ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the divide between the colonial and post-colonial period in people's understanding of the overall process of economic transformation. It explores the possible linkages between these features of the Indian growth story. The book also examines some of the historical roots of contemporary development, given that path-dependency is an essential aspect of growth. It describes the growing interest in the historical and regional dimensions of economic growth. India, given its sheer size and heterogeneity, turns out to be an interesting case because of the differential impact of the overarching effects of 200 years of colonialism across the states. The book presents a few of these institutions and some foundational trends that people believe could explain the observed pattern of economic growth, agricultural decline and poverty across the Indian states.
