Explain the following statement with reasons: Impact of World Wars on India were severe.

Answer:

The statement is true because:

• India was dragged into both wars by Britain without consulting Indians. Over 13 lakh Indian soldiers served in the First World War and about 25 lakh in the Second; many were killed.
• India had to give huge sums of money, food and raw materials; taxes and war loans increased.
• Prices rose sharply and there were shortages; the Bengal famine of 1943 killed about 30 lakh people.
• Politically, broken promises led to the Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh (after WW I), and to the Quit India Movement and the Azad Hind Sena (during WW II).

The Second World War also weakened Britain, which hastened India’s independence.