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Department Of History

Course Details

Course Title ECONOMIC HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA (1600 TO 1857)
Semester I
Course Type DSC
Course Level 100-199
Course Code KU1DSCHIS102
Credits 4
Total Hours 60
Lecture 4 Hours/Week
Practical / Internship Nil
Tutorial 1 Hour/Week
Continuous Evaluation (CE) 30 Marks
End Semester Examination (ESE) 70 Marks
Total Marks 100 Marks
Duration of ESE 2 Hours

Course Description

This course familiarizes students with the meaning and nature of colonialism and its intrusion into India. It analyses the economic impact of colonialism in India from 1600 to 1857 AD. Through this course, students will be able to critically study the British economic policies and their impact on India. Students will also be acquainted with the trade policies adopted by the British Government for the accumulation of wealth from India.

Course Outcomes

CO No. Expected Outcome Learning Domain
CO-1 Understand the basic features of colonialism and important studies on colonialism. U
CO-2 Analyse colonialism in the Indian context and its impact upon the Indian economy. An
CO-3 Evaluate the nature of deindustrialization and economic drain of India under colonialism. An
CO-4 Critically analyse the changes in the Indian economy through different ages. A
CO-5 Examine the nature of British trade policies in India. E

Learning Domains: R – Remember, U – Understand, A – Apply, An – Analyse, E – Evaluate, C – Create.

Course Contents

Module Title Contents Hours
I Colonialism in Indian Context
  1. Meaning and definitions of Colonialism – Writings on Colonialism – R.P. Dutt, Bipan Chandra.
  2. East India Companies – Colonialism in India – Stages of Colonialism – Traders to Conquerors.
  3. Economic impact of the Carnatic Wars.
  4. Importance of the British Capture of Bengal – Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar.
 15
II Colonial Economic Policies
  1. British Land Revenue Policies – Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari Settlement, Mahalwari Settlement and their impact.
  2. Commercialisation of Agriculture – Production of Raw Materials – Polarization in the Agrarian Sector – Agrarian Proletariat.
  3. Impact of Colonial Economic Policies.
 15
III Trade and Commerce under British Colonialism
  1. Foreign Trade – Internal Trade – Trade Policies – Impact of Trade and Fiscal Policies.
  2. Direct and Indirect Taxes.
  3. Monetary Policies – Banking and Insurance.
  4. Drain of Wealth.
 15
IV Industrialization of India under Colonialism
  1. Industrial Revolution – Establishment of Colonialism in India – Deindustrialization of India.
  2. Nature of Industrialization in India under the British – Phases before 1857 – Cotton, Jute, Iron and Steel Industries.
  3. Labour Market and Organizations – Problems of Indian Industries under Colonial Rule.
 15
V Teacher Specific Module Conduct classroom presentations, discussions, debates, book reviews, etc., for developing students' interest in the course. 5
V Teacher Specific Module Directions: Conduct classroom presentations, discussions, debates, book reviews, etc., for developing students' interest in the course. 5

Essential Readings

Essential Reading Specific to Module - I

Sl. No. Reference
1 A.R. Desai, Social Background of Indian Nationalism.
2 Bipan Chandra, Nationalism and Colonialism in Modern India.
3 Shekar Bandyopadyay, From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India.
4 Sumit Sarkar, Modern India 1885–1947.
5 Habib, Irfan, Dharma Kumar & Tapan Raychaudhuri (Eds.), The Cambridge Economic History of India, 1987.
6 R.C. Dutt, Economic History of India under Early British Rule.

Essential Reading Specific to Module - II

Sl. No. Reference
1 Bipan Chandra, Nationalism and Colonialism in Modern India.
2 Shekar Bandyopadyay, From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India.
3 Sumit Sarkar, Modern India 1885–1947.
4 Habib, Irfan, Dharma Kumar & Tapan Raychaudhuri (Eds.), The Cambridge Economic History of India, 1987.
5 R.C. Dutt, Economic History of India under Early British Rule.

Essential Reading Specific to Module - III

Sl. No. Reference
1 Roy, Tirthankar (1999), Traditional Industry in the Economy of Colonial India, London: Cambridge University Press.
2 Roy, Tirthankar (2011), Economic History of India 1857–1947, New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
3 Morris, M.D. (1969), Indian Economy in the Nineteenth Century: A Symposium, Delhi: Indian Economic and Social History Association.
4 Shekhar Bandyopadyay, From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India.
5 Tara Chand, History of Freedom Movement in India.

Essential Reading Specific to Module - IV

Sl. No. Reference
1 A.R. Desai, Social Background of Indian Nationalism.
2 Sumit Sarkar, Modern India 1885–1947.
3 Sumit Sarkar, The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, 1903–1908.
4 R.C. Majumdar, History of India's Struggle for Freedom.
5 Roy, Tirthankar (1999), Traditional Industry in the Economy of Colonial India, London: Cambridge University Press.
6 Roy, Tirthankar (2011), Economic History of India 1857–1947, New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
7 Morris, M.D. (1969), Indian Economy in the Nineteenth Century: A Symposium, Delhi: Indian Economic and Social History Association.

Assessment Rubrics

Evaluation Type Marks
End Semester Evaluation (ESE) 70
Continuous Evaluation (CE)
  • Test Paper - 1
  • Test Paper - 2
  • Assignment
  • Seminar
  • Book / Article Review
 30
Total 100