British India Archives - IGNOU CORNER

Did colonialism shape the perceptions of caste? Discuss.

Leave a Comment / MHI-06: Evolution of Social Structures /

Introduction Colonialism had a significant impact on many aspects of Indian society, including how caste was understood, practiced, and categorized. While caste existed in India long before British rule, the colonial administration redefined and institutionalized caste in new ways. This answer explores how colonialism shaped the perception of caste through policies, censuses, administrative practices, and […]

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Discuss the colonial historiography in India.

Leave a Comment / MHI-03: Historiography /

Introduction Colonial historiography in India refers to the body of historical writings produced during the British colonial period. These histories were mainly written by British scholars and administrators who tried to interpret India’s past from a Eurocentric perspective. This form of history-writing had a major influence on how Indian history was studied, taught, and perceived

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Spatial patterns of Modern Commercialisation

Leave a Comment / MHI-05: History of Indian Economy /

Introduction Commercialisation refers to the process where the economy becomes more focused on trade and markets rather than self-sufficiency. In modern India, this process grew rapidly during the British colonial period. Spatial patterns of modern commercialisation refer to how trade, markets, and production were distributed across different regions. In this post, we explore these patterns

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Write a note on the Deindustrialization of Indian economy during Colonial Period.

Leave a Comment / MHI-05: History of Indian Economy /

Introduction Deindustrialization refers to the decline of traditional industries and handicrafts in India during British colonial rule. Before British arrival, India had a strong industrial base, including textile production, metalwork, and artisan crafts. However, colonial policies led to the gradual destruction of these industries, resulting in widespread unemployment and poverty. In this post, we will

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Critically analyse the impact of colonial intervention on tribal economies of Indian subcontinent.

Leave a Comment / MHI-05: History of Indian Economy /

Introduction Before colonial rule, tribal communities in India lived largely self-sufficient lives based on agriculture, hunting, gathering, and shifting cultivation. The British colonial government brought major changes to tribal societies, especially in terms of land rights, forests, and trade. These changes negatively affected tribal economies and ways of life. In this article, we will critically

Critically analyse the impact of colonial intervention on tribal economies of Indian subcontinent. Read More »

Comment on the nature of the colonial forest policy.

Leave a Comment / MHI-04: Political Structures in India /

Introduction The British colonial government introduced a forest policy in India during the 19th century to control and exploit natural resources, especially forests. This policy marked a major shift from traditional community-based forest use to centralized state control. The colonial forest policy had significant economic, environmental, and social effects. In this article, we will explore

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Comment on the nature of the colonial forest policy.

Leave a Comment / MHI-04: Political Structures in India /

Introduction Colonial forest policy in India was a defining element of British imperial governance, deeply affecting the environmental, social, and economic landscapes of the subcontinent. Instituted primarily to serve British economic interests, these policies transformed traditional forest usage, marginalized indigenous communities, and introduced centralized regulation. In this essay, we examine the nature, objectives, and consequences

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In what ways did colonial architecture and city planning reflect British political agenda?

Leave a Comment / MHI-111: Urbanization in India-2 /

Introduction Colonial architecture and city planning in India during British rule were not just functional or aesthetic endeavors—they were powerful tools used to assert dominance, communicate political ideologies, and institutionalize control. The British radically transformed Indian urban spaces through architecture and planning to reflect their own power, superiority, and civilizing mission. This essay explores how

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