The Economic Legacy of British Rule: A Glimpse into Opulence and Decline

Just look at the GDP of the Indian economy in British India. They led our country through 300 years. Mr. Shashi Tharoor brings back the calculation of GDP in his book ‘’Era of Darkness.‘’ During British rule, India's GDP decreased from 27% to 3% in terms of economic growth. There are two questions left behind. Is it only British hands behind the diminishing of the Indian economy? There we can see the hands of Indian dynasties and kingdoms. such as the Nizams in Hyderabad and the Big Lord in Kashmir, they ruled huge kingdoms and dynasties that lasted longer than the American continent. More than 400 kings, only 20 km natives ruled by themselves. Someone ruled better than British rule, but some kings were more engaged in utilizing the kingdom’s treasury

 Prodigal in various kinds

When Lord Mountbatten arrived in India, the governor's residence was adorned with blossoms for the ceremony. Mountbatten's wife, Edwina, requested two dogs named Misen and Jib. After 30 minutes, Edwina was embarrassed by the food served for the dogs: grilled chicken hearts on china plates. Despite her initial discomfort, she ended up eating the grilled hearts herself, a narrow example of the opulence displayed within the Indian economy.

The Governor’s castle, featuring 340 rooms and 37 guest rooms, is entirely covered with red and black stones from Brouly. The castle’s veranda stands elevated, and servants are transported by bicycles.

Indian kings have always been known for their grandeur. A proverb states, "If any Indian king destroys the world, then the world becomes more than a decade." King Baronda, for instance, was known for his curiosity about gold and diamonds. His clothes were made of golden threads, and the production of his garments provided income for two Indian families. The king’s treasury held the “Vairakaddu,” one of the seven diamonds of great value.

King Bharatpur was involved in producing dental equipment, a process that took a year to complete using elephant tusks. Another Sikh king, from Patiala, possessed a special gold necklace adorned with 1001 jewels, valued at 100,000 lakh dollars. The necklace was insured by Lloyd's, and more than 100 jewels were used in medicine, as per Chinese scholars’ recommendations.

During the annual Dasara festival in Mysore, an elephant so strong that it could carry the king's cart full of gold was highly esteemed. This elephant was revered by the native people for its role in honoring ancestors.

King Pandyachala owned a luxurious car, the “De Dion Bouton,” and King Nizam had a garage in 1947 with 100 vehicles he never used. Rolls-Royce was particularly favored among Indian kings. King Goligor even built a railway in his castle to transport food and clothing for himself and his guests. On one occasion, when the governor attended an event, a malfunctioning train carrying food and drinks caused a mess, spilling everything on the governor’s dress.

In contrast to this historical opulence, the King of Junagadh, situated in northern Bombay, focused on his passion for dogs. He amassed various types of dogs in his castle and spent $600,000 on the wedding ceremony of his beloved lady dog, Roshana, who married Boby.

Indian kings’ castles were more magnificent in architecture, length, and beauty compared to Roman castles of the medieval period. This splendor is a testament to the significant impact of Indian royalty on the economy, showcasing their grandiosity and influence.