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The Economic History of India, 1857–2010
From the end of the eighteenth century, two distinct global processes began to transform livelihoods and living conditions in the South Asia region. These were the rise of British colonial rule and globalization, that is, the integration of the region in the emerging world markets for goods, capital, and labour services. Two hundred years later, India was the home to many of the world's poorest people as well as one of the fastest growing market economies in the world. Does a study of the past help to explain the paradox of growth amidst poverty? The Economic History of 1857–2010 claims that the roots of this paradox go back to India's colonial past, when internal factors like geography and external forces like globalization andimperial rule created prosperity in some areas and poverty in others.Looking at the recent scholarship in this area, this revised edition covers new subjects like environment and princely states. The author sets out the key questions that a study of long-run economic change in India should begin with and shows how historians have answered these questions and where the gaps remain.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 5, 2024
#Preparatory books for another Degree:
For starters, this tome is systematized chronologically and thematically, making it handy to both academic readers and general enthusiasts. Roy divides the narrative into key periods: the colonial era under British rule, the post-independence years of economic planning, and the era of liberalization beginning in the 1990s. Each chapter delves into specific sectors such as agriculture, industry, and trade, while also examining overarching themes like globalization, institutional change, and demographic trends. Roy adopts a balanced perspective, avoiding excessively deterministic views of colonial exploitation or nationalist triumphalism. Instead, he places India’s economic history within the broader context of global economic trends and structural constraints. Roy provides a nuanced scrutiny of the colonial period, arguing that British policies, while unfair and manipulative in some respects, also introduced institutions and infrastructures that had multifaceted long-term effects. For instance, the railways, though built for imperial purposes, became a crucial element in India’s economic modernization. The book offers a critical assessment of the Nehruvian model of state-led industrialization, acknowledging its achievements in creating an expanded industrial base but also pointing out its limits, such as disorganization and stifling of private enterprise. The reforms of 1991 are deliberated in detail, with Roy highlighting how they unleashed India’s economic potential but also led to challenges like rising inequality and environmental degradation. One of Roy’s key contributions is his emphasis on continuousness in Indian economic history. He argues that many post-independence expansions were rooted in pre-1947 leanings, such as the persistence of agrarian distress and regional disparities. Roy’s writing is clear and engaging, though the density of data and analysis may require patience from readers unfamiliar with economic history. The inclusion of tables, charts, and case studies enhances understanding, making complex arguments more digestible. But it should also be mentioned that while the book excels in presenting a balanced and data-driven narrative, it sometimes underplays the cultural and social dimensions of economic history, such as the impact of caste and gender on economic opportunities. Additionally, readers seeking a more detailed critique of specific policies may find the discussions somewhat broad. We can conclude by observing that this is nothing short of a ground-breaking work that bridges the breach between historical scholarship and contemporary economic analysis. It equips readers with a deep understanding of the forces that have shaped India’s economic trajectory and provides a foundation for evaluating its future prospects. For students, researchers, and policymakers, this book is an irreplaceable reserve that sheds light on the intricacies of India’s economic past and present.
For starters, this tome is systematized chronologically and thematically, making it handy to both academic readers and general enthusiasts. Roy divides the narrative into key periods: the colonial era under British rule, the post-independence years of economic planning, and the era of liberalization beginning in the 1990s. Each chapter delves into specific sectors such as agriculture, industry, and trade, while also examining overarching themes like globalization, institutional change, and demographic trends. Roy adopts a balanced perspective, avoiding excessively deterministic views of colonial exploitation or nationalist triumphalism. Instead, he places India’s economic history within the broader context of global economic trends and structural constraints. Roy provides a nuanced scrutiny of the colonial period, arguing that British policies, while unfair and manipulative in some respects, also introduced institutions and infrastructures that had multifaceted long-term effects. For instance, the railways, though built for imperial purposes, became a crucial element in India’s economic modernization. The book offers a critical assessment of the Nehruvian model of state-led industrialization, acknowledging its achievements in creating an expanded industrial base but also pointing out its limits, such as disorganization and stifling of private enterprise. The reforms of 1991 are deliberated in detail, with Roy highlighting how they unleashed India’s economic potential but also led to challenges like rising inequality and environmental degradation. One of Roy’s key contributions is his emphasis on continuousness in Indian economic history. He argues that many post-independence expansions were rooted in pre-1947 leanings, such as the persistence of agrarian distress and regional disparities. Roy’s writing is clear and engaging, though the density of data and analysis may require patience from readers unfamiliar with economic history. The inclusion of tables, charts, and case studies enhances understanding, making complex arguments more digestible. But it should also be mentioned that while the book excels in presenting a balanced and data-driven narrative, it sometimes underplays the cultural and social dimensions of economic history, such as the impact of caste and gender on economic opportunities. Additionally, readers seeking a more detailed critique of specific policies may find the discussions somewhat broad. We can conclude by observing that this is nothing short of a ground-breaking work that bridges the breach between historical scholarship and contemporary economic analysis. It equips readers with a deep understanding of the forces that have shaped India’s economic trajectory and provides a foundation for evaluating its future prospects. For students, researchers, and policymakers, this book is an irreplaceable reserve that sheds light on the intricacies of India’s economic past and present.
July 25, 2024
tour de force
This book answered my many questions of why there was a market departure between the fate of colonial India versus colonial America.
This book answered my many questions of why there was a market departure between the fate of colonial India versus colonial America.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews