Consider the following statements regarding the infrastructure in British India: 1. The introduction of the electric telegraph was primarily to serve the public interest. 2. The postal services, despite being inadequate, served a useful public purpose. 3. The railways enabled people to break geographical and cultural barriers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 and 3 only. Explanation Infrastructure development in British India, comprising railways, ports, water transport, posts, and telegraphs, was primarily driven by the colonial objective of serving British strategic and economic interests rather than providing basic amenities to the Indian population. However, certain infrastructural developments inadvertently served public utility. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. The introduction of the expensive electric telegraph system was primarily intended to maintain law and order and ensure administrative control for the colonial government. It was not designed primarily to serve the public interest. - Statement 2 is Correct. The postal services, despite being inadequate for the vast dimensions of the country, served a useful public purpose by facilitating communication and connectivity for the general population. - Statement 3 is Correct. The railways, introduced in 1850, enabled people to undertake long-distance travel, which helped break geographical and cultural barriers. This mobility played a crucial role in fostering a sense of national unity and integrating different regions of the country. Key Takeaway The infrastructure developed by the British, such as railways and posts, unintentionally fostered national integration and economic cohesion, even though their primary motive was colonial administration and resource exploitation.

Consider the following statements regarding the infrastructure in British… - NCERT Class 11 Economics MCQ

NCERT Class 11 Economics — Chapter 1: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the infrastructure in British India:

The introduction of the electric telegraph was primarily to serve the public interest.
The postal services, despite being inadequate, served a useful public purpose.
The railways enabled people to break geographical and cultural barriers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Indian Economic Development · Page 12

Options

A1, 2 and 3
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D2 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Infrastructure development in British India, comprising railways, ports, water transport, posts, and telegraphs, was primarily driven by the colonial objective of serving British strategic and economic interests rather than providing basic amenities to the Indian population. However, certain infrastructural developments inadvertently served public utility.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. The introduction of the expensive electric telegraph system was primarily intended to maintain law and order and ensure administrative control for the colonial government. It was not designed primarily to serve the public interest.
Statement 2 is Correct. The postal services, despite being inadequate for the vast dimensions of the country, served a useful public purpose by facilitating communication and connectivity for the general population.
Statement 3 is Correct. The railways, introduced in 1850, enabled people to undertake long-distance travel, which helped break geographical and cultural barriers. This mobility played a crucial role in fostering a sense of national unity and integrating different regions of the country.

Key Takeaway

The infrastructure developed by the British, such as railways and posts, unintentionally fostered national integration and economic cohesion, even though their primary motive was colonial administration and resource exploitation.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

The "invisible items" in the context of India's balance of payments during the colonial period referred to:

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With reference to the industrial sector during the colonial period, consider the following statements: 1. The decline of indigenous handicraft industries created massive unemployment in India. 2. The cotton textile mills were mainly dominated by foreigners and located in Bengal. 3. The jute mills were mainly dominated by Indians and located in western India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the agricultural sector under British rule, consider the following statements: 1. The agricultural sector experienced absolute stagnation with no growth in the aggregate area under cultivation. 2. The stagnation was caused mainly by the land settlement systems introduced by the colonial government. 3. Low levels of technology and negligible use of fertilisers contributed to low productivity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The primary motive of the colonial government’s policy of systematically de-industrialising India was:

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With reference to the railways, consider the following statements: 1. It restricted people from undertaking long-distance travel. 2. It adversely affected the self-sufficiency of village economies. 3. It fostered the commercialisation of Indian agriculture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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