Deindustrialisation

The term deindustrialisation and its associated causes were predominant in the regions of India during the 19th and 20th centuries. A major event that provides glimpses to notions of deindustrialization is the massive decline in the rate of industries that caters to textiles as well as handicrafts in India. The prime reason behind these is the illegitimate and irrational policies and rules that are initiated by the British imperialist rule. This study will keep its major focus on determining the reason that led to the severe reduction in the industries of India and resulted in the dissolving of the industries.

History of Deindustrialisation in the Indian Context

The term deindustrialisation refers to the reduction in the activity of industries or it may also be termed the decline in the capacity of industries for a particular region. This notion started in the 18th century in Britain and has successively expanded all over the world. The notion associated with the term “deindustrialisation” in India is majorly interlinked with the introduction of British Rule in India during a time period of 1757 to 1858.

Defining Deindustrialisation

The term deindustrialisation refers to a process that helps in transforming the agriculture-based economy of a country into a diminishing one. Between the years 1757 to 1947, in the history of India, the first industrial revolution happened in England based on which several technical changes have been introduced to the economy of Colonised India. During this time, the British monopoly started evolving more prominently based on the identified opportunities for gaining profit from the Indian market. During this specific period, an economic and social change has been in India. 

Causes of Deindustrialisation

The causes of the deindustrialisation were stated in the below section:

• The diminishing court culture related to the late Mughal days and the disappearance of the old aristocracy was considered the reasons for deindustrialisation
• With the influx of several foreign influences, a distinctive change was seen in the ruling system of the government in the colonised India
• In the competition with the goods that are made with machines had been able to conquer the market of the colonised India

Consequences of  Deindustrialisation

One of the main consequences of the deindustrialisation that happened in colonised India is the job cuts.  The famous masculine and the other handicraft goods that are specially made by the Indians and exported to the global market have lost the competition with the machine-made goods. As the people started realising that the machine-made goods are cheaper in comparison to the handmade goods produced by the Indian artisan, the market was won by the goods that are produced in the factories of Britain. Unemployment has hit the Indian economy more maliciously. 

Impact on Indian Economy Due to Deindustrialisation

In accordance with the major consequences of deindustrialisation, the underemployment and the concept of unemployment were rooted in the occupational structure of India. The number of workers related to the job of agricultural activity was 7.17 cores in 1881. This particular number was increased at the rate of 10.02 cores displaying the decline in industrial activities. From 1881 to 1931, the industrial activities in India declined at a severe rate , from 2.11 cores to 1.29 cores. The demand for Indian goods in the global market decreased at a significant rate that influenced the poor state of the Indian economy. 

19th Century Deindustrialization and Ruralisation

In accordance with the records provided by the history of the Indian civilisation, being influenced by the deindustrialisation, in 19th-century ruralisation happened. As a major consequence of the Indian de-industrialisation, most of the artists and artisans were shifted to rural-based professionals. As has been stated before, the close examination of British economic policy, the percentage of the population that started depending on agriculture was hiked at that moment as the Indian handmade goods started witnessing failure in competition to the British goods. 

Conclusion 

In concluding the study, it is well noticed that an extensive exploration has been conducted that relates to the cause that led to the initiation of deindustrialisation. The reason behind this is an improper implementation of irrational policies by the British government. Severe consequences are acknowledged in the industrious that are initiated by the Indian civilians. From the records, it is noted the economy of an Indian village based on traditional culture transformed into a bleeding victim, exploited by the British government with their unjust policies. In better words, these policies slaughtered the core industries of India and dispelled them from their roots.