Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Commercialization of Indian agriculture, signifying a shift from subsistence farming to production for the market, was a significant feature of the British colonial period. Prior to British rule, while some degree of trade existed, Indian agriculture was largely geared towards meeting local needs. The British, driven by the need for raw materials for their industries and revenue to finance their administration and trade, actively reshaped the agricultural landscape. This transformation wasn’t a deliberate policy of commercialization initially, but rather an outcome of various interconnected factors implemented over time, fundamentally altering the structure and orientation of Indian agriculture.
Land Revenue Systems and Their Impact
The introduction of new land revenue systems played a crucial role. Systems like the Permanent Settlement (1793) in Bengal, the Ryotwari System (introduced by Thomas Munro in Madras), and the Mahalwari System (North-Western Provinces), while differing in their implementation, all had the common effect of transforming peasants into landowners with the obligation to pay revenue in cash. This compelled them to produce crops for sale to meet these demands.
- Permanent Settlement: Created a class of zamindars who were interested in maximizing profits, leading to increased exploitation of tenants and a focus on commercial crops.
- Ryotwari & Mahalwari: While intended to be more direct, the pressure to pay cash revenue still pushed peasants towards commercialization.
Infrastructure Development
The British invested in infrastructure, albeit primarily to serve their own interests, which inadvertently facilitated agricultural commercialization.
- Railways: The extensive railway network (starting in 1853) connected agricultural regions to ports and markets, reducing transportation costs and enabling the large-scale movement of agricultural commodities like cotton, jute, and indigo.
- Irrigation: Large-scale irrigation projects, such as the Sirhind Canal (1886) and the Ganga Canal, expanded the area under cultivation and allowed for the production of water-intensive commercial crops.
- Roads & Ports: Improvements in roads and port facilities further streamlined the movement of goods.
Changes in Land Ownership and Production
The British policies led to changes in land ownership patterns and cropping patterns.
- Decline of Village Communities: The weakening of traditional village communities and the rise of individual land ownership eroded traditional systems of cooperation and self-sufficiency.
- Commercial Crop Focus: The demand for raw materials in Britain led to a shift towards commercial crops like indigo, cotton, jute, tea, and opium. The Indigo Commission of 1866 investigated the plight of indigo farmers due to exploitative practices.
- De-industrialization: The decline of Indian handicrafts due to British policies forced many artisans and weavers to seek employment in agriculture, increasing the labor supply and contributing to commercialization.
Role of Market Forces and British Policies
British policies and the emergence of market forces further propelled commercialization.
- Free Trade Policy: The adoption of a free trade policy in the mid-19th century opened up Indian agriculture to international markets, increasing competition and incentivizing commercial production.
- Company’s Procurement Policies: The East India Company actively procured raw materials like cotton and opium for export, creating a demand that encouraged farmers to grow these crops.
- Money Lending: The growth of a money-lending class, often linked to traders and merchants, provided credit to farmers, enabling them to invest in commercial crops but also leading to indebtedness.
| Factor | Impact on Commercialization |
|---|---|
| Land Revenue Systems | Created pressure to pay cash revenue, incentivizing market-oriented production. |
| Railway Development | Reduced transportation costs, expanded market access. |
| Commercial Crop Demand | Shifted cropping patterns towards profitable cash crops. |
| Free Trade Policy | Integrated Indian agriculture into global markets. |
Conclusion
The commercialization of Indian agriculture during British rule was a complex process driven by a confluence of factors. While infrastructure development and market forces played a role, the core impetus came from the land revenue systems and the British need for raw materials. This transformation, however, was often exploitative, leading to increased indebtedness, land alienation, and vulnerability to market fluctuations for Indian farmers. The legacy of this period continues to shape the structure and challenges of Indian agriculture today.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.