1.2.2. Industrialisation in Independent India

We saw in the earlier section how the colonial state had an important role in the way industrialisation and urbanisation took place in India. Here we very briefly touch upon how the independent Indian state played an active role in promoting industrialisation. And in some sense was responding to the impact that colonialism had on the growth of industry in India.

This chunk describes how the independent Indian government took proactive steps to foster industrialisation while addressing the legacy of colonialism. After gaining independence in 1947, the Indian state recognized the need to build a robust industrial sector to reduce economic dependency on former colonial powers. This included implementing policies that supported local industries and aimed at reversing the negative impacts of colonial exploitation.

Think of a school after being taken over by new management. The new principal wants to improve the school’s facilities and encourage student participation to offset years of neglect. Similarly, the Indian government aimed to revitalize the economy and create jobs for its citizens, akin to the new management prioritizing student needs.

For Indian nationalists the issue of economic exploitation under colonial rule was a central issue. Images of pre-colonial fabled riches of India contrasted with the poverty of British India. The Swadeshi movement strengthened the loyalty to the national economy. Modern ideas made people realise that poverty was preventable. Indian nationalists saw rapid industrialisation of the economy as the path towards both growth and social equity.

This section explains that Indian nationalists, inspired by the exploitation they witnessed during colonial rule, believed in reconstructing the economy. They viewed industrialisation as essential for economic independence and a means to create equitable growth. The Swadeshi movement, which emphasized the use of Indian-made goods, helped foster a sense of pride and loyalty toward local industries and discouraged reliance on British imports.

Imagine a community that has been dependent on outside sources for food. They decide to start a community garden to grow their own vegetables, realizing that with effort, they can become self-sufficient. Similarly, Indian nationalists wanted their country to thrive independently and recognized that local industry would help alleviate poverty.

Many new industrial towns emerged in India in the years after Independence. May be some of you live in such towns. Find out more about towns, like Bokaro, Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur. Find out whether such industrial towns exist in your region.

Post-independence, the Indian government established several industrial towns to support the manufacturing sector. Places like Bokaro, Bhilai, Rourkela, and Durgapur were developed as centers for industrial activity, focusing on steel production and other heavy industries. The creation of these towns was strategic, facilitating job creation and regional economic development, crucial for India’s growth.

Consider how a new tech hub like Silicon Valley was created to bring together tech companies and talent to foster innovation and economic growth. Similarly, the Indian government established industrial towns to concentrate industries and create opportunities for employment in the wake of independence.

You would be more than aware of increasing urbanisation in India. Recent years of globalisation have led to enormous expansion and change of cities. In the 21st century, India will be witnessing fast pace of urbanisation with the ambitious scheme of ‘Smart City’ initiated by the Government of India.

This chunk discusses the trend of rapid urbanisation in India, especially after liberalization and globalization. Urban areas are expected to expand significantly, with initiatives like the 'Smart City' project aimed at transforming cities into more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced spaces. This reflects both the demographic shifts and economic strategies in modern India.

Think of a small town that begins to modernize as more residents move in and businesses thrive. New roads, technology, and services emerge to accommodate the growing population, much like India’s initiative for Smart Cities aims to improve urban living standards and manage urban growth effectively.

Writing on the different kinds of urbanisation witnesses in the first two decades after independence sociologist M.S.A. Rao argued that in India many villages all over India are becoming increasingly subject to the impact of urban influences.

This section highlights how urban influences began affecting villages, stemming from the growth of nearby industrial towns. Urbanization in India is not just about people moving to cities; it's also about villages adapting to urban influences, whether through migration or economic interactions. Rao identifies different impacts based on a village's relationship with a city.

Think of a small village that starts to receive a lot of visitors from a nearby city. As visitors come, local shops begin to sell urban goods and services, and some residents might even decide to move to the city for work. In this way, urban influences gradually reshape the village. The same phenomenon is observed across Indian villages as urban areas expand.

In 1951, 17.29% of India’s population i.e., 62.44 million people, were living in 2,843 towns. In 2011, 31.16% of India’s population i.e., 377.10 million people, were living in 7,935 towns. This shows a steady increase in terms of absolute numbers, number of UA/towns and the per cent share of the urban population.

This chunk illustrates the significant increase in urban population over 60 years, indicating a shift in demographics. The proportion of people living in urban areas grew from 17.29% to 31.16%, highlighting the trend of urban migration as people seek better jobs, education, and living conditions.

Imagine a camp where, initially, only a handful of people lived. As services and opportunities grow, more people start flocking to the camp for its resources. This camp slowly transforms into a bustling town. This growth mirrors India’s urbanization trend, where villages and small towns evolve into urban hotspots.

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