade decline during the British rule?

Answer

India's foreign trade declined during British rule due to several factors:

1. Competition from British goods: Indian artisans couldn't compete with cheap British-made cloth, which flooded the market and led to the collapse of traditional industries.
2. Unfavorable trade policies: The British imposed heavy duties on Indian exports, while their goods entered India duty-free, making Indian products uncompetitive.
3. Focus on raw materials: India was made a supplier of raw materials for British industries, while British goods dominated Indian markets, limiting India's industrial growth.
4. Impact of railways: The British-built railways helped their goods reach even remote areas of India, further displacing local industries and reducing foreign trade.

Why did the English East India Company feel the need for educational reforms?

Answer

The British believed that educated Indians would help ease communication in India. They also believed that employing educated Indians in offices would cut the cost of administration and ensure the loyalty of Indians.

What were the main objectives of British education in India? Mention the steps recommended to implement the policy.

Answer

The main objectives of British education in India, as outlined in the Wood's Despatch, were:

1. Teach Western education: Spread European knowledge in arts, science, and literature, with English as the medium of higher education.
2. Promote vernacular languages: Use vernacular languages to spread European knowledge to the masses.
3. Focus on vocational and technical education: Establish technical schools and colleges for vocational training.

Steps recommended to implement the policy:

1. School system: Establish vernacular primary schools in villages, followed by Anglo-Vernacular high schools and colleges at the district level.
2. Grants-in-aid: Encourage private institutions with grants-in-aid, ensuring they meet teaching standards and employ qualified teachers.
3. Public Instruction Department: Create a Department in each province to monitor education and submit annual reports.
4. Universities: Establish universities in Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, modeled after London University, to conduct exams and confer degrees.
5. Teachers' training: Set up teachers' training institutions to improve the quality of education.
6. Women's education: Provide support for women’s education.

These measures led to the establishment of three universities in 1857, marking a key development in India's education system.

Describe the recommendations in Wood's Despatch and their effects.

Answer

The Wood's Despatch (1854) outlined the educational policy for India under British rule, with the following key points:

1. Western Education: The aim was to spread European knowledge, including arts, science, philosophy, and literature, with English as the medium for higher education.
2. Vernacular Languages: While English was for higher education, vernacular languages were emphasized for reaching the masses.
3. Educational Infrastructure: It proposed setting up vernacular primary schools in villages, followed by Anglo-Vernacular high schools and affiliated colleges at the district level.
4. Grants-in-Aid: To foster private educational institutions, grants were provided, conditional on employing qualified teachers and maintaining proper standards.
5. Department of Public Instruction: A Director in each province would review the progress of education and submit annual reports to the government.
6. Establishment of Universities: Universities were proposed for Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, modeled on the London University, to conduct exams and confer degrees.
7. Vocational Education: Emphasis was placed on technical education and establishing vocational schools and colleges.
8. Teachers' Training: Teachers' training institutions, modeled on England’s system, were recommended.
9. Women's Education: The Despatch supported the education of women.

Discuss various aspects of the drain of wealth.

Answer

The Drain of Wealth theory, developed by Indian nationalists like Dadabhai Naoroji, explained the transfer of wealth from India to Britain under British rule.

1. Economic Transfer: Wealth was sent to Britain through remittances, profits from trade, and revenues collected from India. The British purchased Indian goods and exported them, sending the money back to Britain.
2. The drain started after the Battle of Plassey (1757) and became more significant after the British acquired Diwani of Bengal (1765), allowing them to control revenue and export goods.
3. By the late 18th century, nearly 9% of India’s national income was drained.
4. Impact: The drain contributed to Britain’s industrialisation, while India suffered from economic stagnation. Traditional industries were destroyed, and the country remained impoverished.
5. No Return for India: India exported raw materials and bought back finished goods at higher prices, with no economic benefit for the country.

1. Identify the personality.

2. What do you understand by 'Drain of wealth'?

3. Mention the book written by him.

Answer

1. The personality shown in the given picture is Dadabhai Naoroji, a prominent Indian nationalist and economist.

2. The "Drain of Wealth" refers to the transfer of India’s wealth to Britain under British colonial rule, without any economic or material return to India. This wealth was extracted through various means, including remittances, trade profits, and the export of goods, which contributed to India’s impoverishment while financing Britain’s industrial development.

3. The book written by Dadabhai Naoroji is "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India", in which he elaborated on the economic exploitation of India by the British and the resulting impoverishment of the Indian population.