UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2018

Economically, one of the results of the British rule in India in the 19th century was the:

  1. increase in the export of Indian handicrafts
  2. growth in the number of Indian owned factories
  3. commercialization of Indian agriculture
  4. rapid increase in the urban population

Answer

Correct Answer

commercialization of Indian agriculture

Explanation

Colonial policies pushed farmers towards cash crops such as cotton, indigo, jute and opium for British industry and trade, i.e. commercialisation of agriculture. Handicraft exports declined, Indian-owned factories were few, and urbanisation was slow.

Topics: commercialisation of agriculture, economic impact of british rule, history, modern india