Working Paper: 209
Capital, ‘Development’ and Canal Irrigation
in Colonial India
Patrick McGinn
Abstract
The method employed in this study of the nature of imperial purpose in India sought to compare the principles against the practice of British rule in relation to ‘development’ through public works such as canal irrigation. It is argued that economic policy was based on the need to generate wealth in ways that did little to disrupt the social and political order, but instead use the state to source and secure tribute rather than development.