Social and economic life of Orissa during the colonial period 1803 1947

Abstract

The present research work titled Social and Economic Life of Orissa. During the Colonial Period (1803-1947) is a comprehensive and analytical study on the socio-economic life of the people of Orissa under the British rule. It is a regional study in nature and for better outcome covers the entire period of the British rule in Orissa. The thesis is divided into seven chapters and analyses social structure, social institutions, social changes and various aspects of economic life such as agriculture, measures adopted for settlement of land, land revenue system, irrigation and canal system, natural calamities, crafts, industry, means of communication, trade and commerce of Orissa during the colonial rule. The thesis reveals how the 19th century Orissan society was conservative and backward in nature and analyses some irrational and evil social practices such as sati, purdah, female infanticide, child marriage, polygamy, dowry system, caste rigidity, untouchability, meriah or human sacrifice etc., which make the Orissan society backward and stagnant. It also examines the subordinate position of women in the society. Light has also been thrown on the reformative steps undertaken by the Government. It also attempts to evaluate the socio-economic changes and their impact on the Orissan society. The colonial Government exercised monopoly in the matters of economy and controlled all aspects of economic life such as agriculture, land revenue system, crafts, industry and trade and commerce etc. The British Government commercialized agriculture in Orissa and established monopoly on salt trade. As a result, the people of Orissa were subjected to poverty, rural indebtedness and economic backwardness. Moreover, the research work reveals how the British Government was indifferent and apathetic towards the economic problems of Orissa and how it followed an exploitive, defective and self-centered economic policy which was detrimental to the economic growth of Orissa. newline