Civilizations have risen and fallen throughout history, and technological advancements have occurred in cycles. While technological progress is an essential aspect of a civilization’s growth and prosperity, it is not the only factor that sets civilizations apart. The hunger for exploration, innovation, and growth is what truly drives progress.

India’s share of world GDP in the 17th century was impressive, at around 25%. However, the country did not experience the Industrial Revolution that transformed Western Europe in the same period. This raises the question: why did the Industrial Revolution not happen in India? 

One of the primary reasons for this was the absence of scientists and inventors who could create ground breaking technologies that could power the revolution. The Industrial Revolution was powered by inventions such as the Spinning Jenny, Steam Engine, Iron Foundry, Bessemer Converter, Cotton Gin, and Early Industrial Looms, all of which were created by scientists and inventors. Unfortunately, India did not have any of these technologies, and its primary exports were spices, handcrafted textiles, gems, and incense. 

India’s intellectual community primarily focused on Vedic knowledge and religious studies, while neglecting scientific advancements. Things were either Vedic or Islamic. Although India did have alchemists, chemists, and architects who used math and chemistry, they did not publish their findings in a treatise or an integrated book. Consequently, their skills did not extend beyond their apprentices. 

Furthermore, India did not have any incentive to automate due to its abundant manpower. It was always easier to put extra people on any job than to look for a machine alternative to do it faster. The Indian states primarily engaged in commerce within themselves, with very little exchange with the outside world. Thus, Indians were content with selling within the subcontinent. Due to continuous oppression for hundreds of years, Indians developed a risk-averse behaviour that prevented them from exploring unknown areas. These behaviours are still deeply entrenched in the Indian psyche today. 

While India’s share of the world GDP was impressive, the absence of science and technological advancements, combined with a lack of incentives and risk-averse behaviour, prevented India from entering the Industrial Age. If India had promoted scientific advancements and invested in creating ground breaking technologies, it could have experienced the benefits of the Industrial Revolution and propelled itself to new heights of economic prosperity. 

Europhiles and Western exceptionalists often bring about the bogey of the “Industrial Revolution” and the “Age of Enlightenment,” as if the civilizations before those eras were living in jungles and starving on the margins. However, the hunger for exploration, innovation, and growth is what truly sets civilizations apart. This hunger strives for innovative solutions that lead to prosperity and success. 

The cycle of growth, stagnation, and decline has been a constant in human history. Highly successful nations would fall into a period of hubris, inertia, and inaction, while the relatively unsuccessful ones would look to change and evolve. Each era has its share of successes and failures, and civilizations should not be judged solely on their technological advancements. 

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Ashwin Deshmukh 

New Delhi 

March 27, 2023