Economic growth is associated with a relative shift in the structure of the workforce away from agriculture, towards industry and services. The Indian occupational structure showed little sign of change over the whole period 1881-1951. This chapter examines changes in the employment pattern for undivided India between 1901 and 1951, concentrating on the results for males. For both cultivators and agricultural labourers there was a slight rise in relative shares. The chapter also examines changes within the manufacturing sector in both male and female employment. It would be futile to attempt to explain these changes or draw conclusions about them without examining closely the economy of each of these states. The chapter considers four areas for closer scrutiny: Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan and east Punjab. In Rajasthan and Punjab irrigation had important effects. In Rajasthan it moderated the effects of the breakdown of pre-modern manufacturing by making agriculture a viable proposition.