In his essay, Naoroji refers to myriad modernizing benefits of British rule as humanitarian, political, and material profit. The British played a considerable part in enlarging Indian economy, amplifying industry, and introducing the country into world trade, especially with the production of raw materials and cash crops like cotton, jute, iron, steel, coal, brass, and indigo. The government helped extend irrigation and thus broaden agriculture, India's main source of economy. Furthermore, railroad construction, the establishment of a postal service, and the telegraph increased the speed of communication and transportation. British social policy benefited the country with education, labor regulation, and famine relief. The British improved schooling for both men and women, deeming Indian instruction a great priority. Naoroji states, "Education, both male and female, though yet only partial, [is] an inestimable blessing as far as it had gone, and leading gradually to the destruction of superstition, and many moral and social evils." English rule increased the literacy rate by providing education in the Indian languages and by 1859, there were eleven universities established in Calcutta, two in Bombay, and one at Madras; the British established thirteen government colleges, four aided colleges, and sixteen colleges for special subjects as well. These social reforms did not exclude female education, and The British and Foreign School Society established twenty-three girls' schools in Calcutta. Moreover, the Government passed various laws to protect workers in the burgeoning industry. Child Labor Laws issued in July 1881 determined that no child under seven could be employed, and children under the age of twelve could work for no more than nine hours. The government passed more Labor Acts in 1891, 1911, 1922, and 1934, including amendments to Child Labor Laws and revised work hours. Lastly, the Famine Commission of 1880 compiled a Famine Code to help the country in a time of national crisis. It asserted that the government had the responsibility to institute railway lines to convey food to places of shortage, provide labor for which wages were decided according to need, fix food prices, and freely distribute seed to those in need.
