BHIC 134
HISTORY OF INDIA: 1707-1950
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Assignment – I
Q 1. What was the nature of the Permanent Settlement? Discuss.
Ans. The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793 during the British rule in India, was a land revenue system primarily applied in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
It was one of the earliest major administrative decisions taken by the British East India Company, and it had a long-lasting impact on Indian agriculture, economy, and society.
The primary aim behind this settlement was to create a stable and regular source of income for the British government in India.
At the same time, it sought to win the loyalty of the land-owning class by giving them permanent ownership rights over the land.
Under the Permanent Settlement, the British government declared zamindars (landlords) as the legal owners of the land.
These zamindars were responsible for collecting land revenue from the peasants (ryots) and paying a fixed amount to the British authorities every year.
This amount was to remain unchanged forever, hence the term “Permanent.”
Regardless of whether the agricultural output increased or decreased, the amount the zamindar had to pay remained the same.
If the zamindars failed to pay the revenue on time, their land could be confiscated and auctioned off by the government.
This settlement was based on the belief that permanent land ownership would encourage zamindars to invest in the development of agriculture and improve productivity.
However, the reality turned out to be different.
Instead of improving agriculture, the Permanent Settlement created a class of absentee landlords who were more interested in collecting revenue than investing in the land.
Since the zamindars had no obligation to share their profits with the peasants, they often exploited them to earn more money.
Many of the zamindars never even visited the villages they owned, leaving the work to their agents who were often harsh and corrupt.
The peasants were forced to pay high rents, and they had little or no security over the land they tilled. If they failed to pay rent, they could be evicted at any time.
Moreover, the fixed revenue system did not take into account the fluctuations in agricultural production.
In times of drought or flood, peasants were unable to grow enough crops, but the revenue demand remained the same. As a result, many peasants fell into debt or lost their land.
On the other hand, if agricultural output improved, the entire surplus profit went to the zamindars, and the British government did not benefit from the increased income.
This was a major flaw in the system because the government had tied itself to a fixed revenue and missed out on the chance to earn more during prosperous times.
Another important aspect of the Permanent Settlement was its social impact.
It led to the creation of a new class of powerful landlords who were loyal to the British and had a vested interest in maintaining the colonial system.
These zamindars played an important role in supporting British rule in India.
At the same time, the condition of the peasants worsened. Their poverty and suffering increased due to high rents, insecure tenures, and lack of rights.
The bond between the tiller of the soil and the land was broken, which led to instability in rural society.
Economically, the Permanent Settlement did not lead to the expected growth in agricultural production.
Since the zamindars had no direct connection with farming and the peasants were always under pressure, there was very little investment in agricultural technology or improvement.
Productivity remained low, and the rural economy suffered. In many cases, zamindars lost their land because they could not pay the fixed revenue during difficult times.
This led to frequent land transfers and created a system where ownership was unstable, but always out of reach for the actual farmers.
The policy also had political and administrative motives.
By giving land ownership to the zamindars, the British hoped to create a loyal and supportive landed aristocracy, similar to the landlords in Britain.
This class would help maintain law and order in the countryside and act as a link between the government and the rural population.
However, the system ignored the ground realities of Indian agriculture and social structure. Unlike England, where landlords were also farmers, Indian zamindars mostly acted as rent collectors.
Q 2. Discuss the differences between the Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress.
Ans. The Indian National Congress, formed in 1885, played a major role in India’s freedom struggle.
However, as time passed, differences began to grow within the party, especially regarding how to deal with British rule.
These differences led to the rise of two major groups: the Moderates and the Extremists.
Both had the common goal of achieving freedom for India, but their methods, ideas, and beliefs were very different.
Understanding their differences helps us see how the freedom movement evolved over time and how both groups contributed in their own ways.
The Moderates were the early leaders of the Congress who believed in slow and steady reform. They had faith in the British sense of justice and wanted to achieve their goals through peaceful methods.
Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and M.G. Ranade were important figures among the Moderates.
They believed in writing petitions, sending representations to the British Parliament, holding meetings, and spreading awareness about Indian problems.
They thought that if Indians could prove their loyalty and reason with the British, the rulers would understand their demands and grant them more rights.
On the other hand, the Extremists had a different approach. They believed that India could not get freedom by depending on the mercy of the British.
According to them, only active resistance, national pride, and direct action could bring change.
Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai – together known as Lal-Bal-Pal – were key figures among the Extremists.
They wanted to inspire people to fight for self-rule (Swaraj) and were ready to go beyond petitions and polite protests.
They used speeches, public festivals, and newspapers to spread their message and awaken national spirit.
The Moderates believed in cooperation with the British.
They saw British rule as a blessing in disguise, thinking it had brought modern education, railways, law and order, and unity to India.
Their demands were limited. They asked for more Indians in civil services, better education, and protection of Indian industries.
They did not demand complete independence, but rather more rights and respect under British rule.
Their politics was mostly limited to the educated, upper-class Indians who could read and write in English.
In contrast, the Extremists rejected the idea of British rule as a blessing.
They believed that the British were draining India’s wealth and keeping Indians poor and helpless.
They openly criticized British policies and asked for Swaraj, which meant complete self-rule.
They believed in the strength of masses – common people, farmers, and workers – and wanted to include them in the freedom struggle.
They believed that pride in Indian culture, unity among Indians, and sacrifices for the country were necessary to achieve freedom.
Another key difference between the two groups was their attitude towards protests.
The Moderates avoided any kind of confrontation. They stayed within legal limits and were careful not to offend the British rulers.
They followed a method known as the “Three P’s” – petition, prayer, and protest – which was very soft in nature. On the other hand, the Extremists did not shy away from aggressive action.
While they were not fully violent, they encouraged boycotts of British goods, the Swadeshi movement (use of Indian-made products), and protests against British laws.
The division between the Moderates and Extremists became clear during the partition of Bengal in 1905.
The Moderates were ready to negotiate and request the British to cancel the partition.
But the Extremists called for strong protests, Swadeshi, and mass movements. This created tension within the Congress. In the Surat session of 1907, the split became official.
The Moderates and Extremists went their separate ways for some time, weakening the unity of the national movement.
Despite their differences, both groups made important contributions to the freedom struggle. The Moderates laid the foundation of political awareness and constitutional methods.
They brought Indian issues to the attention of the British Parliament and created a base for future leaders.
The Extremists, on the other hand, gave courage to the people, filled them with patriotism, and showed that Indians could stand up against injustice.
Their bold ideas later influenced movements like non-cooperation and civil disobedience.
Assignment – II
Q 3. What were the main ideas of the Utilitarians? Discuss.
Ans. The Utilitarians were a group of British thinkers and reformers in the 18th and 19th centuries who believed that the purpose of government and society should be to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.
This simple but powerful idea was the foundation of Utilitarian philosophy.
The main ideas of Utilitarianism were developed by Jeremy Bentham and later expanded by his follower, John Stuart Mill.
Their thoughts influenced many political and social reforms, especially during the British rule in India.
One of the core ideas of the Utilitarians was that human actions should be judged by their consequences.
According to them, if an action brings more happiness and reduces suffering, then it is a good action. They believed that pleasure and happiness were the highest goals in life.
Therefore, all laws and policies should be made in such a way that they increase the overall well-being of people.
This belief was different from earlier systems that focused on tradition, religion, or the rights of kings.
Utilitarians wanted laws to be based on reason, evidence, and human needs.
Jeremy Bentham, the founder of Utilitarianism, argued that people naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain.
He said that the role of government should be to make decisions that lead to the maximum benefit for the maximum number of people. He also supported equality and was against social privileges.
He wanted the law to be clear, simple, and made for the common good, not just to protect the interests of the rich or powerful.
Bentham strongly believed in reforming old laws and institutions that no longer served the people.
John Stuart Mill, while agreeing with Bentham, added more depth to Utilitarianism. He believed that not all pleasures are equal and that mental and moral pleasures were higher than physical pleasures.
He also supported individual liberty and the right to free speech.
Mill believed that people should be free to live their own lives as long as they do not harm others. He thought that this freedom was important for happiness and human progress.
He also focused on the importance of education and women’s rights, which were not often discussed at that time.
Utilitarian ideas had a strong impact on British policies in India. Many British officials, who were influenced by Utilitarian thinking, believed that Indian society needed reform.
They introduced laws to improve administration, end harmful practices, and promote justice.
For example, the abolition of Sati and reforms in the legal and educational systems were inspired by Utilitarian values.
However, sometimes these reforms were applied without understanding Indian traditions and caused resistance among the people.
Q 4. Comment on the economic impact of the British rule.
Ans. The economic impact of British rule in India was deep and long-lasting. It changed the Indian economy in many ways, most of which were harmful for the people.
Before the British came, India had a rich and self-sufficient economy based on agriculture, local industries, and trade. Indian handicrafts, textiles, and goods were famous around the world.
But British policies slowly destroyed this traditional system and turned India into a supplier of raw materials and a market for British goods.
One of the biggest changes the British made was in agriculture.
They introduced a system where the main goal of farming was to produce cash crops like cotton, indigo, tea, and opium instead of food grains.
These crops were useful for British industries, but they were not helpful for Indian farmers.
As a result, food production decreased, and many people faced hunger and famine. Farmers were also burdened with heavy taxes.
Under systems like the Permanent Settlement, they had to pay fixed taxes even during bad harvests. Many farmers fell into debt, lost their land, or were forced to work as laborers.
The British also destroyed Indian industries, especially the famous textile industry.
British-made cloth was imported into India in large quantities, while Indian handloom products were heavily taxed or discouraged.
Indian weavers and craftsmen lost their livelihood as they could not compete with cheap, machine-made British goods.
This led to the decline of traditional skills and mass unemployment in rural and urban areas.
Another major impact was the way the British used India’s wealth for their own benefit.
The drain of wealth theory, explained by Dadabhai Naoroji, showed how Britain took away India’s resources without giving anything in return.
Profits earned in India were sent to Britain, and Indians had to pay for the British army, civil servants, and pensions.
This constant outflow of money made India poorer over time.
The British did build roads, railways, and telegraph lines, but these were mainly meant to serve their own interests.
The transport system helped them move raw materials from villages to ports and finished goods from ports to markets.
It was not designed to help Indian people or boost local trade.
Similarly, English education was promoted not to educate the masses but to create a small group of Indians who could assist the British in administration.
India’s trade pattern also changed under British rule. India began to export raw materials and import finished British goods.
This made the Indian economy dependent and weak.
Indian industries were not developed, and there was no focus on scientific or technical progress. Instead of growing as a modern economy, India became a colony that served British needs.
Q 5. What was the role of the Constituent Assembly in shaping the Indian Constitution?.
Ans. The Constituent Assembly played a very important role in shaping the Indian Constitution. It was the body of representatives that came together after independence to draft the Constitution of India.
The Assembly was formed in 1946, before India became fully free, and it began its work even before the country was officially independent.
The main task of the Constituent Assembly was to create a written document that would guide the political, legal, and social future of the country.
The members of the Assembly took this task very seriously, as they knew the Constitution would become the foundation of independent India.
The Constituent Assembly was made up of people from different regions, religions, languages, and political backgrounds.
This diversity made sure that all sections of Indian society had a voice in the making of the Constitution.
Leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was the chairman of the Drafting Committee, played a major role in writing the Constitution.
Other important members included Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, and Rajendra Prasad.
These leaders brought their vision, experience, and understanding of India’s problems to the discussions, helping to shape a strong and fair Constitution.
One of the most important roles of the Constituent Assembly was to hold detailed discussions and debates on every part of the Constitution. They did not rush the process.
The Assembly took almost three years – from December 1946 to January 1950 – to complete the drafting. Every article and clause was discussed, changed, and improved through open debate.
This democratic process made the Constitution strong and acceptable to all.
The Assembly also studied other countries’ constitutions to learn from their experiences, but they always made sure that the Indian Constitution suited India’s unique needs and diversity.
The Constituent Assembly also made sure that the values of justice, equality, freedom, and fraternity were included in the Constitution.
These values were included in the Preamble, which reflects the soul of the Constitution.
The Assembly wanted to ensure that India would be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic where every citizen would be treated equally.
The members worked hard to remove social discrimination, ensure fundamental rights, and promote unity in a diverse country.
Another key role of the Constituent Assembly was to make sure that the Constitution would give power to the people.
It laid the foundation of democracy by giving adult suffrage, meaning every adult citizen had the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
It also created institutions like the Parliament, the Judiciary, and the Election Commission to make sure the democratic process runs smoothly.
Assignment – III
Q 6. Ryotwari Settlement
Ans. The Ryotwari Settlement was a system of land revenue introduced by the British in parts of southern India, especially in Madras and Bombay.
Under this system, the British directly collected taxes from the farmers, known as “ryots.”
Each farmer was considered the owner of the land and was responsible for paying a fixed tax to the government. This system was first introduced by Thomas Munro.
Though it gave ownership rights to farmers, the tax demands were often too high, causing distress and poverty.
Q 7. State formation in Hyderabad in the 18th century
Ans. In the 18th century, after the decline of the Mughal Empire, Hyderabad emerged as an important state under the leadership of Nizam-ul-Mulk.
He became the first Nizam of Hyderabad in 1724. Though he accepted the Mughal Emperor in name, he ruled independently.
Hyderabad became a powerful kingdom in the Deccan, rich in culture and economy.
Q 8. The Orientalists in India
Ans. Orientalists were European scholars who studied India’s ancient languages, texts, and culture.
They believed Indian civilization had great value. Scholars like William Jones promoted the study of Sanskrit and classical Indian literature.
Their work helped preserve many ancient texts, though they often viewed India through a European lens.
Q 9. Communalism
Ans. Communalism is the idea of promoting the interests of one’s own religious community over others.
In India, it often led to conflicts between Hindus and Muslims.
During British rule, communal tensions were sometimes encouraged by divide-and-rule policies. Communalism later became one of the causes of the Partition.
Q 10. Transfer of Power
Ans. The Transfer of Power refers to the process by which the British handed over control of India to Indian leaders in 1947.
After World War II, growing national movements, economic pressure, and international support for Indian independence forced the British to leave.
On August 15, 1947, India became a free nation through a peaceful, though painful, transfer of power that also led to Partition.
IGNOU BHIC 133 Solved Free Assignment
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