Introduction Bank nationalization in India was a landmark event in the economic history of the country. Initiated in two phases—first in 1969 and later in 1980—it aimed to bring the banking sector under state control to serve broader social and economic goals. Prior to nationalization, the banking system was dominated by private entities that catered […]
Introduction The early census operations in India, initiated under British colonial rule, were significant for administrative and political purposes. The first synchronous census was conducted in 1881, although several regional attempts were made prior to that. The early census was not just a demographic exercise but also a tool for colonial governance and control. Pre-1881
Introduction The economic reforms introduced in India during the 1990s marked a turning point in the country’s development trajectory. Triggered by a severe balance of payments crisis, these reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy, reducing state control, and integrating with the global market. Often referred to as the LPG reforms—Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization—they fundamentally altered
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Introduction The Herschell Committee, formed in 1892, was a significant step in the financial reforms introduced by the British colonial administration in India. Its primary purpose was to examine the question of currency standard and recommend measures to stabilize the Indian monetary system, especially in the context of the fluctuating value of the silver rupee.
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Introduction Bird Heiglers & Co. was one of the prominent European commercial enterprises operating in colonial India during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It played a vital role in the trade and industrial sectors, particularly in mining and jute, and serves as a classic example of how British capital and enterprise dominated Indian industries
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Introduction Globalisation refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of economies, cultures, and populations across the world through the exchange of goods, services, information, technology, and people. In the Indian context, globalisation gained momentum especially after the economic reforms of 1991, which opened the country to global markets and competition. Phases of Globalisation in India
Introduction Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate poet, philosopher, and cultural reformer, held a complex and critical view of nationalism. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced nationalism as a unifying force against colonial rule, Tagore saw it as potentially divisive and dehumanizing. He believed that nationalism, particularly in its aggressive or Western form, prioritized the
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Introduction M.N. Roy (Manabendra Nath Roy), a revolutionary, political theorist, and philosopher, made significant contributions to modern Indian political thought through his doctrine of Radical Humanism. Originally a Marxist and founder of the Communist Party of India, Roy later grew disillusioned with orthodox communism and developed a new ideological framework centered around individual freedom, rationality,
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Introduction Jawaharlal Nehru’s concept of scientific humanism formed a central pillar of his worldview and governance strategy. As an architect of modern India, Nehru combined humanist values with a scientific approach to build a progressive, secular, and democratic nation. Scientific humanism, in Nehru’s thought, was about applying rationality, evidence-based reasoning, and technological progress to improve
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Introduction Mahatma Gandhi’s political philosophy was deeply rooted in ethics, spirituality, and the Indian cultural tradition. Unlike Western political ideologies that often separated politics from morality, Gandhi saw no such division. His political activism was a reflection of his spiritual and philosophical beliefs. Concepts like truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), self-rule (Swaraj), and self-discipline formed the
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