Analysis of the Social Condition in Rajasthan with Reference to the Context of Industrialization in the Colonial Period

Abstract

During the colonial period (16th to 18th century), the East India Company was a central force in the socio-economic structure of Rajasthan. It significantly impacted the region’s social fabric. This article analyzes the social implications of the Company’s rule in Rajasthan, particularly in reference to the British society, local rulers, and the intricate connections between the colonial administration and the native governance systems. The East India Company accelerated social stratification, where the Company’s agents played a major role in local governance and cultural preservation. At the same time, they imposed taxes and economic controls on farmers and common people, leading to discontent and resistance. The Company supported princely rulers in governance, security arrangements, and cultural preservation (such as temple construction, arts, and festivals).In regions like Mewar, Marwar, and Amber, the presence of the Company took various forms that reflected cooperation and conflict in British-princely relations. The heavy taxes and labor demands imposed by the Company led to economic exploitation, creating social unrest. The varied forms of this colonial rule across different regions—like negotiations with rulers like Ekanath Singh of Amber or resistance by leaders like Raja Pratap of Mewar—illustrate both collaboration and rebellion.On one hand, this brought administrative stability and cultural growth at the local level; on the other, it gave rise to socio-economic disparities and frequent tensions between the East India Company and native rulers. From a long-term historical perspective, the East India Company left a lasting impact on Rajasthan’s social structures, which continues to be analyzed in modern historiography.This article, based on primary sources (colonial-era documents, British records) and secondary sources (works by historians), thoroughly explores the historical importance of the Company and its socio-political consequences. It sheds light on both the positive and negative influences of the Company’s rule—such as cultural development and socio-economic inequality—and outlines its historical significance