The correct option is B 55%
The colonial policies of British Government moved unemployed artisans into farming, and transformed India into a region increasingly abundant in land, unskilled labour, and low productivity, this consequently made India scarce in skilled labour, capital and knowledge . Additionally, these policies weakened the ability of poorer peasants to command land and credit. The resulting rising landlessness and stagnant real wages intensified poverty. When India gained independence, 55% of the population was very poor.