On Humans What About India? Part I: Mughals, British, and the Causes of Poverty ~ Bishnupriya Gupta
Feb 14, 2025
Bishnupriya Gupta, a renowned economics professor at the University of Warwick and author of 'An Economic History of India,' dives into the origins of modern India. She discusses the stark differences in living standards between India and England in 1600, highlighting the detrimental impacts of British colonial policies on the Indian economy. Gupta examines the Great Famines of Bengal, revealing British negligence, and critiques both imperial apologists and Indian nationalists. She also connects Mahatma Gandhi's education to India's lag behind East Asia in the 20th century.
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Pre-British Economic Decline
- Indian and British living standards were similar around 1600, with India at about 60-80% of British wages in real terms.
- Indian wages and GDP per capita began declining well before British colonization, indicating deeper, earlier economic challenges.
Silver Wage Disparities and Commerce
- British nominal wages in silver were much higher than Indian wages, enabling greater purchasing power on the international market.
- This disparity reflects Britain's more commercialized economy and higher productivity levels, not just local consumption capabilities.
Britain's Advantage from Population Checks
- Britain's high urban mortality and frequent wars kept population growth low, preventing wages from falling to subsistence levels.
- This background created a sustained advantage that helped Britain escape typical Malthusian economic cycles.
