Would India be Richer Without British?

The British Raj in India lasted for almost two centuries, from 1858 to 1947. During this period, the British had a significant impact on the country’s economy, politics, and culture. The question remains, however, whether India would have been richer without the British.

The British imposed a number of taxes and tariffs on Indian industries, which had a negative effect on the economy. For example, the hand-loom weavers of Bengal were imposed with sky-high tariffs, had their looms broken and reduced to beggars. Therefore, India could have been the largest exporters of textiles in the world had their ways not been curbed by the British.

In addition, the British also introduced a number of laws that hindered the development of Indian industries. The Indian Industrial Commission of 1875, for example, imposed a number of restrictions on Indian businesses, including the banning of certain types of production and the imposition of taxes on certain products. These laws had a detrimental effect on the growth of Indian industries.

The British also had a negative impact on the agricultural sector. They introduced a number of land reforms that favoured the British landowners and caused a decline in agricultural production. This had a negative effect on the economy as a whole, as the majority of the population was dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

The British also introduced a number of reforms that had a negative effect on the Indian education system. The English language was made the official language of education, and the Indian education system was largely based on the British model. This had a detrimental effect on the quality of education in India, as it was not adapted to the local context.

Overall, it is clear that the British had a significant impact on the Indian economy. The taxes and tariffs imposed on Indian industries, the laws that hindered the development of Indian industries, the land reforms that favoured the British landowners, and the reforms that had a negative effect on the Indian education system all had a detrimental effect on the economy. Therefore, it is likely that India would have been richer without the British.