Chapter - 1
Structural Change
️ Structural Changes :-
Structural change brings about a change in the structure of the society itself. It means that when changes start coming in the institutions or rules running in the society, then it is called structural change.
For example: - In ancient times, there was a transaction of goods or services, but nowadays money is given in exchange for the commodity, not the exchange system.
️ Colonialism :-
The rule of one country over another at one level is considered as colonialism. This rule in India was more influential than any other rule. Colonialism gave direction to changes in social structure and culture and exerted many influences on them.
Structural changes due to colonialism in India :-
Impact of Colonialism on Indian Society British colonialism was based on the capitalist system. It intervened extensively in the economic system, due to which it strengthened. The method of production and distribution of goods also changed.
Started the cultivation of tea by cutting the forest and made many laws to control and administer the forests.
Large influx of people during colonialism: Doctors and lawyers were mainly selected from Bengal and Madras and sent to serve in different parts of the country and abroad. The traffic of businessmen also increased. It did not remain limited to India but extended to the colonies of faraway Asia, Africa and America.
Many people from today's Jharkhand state came to Assam for the purpose of working in the tea gardens. Indian laborers and skilled service personnel were sent by ships to distant Asia, Africa and America.
Colonialism also brought changes in legal, cultural and architecture. Some changes were implemented in a systematic way.
For example, the Western education system was brought to India with the aim of creating a class of Indians who would be helpful in maintaining British colonialism. This western education system became the medium of nationalist consciousness and anti-colonial consciousness.
British colonialism is still a complex part of our lives. We can take the example of the English language.
Many Indians have made excellent literary works in the English language. Due to the knowledge of English, it has got a special place. Those who do not have knowledge of English have to face difficulties in the field of employment. With the knowledge of English, now the doors of opportunities have been opened for the Dalits also.
️ Capitalism :-
An economy in which the means of production are owned by a few specific people. In this, the emphasis is on earning maximum profits, it is known for mobility, growth, expansion, innovation, technology and better use of labor.
This led to the market being seen as a comprehensive globalization. Colonialism prevailed in India also due to the development of capitalism and this process had an impact on the social, cultural, economic and political structure of India.
️ Industrialization :-
Industrialization is one such process. Under which production is done not on the basis of human labor but by machines. Production is done on a very large scale here.
In industrial societies, more and more people engaged in the employment profession work in factories, offices and shops.
️ Travel :-
Movement of persons from one place to another in order to find work or to live.
️ Modern Iron and Steel Center :-
Bhilai, Bokaro, Durgapur, Rourkela.
️ Sanskritization :-
Refer to the process by which middle or lower castes seek upward social mobility by limiting the ritualistic and social behavior/customs of the castes above them.
️ Trade centers developed by the British :-
Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai.
️ Urbanization :-
The process by which the population increases in cities and people living in rural areas also assimilate the lifestyle of urban society.
Linking urbanization with industrialization :-
Industrialization is related to the rise of mechanical production, which is dependent on non-human resources of energy, in which most of the people work in factories, offices and shops and due to this the number of people in the agricultural business is decreasing. The urbanization of the colonial period weakened the existence of old cities and replaced them with the emergence and development of new colonial cities.
Urbanization can be seen by linking it with industrialization. Both are simultaneous processes, industrial degradation has also been observed at times. Some old, traditional urban centers declined in India. In contrast to the increase in production and manufacturing in Britain, there was a decline in India. The existence of ancient cities like Surat and Masulipatnam weakened.
Industrial changes during colonialism :-
- Modern cities like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras which became prevalent under colonial rule became stronger.
- Cotton from Bombay, jute from Calcutta, Kahwa from Madras, sugar, indigo and cotton were exported to Britain.
- Initially the people of India came towards the agricultural sector due to industrialization unlike the British.
- Thus new social groups and new social relations emerged.
- After independence, the economic condition of India could be improved only through industrialization.
️ Tea Gardening :-
Official reports show that the colonial government used to recruit laborers through wrong means.
The laborers were forced to work cheaply in the plantations. The planters got benefit from this.
The owners of the gardens, the British and their cousins lived in huge bungalows. He had everything he needed. His life was full of glare.
️ Industrialization in independent India :-
- Industrialization was actively promoted by independent India.
- The Swadeshi movement strengthened India's allegiance to the national economy.
- Rapid and large-scale industrialization brought about improvement in economic conditions and social justice.
- Heavy mechanized industries developed. The industries making them, the expansion of the public sector and the large co-operative sector were considered important.
️ Urbanization in independent India :-
Due to globalization, cities were greatly expanded.
️ M. s . a . According to Rao, the effects of cities on the Indian village :-
There are some villages from where a large number of people go to distant cities to find employment. Many migrants live not only in Indian cities but also abroad.
Urban influence is seen in villages which are located near industrial cities like Bhilai.
The emergence and development of metropolis is the third type of urban influence which affects the neighboring villages. Some border villages completely merge with the expansion of the city. Whereas the areas where people do not live are used for urban development.
