Answers of Learning Sheet-4

1. During the British colonial rule, the various social development indicators were not quite
encouraging. The overall literacy level was Less than 16%. Out of this, the female literacy level
was at a negligible low of about 7% (Fill-up the blanks with correct answer)

2. The second stage of demographic transition began after 1921. (1921/1930) (Fill-up the blank with
correct option)

3. Before 1921, India was in the first stage of demographic transition. The second stage began after
1921.However, neither the population of India nor the rate of population growth at this stage was
very high. (Fill-up the blank with correct option)

4. During British colonial rule, Life expectancy was also very low 44 years in contrast to the present
68 years. (Fill-up the blanks with correct option)

5. Which one of the following was high during British rules in India?
a) Literacy rate
b) Female literacy
c) Infant Mortality rate
d) Life expectancy

6. Which of the following statements does not characterise demographic condition of India on the
eve of independence?
a) Literacy level was less than 16%.
b) Water and air borne diseases were rampant.
c) Mortality rate was low.
d) Life expectancy was 44 years.

7. India’s demographic condition on the eve of independence was characterised by:

a) High level of literacy, high mortality rates, high life expectancy and high level of poverty.
b) Low level of literacy, low mortality rates, low life expectancy and low level of poverty.
c) Low level of literacy, low mortality rates, high life expectancy and high level of poverty.
d) Low level of literacy, high mortality rates, low life expectancy and high level of poverty.

8. Why mortality rate was high during the British rule?

Answer-Lack of adequate public health facilities, the occurrence of frequent natural calamities
and famine resulted in widespread poverty and high mortality rate in India during British rule.
Infant Mortality Rate
The infant mortality rate was quite alarming, about 218 per thousand in contrast to the present
infant mortality rate of 40 per thousand.

9. Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
Answer-
 Literacy Rate
The overall literacy level was less than 16 per cent. Out of this, the female literacy level was at
a negligible low of about seven per cent.
 Infant Mortality Rate
 The infant mortality rate was quite alarming, about 218 per thousand in contrast to the
present infant mortality rate of 40 per thousand.
 Life Expectancy
Life expectancy was also very low—44 years in contrast to the present 68.
 Health
Public health facilities were either unavailable to large chunks of population or, when
available, were highly inadequate.
Consequently, water and air-borne diseases were rampant and took a huge toll on life.
 Demographic Transition
1921 is considered as the year of great divide because after 1921 India has experienced
continuous growth in population due to improvement in health facilities.

10. Give a quantitative appraisal of India’s demographic profile during the colonial period.
Answer- Same as answer no 9

Answers of Learning Sheet-5

1. ___________ is considered as one of the most important contributions of the British.
a) Construction of all-weather roads
b) Introduction of the railways in 1850
c) Introduction of electric telegraph in India
d) The postal services.

2. Choose the statements which truly state about infrastructure condition on the eve of India’s
independence –
a) Roads were constructed by Britishers primarily for movement of army.
b) Railways were introduced in 1820.
c) Indian exports expanded during this period.
d) Britishers took measures to develop inland trade and sea routes.

3. Railways were introduced in India in-

a) 1947
b) 1868
c) 1850
d) 1821

4. Arrange the following events of India before the independence in chronological order-
a) The opening of Suez Canal
b) Introduction of railway.
c) Second stage of demographic transaction.
d) Incorporation of the Tata Iron and Steel Company.
Answer- (b), (a), (d), (c)

5. Write the correct sequence of alternatives given in column II by matching them with
respective terms in column I:
Column I Column II
A. India’s first official census (i) Less than 2%
B. Introduction of railways in India (ii) About 7%
 C. India’s annual growth rate of aggregate (iii) 1850
real output during colonial period
D. Female literacy level at the time of (iv) 1881
Independence

Answer- (iv), (iii) ,(i), (ii)

6. “The introduction of the railways in India was considered as one of the most important
contribution of the British. However, the social benefits, which the Indian people gained owing to
the introduction of the railways, were outweighed by the country’s huge economic loss.” Do you
agree with the above statement? Give valid reason.
Answer- The given statement is correct

 The British introduced railways in India in 1850 and it is considered as one of its most important
contributions.
Railways affected the Indian economy in two ways:
 It enabled people to undertake long-distance travel and break geographical and cultural
barriers.
 It fostered Commercialisation of Indian agriculture and helps to expand the volume of India’s
export, but its benefits rarely accrued to the Indian people. Moreover, it adversely affected the
self-sufficiency of the village economies in India. It is very much evident that social benefits,
which the Indian people gained by the introduction of railways, were thus outweighed by the
country’s huge economic loss.

7. Was there any positive contribution made by the British in India?

Answer- There are few positives of British rule in India.

 Britain introduced a modern, Western-style infrastructure to all aspects and levels of Indian
affairs, which was far more efficient and sophisticated than the creaky, monolithic systems
before British rule.
 Britain also provided India with modern technology, such as the railway network, electricity
and, later, air transport.
 They commercialized Indian agriculture, which now helps us in competing with other
economies.
 They gave birth to communication services in India like postal service, electric telegraph, which
further developed.

8. Mention some of the India’s most crucial economics challenges at the time of independence?
Answer- India’s most crucial economics challenges at the time of independence:

 Little industrialisation and decline of handicrafts.

 Low agricultural output and high imports of grains.

 Low figure of national income and per capita income which showed extreme poverty.

 Very sluggish economic progress.’

 Unemployment and underemployment.