Economic History of Kerala from 1800 to 1947 AD : Malabar and Travancore /
Prakash, B. A.
Economic History of Kerala from 1800 to 1947 AD : Malabar and Travancore / - 1st ed. - Trivandrum: Moden Books, 2025. - 252p.
A considerable amount of literature is available on the political and social history of Kerala during the period from 1800 AD to 1947 AD. However, there are no studies on the economic history of Travancore and Malabar during this period. This is a serious gap in the history of Kerala. This book addresses this issue.The Malabar region remained as backward due to two sets of factors viz. (1) the unfavourable and extractive policies pursued by the colonial power in the spheres of agriculture, industry, infrastructure, trade and commerce; and (2) the caste system, and the social practices arising out of the system, that prevailed in Malabar. The colonial land and agricultural policies had led to the pauperisation of tenants and actual cultivators. However, the colonial rulers had taken steps to start railway lines, develop ports, construct roads, canals, and promote school education.Compared to Malabar, the Travancore region witnessed more economic changes due to the British superintendence of Travancore administration. It resulted in the introduction of a number of new plantation crops, modern factory-type industries, the construction of roads, the development of inland water transport, the introduction of railways, electricity generation and motor transport, and the introduction of the Western system of education. However, vast areas of forest land were given to colonial companies by the Travancore government either as grants or at nominal rates for the cultivation of plantation crops such as coffee, tea, and rubber due to colonial pressure.The book is lucid and reader-friendly, and can be used as a basic reading for all those who wish to study the economic history of Kerala.
Contents
List of Tables
Preface
About the Author
Part I : Malabar
1. Agricultural Backwardness
Introduction – Agricultural situation – Colonial policies – Feudal land tenure system – Colonial extraction of agricultural surplus – Prices of agricultural products – Colonial policies in non-agricultural sectors – Institution of caste system
2. Industrial Change
Industrial situation – Colonial policies – Growth in traditional industries – Large scale industries – Industrial employment
3. Infrastructural Sector
Colonial policies – Development of in-land water transport – Ports – Roads – Road transport – Railways
4. Educational Change
Educational situation – Colonial policies – Basel mission – Growth in educational institutions – Literacy rate – Educational change among different communities 5. Conclusion
Part II : Travancore
6. Agricultural Change
Agricultural situation – Population supported by agriculture – Important crops – Livestock – Factors contributing to agricultural change – Agricultural policies – Colonial influence – Land tenure policy – Obstacles to agricultural development
7. Industrial Change
Industrial situation – Policies on industrial development – Colonial investment – Traditional industries – Coir and cashew industries – Industrial growth in factories
8. Transport and Power Sectors
Inland water transport – Ports – Roads – Road transport – Railways – Electricity generation
9. Educational Change
Educational situation – Promotion of education by rulers – Introduction of western system of education by missionaries – Growth of educational institutions – Literacy rate
10. Conclusion
Annexure I
Agricultural Development of Kerala from 1800
Annexure II
List of B A Prakash’s Articles Published on Agrarian/ Agricultural History of Kerala
Economic History- Kerala
Economic History-Malabar
Economic History-Travancore
330.95483 / PRA/E
Economic History of Kerala from 1800 to 1947 AD : Malabar and Travancore / - 1st ed. - Trivandrum: Moden Books, 2025. - 252p.
A considerable amount of literature is available on the political and social history of Kerala during the period from 1800 AD to 1947 AD. However, there are no studies on the economic history of Travancore and Malabar during this period. This is a serious gap in the history of Kerala. This book addresses this issue.The Malabar region remained as backward due to two sets of factors viz. (1) the unfavourable and extractive policies pursued by the colonial power in the spheres of agriculture, industry, infrastructure, trade and commerce; and (2) the caste system, and the social practices arising out of the system, that prevailed in Malabar. The colonial land and agricultural policies had led to the pauperisation of tenants and actual cultivators. However, the colonial rulers had taken steps to start railway lines, develop ports, construct roads, canals, and promote school education.Compared to Malabar, the Travancore region witnessed more economic changes due to the British superintendence of Travancore administration. It resulted in the introduction of a number of new plantation crops, modern factory-type industries, the construction of roads, the development of inland water transport, the introduction of railways, electricity generation and motor transport, and the introduction of the Western system of education. However, vast areas of forest land were given to colonial companies by the Travancore government either as grants or at nominal rates for the cultivation of plantation crops such as coffee, tea, and rubber due to colonial pressure.The book is lucid and reader-friendly, and can be used as a basic reading for all those who wish to study the economic history of Kerala.
Contents
List of Tables
Preface
About the Author
Part I : Malabar
1. Agricultural Backwardness
Introduction – Agricultural situation – Colonial policies – Feudal land tenure system – Colonial extraction of agricultural surplus – Prices of agricultural products – Colonial policies in non-agricultural sectors – Institution of caste system
2. Industrial Change
Industrial situation – Colonial policies – Growth in traditional industries – Large scale industries – Industrial employment
3. Infrastructural Sector
Colonial policies – Development of in-land water transport – Ports – Roads – Road transport – Railways
4. Educational Change
Educational situation – Colonial policies – Basel mission – Growth in educational institutions – Literacy rate – Educational change among different communities 5. Conclusion
Part II : Travancore
6. Agricultural Change
Agricultural situation – Population supported by agriculture – Important crops – Livestock – Factors contributing to agricultural change – Agricultural policies – Colonial influence – Land tenure policy – Obstacles to agricultural development
7. Industrial Change
Industrial situation – Policies on industrial development – Colonial investment – Traditional industries – Coir and cashew industries – Industrial growth in factories
8. Transport and Power Sectors
Inland water transport – Ports – Roads – Road transport – Railways – Electricity generation
9. Educational Change
Educational situation – Promotion of education by rulers – Introduction of western system of education by missionaries – Growth of educational institutions – Literacy rate
10. Conclusion
Annexure I
Agricultural Development of Kerala from 1800
Annexure II
List of B A Prakash’s Articles Published on Agrarian/ Agricultural History of Kerala
Economic History- Kerala
Economic History-Malabar
Economic History-Travancore
330.95483 / PRA/E