Indian Economy | India on the Eve of Independence | Class 12th | Ncert Crash Course | UPSC | SSC

In this video, we are going to understand what was the condition of India just before Independence in 1947 — socially, economically, and politically — as explained in Class 12 NCERT Political Science, Chapter: India on the Eve of Independence.

🇮🇳 Political Condition of India before Independence

By the 1940s, India was under British colonial rule for almost 200 years.
The British had complete control over administration, army, and economy.
Indian leaders were demanding Purna Swaraj (complete independence), and mass movements like:

Non-Cooperation Movement

Civil Disobedience Movement

Quit India Movement (1942)
had already shaken British authority.

But at the same time, communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims were rising, and the demand for a separate Muslim nation (Pakistan) became strong under the Muslim League.

⚔️ Partition and Communal Violence

As Independence came closer, the country also faced the painful reality of Partition.
India was divided into India and Pakistan in 1947, leading to:

Massive migration across borders

One of the largest refugee crises in world history

Communal riots in Punjab, Bengal, Delhi, and other regions

Nearly 10–15 million people displaced and around 1 million deaths

So, Independence came with freedom on one side and tragedy on the other.

📉 Economic Condition: A Poor and Backward Economy

At the time of Independence, India had a very weak economy:

More than 70% people depended on agriculture

Agriculture was backward, dependent on monsoon

Very few industries, mostly controlled by British companies

Low literacy rate (around 16–18%)

High poverty, unemployment, and poor health facilities

India was basically an underdeveloped country with huge challenges ahead.

🏛️ Princely States: A Big Political Challenge

Apart from British India, there were around 565 Princely States ruled by kings and nawabs.
They were given the option to:

Join India
Join Pakistan

Or remain independent

Integrating these states into India was a huge task, later handled successfully by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V.P. Menon.

🌍 International Situation

India was becoming independent at a time when the world had just come out of World War II.
Many countries in Asia and Africa were also struggling against colonialism.
India was expected to play a major role in the newly emerging world order.

🔥 Conclusion: Freedom with Heavy Responsibilities

So, India on the eve of Independence was:
✅ Politically free but socially divided
✅ Full of hope but also fear
✅ Economically poor but rich in diversity and culture

The new leaders had to deal with:

Nation building

Refugee rehabilitation

Economic development

Social unity

Writing a new Constitution

Freedom was just the beginning — the real challenge was building a nation