A People's History of India 25 – Indian Economy Under Early British Rule, 1757 –1857

This volume in the People's History of India series gives a general account of Indian economy in the first century of British rule (1757-1857).

It describes the changes in Indian economy brought about by the pressure for tribute, the British land settlements, and the triumph of free trade.

In order to set these changes in a proper perspective, it begins by furnishing a survey of pre-colonial economic conditions.

A notable feature of the book is its reference to how aspects of Indian economy were seen and interpreted by contemporary observers.

This is accomplished partly by a rich collection of extracts from the sources.

There are also special notes on current interpretations of eighteenth-century history, the nature of tribute or drain of wealth from India to England, and the scope and problems of historical demography.