Question

Choose the correct option.

Assertion: From being a self-sufficient and rich country, India became a dependent and poor country under British rule.

Reason: After colonisation, East India Company stopped the export of manufactured products and crafts from India to the outside world.

• A. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• B. A is false but R is true.
• C. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• D. A is true but R is false.

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Before colonisation, India exported manufactured products and crafts to the outside world. The East India Company used its political power to kill Indian exports and industry. Through their policies, they reduced India into a country that exported raw materials to feed its own industries. For example, the Bengal region was exporting cloth, raw silk, jute, sugar and muslin. But this export economy was killed by the imposition of unfair taxes.

In addition to this, artisans were forced to sign unfair contracts where the price of their products were fixed. They were punished if they refused to sign such contracts. All of this was done during the dual rule period during which the ruling Nawabs were responsible for people’s welfare while the company held all decision making power. They succeeded in turning a rich nation into a subservient poor country. The Indian artisans became poor and unemployed.