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Question 12.
Highlight the salient features of India’s pre-independence occupational structure.
India’s occupational structure during the pre-independence period clearly reflected the underdeveloped and colonial nature of the economy. Most people were engaged in traditional occupations, with very limited industrial employment.
One of the most important features was the overdependence on agriculture. Nearly 70–75% of the working population was engaged in agriculture and allied activities. This heavy dependence increased pressure on land and kept productivity and incomes extremely low.
A second key feature was the very small share of industry in employment. Manufacturing activities employed only about 10–12% of the workforce. Modern industries were limited and largely confined to a few urban centres, while large-scale industrial employment remained insignificant.
Traditional village industries and handicrafts were in decline due to British policies and competition from machine-made goods. As a result, many artisans were forced to abandon their traditional occupations and take up agriculture as a means of survival.
The service sector employed around 13–15% of the population. Most jobs in this sector were related to administration, trade, transport, and personal services, and were largely urban-based.
Another notable feature was the lack of occupational mobility. Social constraints, caste rigidities, and lack of modern education restricted people from moving from traditional occupations to better-paying jobs.
Conclusion
To sum up, India’s pre-independence occupational structure was characterised by agricultural dominance, weak industrial base, declining handicrafts, limited services, and low productivity, all of which reflected the backward and colonial nature of the economy.