Question

Which of the following show us the extent of colonial oppression during the First World War?

• A. The British took war loans and increased taxes levied on the Indians.
• B. The colonial government also increased the custom duties, and introduced taxes on individual incomes.
• C. Indian soldiers were forcefully recruited by the British government to take part in the war.
• D. Farmers benefitted from colonial policies to boost agriculture.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

Indian soldiers were forcefully recruited by the British government to take part in the war.

The First World War created a new economic and political situation in the Indian subcontinent. These included increased defence expenditure and custom duties, introduction of income tax to strain the lives of everyday Indians. Many Indians who were deployed in various parts of the world on behalf of the England were a part of forced recruitment. There were crop failures and the prices of daily commodities also doubled. Moreover, the deployed soldiers brought with themselves the influenza virus. This also affected the Indian subcontinent adversely.