📘 Class 11 – Economics
Chapter 1: Development Policies and Experience (1947–90)
Question Paper with Answers
SECTION A: OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
(1 mark each)
Q1. India remained under British rule for nearly how many years?
Answer: About 200 years
Q2. At the time of independence, the majority of Indians depended on which sector?
Answer: Agricultural (Primary) Sector
Q3. What is the process of decline of traditional industries called?
Answer: Deindustrialisation
Q4. Name the most harmful land revenue system introduced by the British.
Answer: Zamindari System
Q5. What was India’s literacy rate around 1947?
Answer: Around 16%
Q6. Which country was India’s main trading partner during British rule?
Answer: Britain
Q7. Life expectancy in India at the time of independence was about:
Answer: 32 years
Q8. Which crops were promoted under commercialization of agriculture?
Answer: Indigo, cotton, tea, jute
SECTION B: VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(2 marks each)
Q9. Mention any two features of India’s economy at the time of independence.
Answer:
- Widespread poverty
- Dependence on agriculture
Q10. What was the main aim of British economic policies in India?
Answer:
The main aim was to serve British economic interests by using Indian resources and markets for Britain’s benefit.
Q11. Why was agriculture backward during British rule?
Answer:
- Use of primitive tools
- Dependence on monsoon
Q12. What were ‘Home Charges’?
Answer:
Home charges were payments made from India’s export earnings to meet expenses of British administration and government in Britain.
Q13. Give two reasons for low industrial development in India.
Answer:
- No capital goods industry
- No government support to Indian industries
SECTION C: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
(4 marks each)
Q14. Explain the Zamindari system and its impact on Indian farmers.
Answer:
- Zamindars were declared owners of land.
- Farmers became tenants on their own land.
- Zamindars collected high rent from peasants.
- There was no incentive to improve land productivity.
- Farmers were exploited and remained poor.
Q15. Describe the nature of foreign trade during British rule.
Answer:
- Foreign trade was controlled by the British.
- India exported raw materials like cotton, jute and tea.
- India imported finished goods and machinery from Britain.
- Trade pattern benefited Britain, not India.
Q16. What is meant by deindustrialisation? Explain its causes.
Answer:
Deindustrialisation refers to the decline of traditional handicrafts and cottage industries.
Causes:
- Flooding of cheap machine-made British goods
- Lack of protection to Indian industries
- Destruction of artisan livelihoods
Q17. Explain the occupational structure of India on the eve of independence.
Answer:
- Around 75% workforce was engaged in agriculture.
- Only about 10% worked in industries.
- About 15% were in services.
- This showed lack of industrial development and job opportunities.
SECTION D: LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
(6 marks each)
Q18. Explain the condition of agriculture in India at the time of independence.
Answer:
- Agriculture was the main occupation of the population.
- Productivity was very low due to primitive tools.
- Irrigation facilities were inadequate.
- Farmers depended heavily on monsoon.
- Frequent famines occurred.
- Commercialization forced farmers to grow cash crops instead of food crops.
- Indebtedness among farmers was widespread.
Q19. Discuss the industrial sector in India under British rule.
Answer:
- Traditional industries declined due to British policies.
- Handloom and handicraft industries were destroyed.
- Modern industries developed only in limited areas.
- Cotton, jute and iron industries served British interests.
- Capital goods industries were absent.
- Industrial growth was uneven and region-specific.
Q20. Explain the demographic condition of India at the time of independence.
Answer:
- India had a large population with low growth rate.
- Death rate was high due to famines and diseases.
- Literacy rate was extremely low, especially among women.
- Health facilities were poor.
- Life expectancy was only around 32 years.
- Poverty and poor living conditions were widespread.
SECTION E: CASE / VALUE BASED QUESTION
(6 marks)
Q21. Why did independent India adopt planned economic development after 1947?
Answer:
- India inherited a backward and stagnant economy.
- Agriculture was unproductive and poverty was widespread.
- Industrial base was weak and dependent on Britain.
- Infrastructure existed only to serve colonial interests.
- Foreign trade was exploitative.
- To overcome these problems, India adopted:
- Five Year Plans
- Public sector development
- Planned industrialisation