Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Economics - Indian Economic Development - Chapter Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 12: . With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
The occupational structure that refers to the distribution of population engaged in different occupations, showed no variation throughout the British rule. The following are the salient features of India's pre-independence occupational structure:
1. Agriculture: The Prime Occupation: Under the colonial rule, India was basically an agrarian economy, employing nearly 85% of its population. As India had massive poverty during colonial rule, so a large proportion of the population was engaged in the agricultural sector to earn their subsistence. But due to the prevalence of the Zamindari system, the agricultural sector lacked investment and, thereby, its growth was highly constrained. Thus, in other words, despite employing a significant proportion of the population, the growth of the agriculture sector was meager.
2. Industry: The Bleak Occupation: Apart from agriculture, a small proportion of the population was employed in the manufacturing sector. Nearly 10% of the total workforce was engaged in the manufacturing and industrial sector. This was due to the stiff competition that the Indian industries faced from the machine made cheap goods from Britain. Further, the lack of investment, initiatives and the unfavourable tariff structure constrained the industrial sector. Thus, the Indian industrial sector failed to contribute significantly to India's GDP.
3. Unbalanced Growth: The three sectors of Indian economy, i.e. agricultural, industrial and tertiary sector were unequally developed. While the agricultural sector was relatively developed, whereas, the other two sectors were at their infant stage. In addition, there was regional variation in the occupational structure of India. While on the one hand, states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Bombay experienced a fall in the agricultural work force on the other hand states like Orissa, Rajasthan and Punjab experienced a rise in the agricultural workforce.
Match the following:
|
1. Prime Minister 3. Quota 4. Land Reforms 5. HYV Seeds 6. Subsidy |
A. Seeds that give large proportion of output C. Chairperson of the planning commission D. The money value of all the final goods and services produced within the economy in one year. E. Improvements in the field of agriculture to increase its productivity F. The monetary assistance given by government for production activities. |
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