Tirthankar Roy Knihy

"A radical new reading of the emergence of modern India, one in which the interaction between the environment and the economy takes the centerstage"-- Provided by publisher

In a journey spanning 2,000 years, this book describes the ties of trade, migration and investment between India and the rest of the world, showing how changing patterns of globalisation reverberated on economic policy, politics and political ideology within India. A global history written on India's terms, this book marks a new approach to the study of Indian history.

Focusing on the evolution of traditional industries in South Asia, this book challenges the notion that colonialism solely harmed craft manufacturing. Through research on five specific industries, it reveals that these sectors adapted positively during the Industrial Revolution, influencing the development of major industries in post-independence India. Tirthankar Roy provides a nuanced perspective on the interplay between tradition and modernity, offering valuable insights into the region's economic and social history.

Exploring the complexities of British colonialism in India, this work examines the dual legacy of wealth and poverty resulting from colonial rule. It highlights how British governance led to economic disruption and famine for many, while simultaneously fostering improvements in life expectancy and prosperity for certain sectors. The author analyzes the paradox of nineteenth-century capitalism, revealing the challenges faced by the impoverished and the shortcomings of an underfunded government, ultimately providing a nuanced perspective on this historical period.

Distinct in its inclusive coverage of different methods of analysis and its comparative approach, this pioneering text provides readers with an essential first introduction to the economic history of colonialism, helping them develop informed views of colonialism as a force in shaping the modern world.

The analysis in this new edition delves deeper into the rise of the British Empire in South Asia, incorporating recent research to extend its timespan. This expanded perspective offers a more comprehensive understanding of the economic history of early modern India and enriches the historiographical context surrounding this pivotal period.

The comprehensive history of the handloom weaving industry in India highlights the resilience of skill-intensive handmade textiles against large-scale competition. It emphasizes the significance of handmade goods and high-quality manual labor in shaping modern India, showcasing how these traditional practices have thrived and contributed positively to the nation's development.

From the end of the eighteenth century, two distinct global processes began to transform livelihoods and living conditions in the South Asia region. These were the rise of British colonial rule and globalization, that is, the integration of the region in the emerging world markets for goods, capital, and labour services. Two hundred years later, India was the home to many of the world's poorest people as well as one of the fastest growing market economies in theworld. Does a study of the past help to explain the paradox of growth amidst poverty? The Economic History of India: 1857-2010 claims that the roots of this paradox go back to India's colonial past, when internal factors like geography and external forces like globalization and imperial rule createdprosperity in some areas and poverty in others.