In what ways has colonialism brought about a social, economic and political influence on Indian society to promote urbanization.

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(i) Social influence: The process of colonialism brought immense changes in our society. The western education has impacted our social structure to a great extent. It also changed the whole spectrum in day-to-day life particulary in the urban society. Our eating, drinking and other habits are influenced by the western way of living e.g. many schools uniforms neck-ties. During the colonial period there was further decline of cities such as surat and masulipatnam. On the other, Mumbai and Chennai developed. Rural crafts and traditional goods were on the decline. New social groups came into existence. Labourers were sent to the tea plantations and other colonial regions.

(ii) Economic influence: Production of traditional Silk and Cotton of Dhaka and Murshidabad was badly affected. Cotton and Silk exports declined in the face of Manchester competition. Virtually, British industrialization led to deindustrialization in many sectors. Due to installation of mechanised factor industries, a few towns became much more heavily populated.

(iii) Political influence: Our parliamentary, legal system, police, administrative and educational system is built and developed very much on the British model. The western education gave birth to nationalism. It proved an important part of the rise of democratic ideas.

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The advent of colonialism in India produced major upheavals in the economy:

1. Disruptions in production, trade and agriculture eg Handloom, village crafts, etc.
2. After colonization, India became a source of raw materials and agricultural products and a consumer of manufactured goods earlier it was a major supplier of manufactured goods to the world market.
3. British industrialization led to de-industrialization in India.
4. New groups emerged to take advantage of the economic opportunities provided by colonialism.
5. The emergence of new business communities transformed trade, banking, industry etc.

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Following are the changes brought about by colonialism:

1. The magnitude and depth of the structural changes that colonialism made can be suitably understood if we try and realise some basic features of capitalism.
2. British colonialism that was based on capitalist system directly interfered to ensure maximum profit and benefit to British Captialism.
3. The colonial rule changed not just land ownership but even decided what crops should be grown and what should not be.
4. During the colonial period every policy was made towards the strengthening and expansion of British capitalism. It changed the very laws of the land.
5. The British colonialism introduced wide series of changes in every sphere, be it legal or cultural or architectural.
6. The overall changes in the Forest Act changed the lives of pastoralists. Consequently, they were checked from entering many forests.

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(i) The small scale industries which were estabished in India suffered a heavy loss and the old cities such as Surat, Masulipattam, etc also lost their eminence.
(ii) After the establishment of British imperialism in India, the British industrialization totally received some famous trading centres of India such as Tanjavour, Dhacca and Murshidabad and the workers involved is the handlooms were thrown out Jobless. It was the serious effect of de-industrialisation in this sector in India.

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(i) Firstly, there are villages in which a sizeable number of people have sought employment in far-off cities. They live there leaving behind the members of their families in their natal villages. A considerable number of emigrants reside not only in Indian cities but also in overseas towns.

(ii) The second kind of urban impact is to be seen in villages which are situated near an industrial town. When an industrial town like Bhilai comes up in the midst of villages, some villages are totally uprooted while the lands of others are partially acquired. The latter are found to receive an influx of immigrant workers, which not only stimulates a demand for houses and a market inside the village but creates problems of ordering relationships between the native residents and the immigrants.

(iii) The growth of metropolitan cities accounts for the third type of urban impact on the surrounding villages. While a few villages are totally absorbed in the process of expansion, only the land of many others, excluding the inhabited area, is used for urban development.