"Cross-cultural exchange has characterized the economic life of India since antiquity. Its long coastline has afforded convenient access to Asia and Africa, and trading partnerships formed in the exchange of commodities ranging from textiles to military technology and opium to indigo. In a...

Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: The making of British India -- Chapter 3: The business of the cities -- Chapter 4: Unyielding land -- Chapter 5: A poor state -- Chapter 6: End of famine -- Chapter 7: A different story? The princely states -- Chapter 8: Conclusion

The paper explores the link between international economic integration and technological capability in colonial India. The example of iron industry shows that many new ideas and skills flowed into India from Europe, but not all met with commercial success. The essay suggests that in those fields...