Land to be Improved

In 1600, about one-sixth of India’s land was used for farming. But now, it’s increased to about half. This happened because as the population grew over the centuries, people needed more food. So, farmers cleared forests and started farming on new land. During colonial times, farming grew even faster for a few reasons. First, the British encouraged growing crops like jute, sugar, wheat, and cotton for trade.

These crops were in demand in Europe, where more people were living in cities and industries needed raw materials. Second, the colonial government saw forests as unproductive and wanted to use the land for farming to make money. So, between 1880 and 1920, farming expanded by about 6.7 million hectares. We often think that more farming means progress. But we need to remember that clearing forests for farming can have negative effects too.

Sleepers on the Tracks

In the early 19th century, England faced a problem as its oak forests were disappearing. Without enough timber, the Royal Navy couldn’t build ships, which were vital for protecting the empire. So, in the 1820s, British officials sent teams to India to find wood. Soon, India began exporting large amounts of timber. Then, railways became important for colonial trade and moving troops. Trains needed wood for fuel and sleepers to support the tracks. Each mile of track needed thousands of sleepers. By the 1860s, the railway network in India was growing fast. This led to more trees being cut down. For example, in the Madras Presidency, 35,000 trees were cut every year just for sleepers. Contractors were hired to get the wood, and they cut trees without much care. As a result, forests near the railway tracks started disappearing quickly.

Plantations

To meet Europe’s increasing demand for tea, coffee, and rubber, large parts of natural forests were cleared. The colonial government controlled the forests and gave extensive land to European planters at low prices. These areas were then fenced off, forests were cleared, and tea or coffee plants were grown there.

NCERT Notes Class-9 History Notes Chapter-4: CBSE Class 9 History Notes are essential for students studying Social Science, as History is a crucial sub-subject that requires properly written answers. Scoring well in History is just as important as other subjects.

Our notes cover all the concepts related to the Indus Valley Civilization, the French Revolution, Globalisation, and Imperialism, which have significantly impacted our society. We’ve designed our CBSE Class 9 History notes to help students understand complex topics easily. By studying these notes, students can improve their chances of getting higher marks in their History exam.