Indian Economy Under Early British Rule 1757–1857
Published in association with Aligarh Historians Society
A People's History of India 25October 2022
6.25 x 9.5 inches
(xii+128) 140 pages
ISBN : 978-93-82381-44-0
This volume in the A People's History of India series fills a void in the current literature in modern Indian economic history, which lacks a general account of Indian economy in the first century of British rule (1757–1857). R.C. Dutt's classic Economic History is now over a hundred years old. The present monograph takes account of both the research and controversies that have taken place since R.C. Dutt's time, and seeks to present a coherent description of the changes in Indian economy brought about by the pressure for tribute, the British land settlements and the triumph of free trade. In order to set these changes in a proper perspective, it begins by furnishing a survey of pre-colonial economic conditions (in the earlier part of the eighteenth century). A notable feature of the book is its constant reference to how aspects of Indian economy were seen and interpreted by contemporary observers. This is accomplished partly by a rich collection of extracts from the sources. There are also special notes on current interpretations of eighteenth-century history, the nature of tribute or drain of wealth from India to England, and the scope and problems of historical demography. There are bibliographical notes and a very helpful index.
The book constantly keeps in view the needs of the general readers as well as the student. Anyone seeking to understand the major underpinnings of our colonial economy would find in this book much new insight and information.
'This slim volume contains the distilled wisdom of a reputed historian who has a distinct approach to the study of the past and contemporary societies. Irfan Habib employs the materialistic interpretation of history and social dialectics to draw connections between seemingly unconnected and complex facts.'
C.P. Bhambhri, Business Standard