HIST 2250 Chapter : Forests and Forestry in India.docx
10 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Riches of provincial india shown at punjab exhibition of 1864 (baden-powell) catalogue of forest products: showed tradable resources , natural wealth of india. Mid 19th cent british india"s factories e/workshops/railways dependent on deodar cedar, (teak most valuable) Depletion of british woodlands backdrop to expanding use of indian timber during this period, hastened shift to fossil fuels (espesh coal) Britain had relied on new england & the baltic imports but latter supplies cut off (1790 war blockages) Growing conflicts in the world increased the need. Rebellion spur railway building b/c showed brits dangers of isolation & poor communications: critical for moving troops & therefore controlling territory. Rolling back forests to cultivate seen as way to extend control for east india company. Workable forests by river slopes: cut, push into river, formed into rafts, float to depots, branded to identify whos property, some ppl try to steal. Forests under threat and conservation became a major brit preoccupation in india.
