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Book No. – 19 (Sociology)
Book Name – Social Background of Indian Nationalism (A.R. Desai)
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1. Transport in Pre-British India
2. Introduction of Modern Means of Transport
3. Their Lop-sided Development
4. Railways, their Progressive Significance
5. Prerequisites for the Sound Development of Transport
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Moderns Means of Transport and Rise of Indian Nationalism
Chapter – 8
Table of Contents
Transport in Pre-British India
- The role of modern transport (railways, buses, steamships) in the consolidation of nations is crucial, particularly in the nineteenth century, the period of emerging nationalism.
- The invention of modern transport in the nineteenth century helped consolidate nations like England and France, enhancing their economic and cultural unity.
- In India, the spread of railways and motor buses played a key role in forging the Indian people into a nation.
- Transport systems are determined by a country’s economic development; India had a weak transport system before British rule due to scientific and technical backwardness.
- Pre-British India had an autarchic village economy, where most of the population lived in isolated villages, limiting the improvement of transport systems.
- Weak economic conditions perpetuated weak transport systems, which hindered further economic development.
- Most people lived in isolated villages, and trade was limited to a few valuable, easily transportable goods like drugs, silks, and precious stones.
- The movement of goods was mostly done by men or animals, with bullock carts used for longer distances during the dry season.
- In some regions, like Bengal, rivers and bayous enabled local and long-distance carriage by water, and river systemslike the Ganges, Indus, Krishna, and Godavari facilitated small-scale transport.
- During Mogul times, there were a few roads connecting local capitals, but the British made little effort to build roads until after they became rulers.
- The weak transport system in pre-British India prevented the development of large-scale economic, social, and cultural life.
- Mass exchange for economic, social, and cultural purposes was impossible due to the lack of quick travel.
- While a few traders, learned individuals, state officials, and pilgrims traveled, the majority of the population remained isolated in villages, rarely leaving.
- Due to the lack of social exchange, people developed only local village or caste consciousness, unable to form national consciousness or a broader outlook.