Occupation Of India Essay

The history of India is one of occupation, economic exploitation, poverty and war. Following two hundred years of colonial rule, India emerged as an independent nation in 1947. From 1947 to present day, India experienced internal conflict following the creation of Pakistan following the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which led to sectarian violence. Following independence, India was involved in regional conflicts with China (1962) and two additional wars with Pakistan (1965) and again in (1971) with the creation of Bangladesh.
Economic policies following British independence were a mixture of social programs aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty and included state ownership of large businesses such as communications (radio and television),

Lead by Gandhi and his non-violence approach to change, brokered a deal with the British to leave India in exchange for India’s support for Britain in World War II. A condition for British withdraw involved the reconciliation of the Muslim League and the India Congress Party. This reconciliation resulted in the separation of Muslims and Hindus and resulted in the creation of Pakistan. India’s first post-colonial Prime Minister was Jawaharial Nehru. He served from 1947-1964 and implemented socialist’s policies of public and private ownership, invested heavily in industrial sectors and structured polices of protectionism advocating import substitution policies. These protectionist policies had the effect of driving down Indian exports from 1.38% in 1955 to 1.05 in 1960 and .91in 1965 (Alaiya, 2014). India’s share of world population to GDP declined from 4.2% in 1950 to 3.1% by 1973 with an annual average GDP Growth of 3.54 %. (Bhagwati, 2013) The focus during his tenure was building an industrial infrastructure, increasing agricultural production and improving education (Gosai,

Nehru doubted the possibility of private sector investment as a means to support an economy (DeLong, 2001). Though GDP averaged 3.54% during 1950-1973, it’s comparisons to other industrialized eastern nations China (5.02%) and Japan (9.29%) during the same time period may have contributed to the perception of stagnant growth; however, the annual GDP growth rate of 3.54% was higher than the United Kingdom (2.93%) and slightly less than the United States (3.93%) (Bhagwati, p. 8a