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Indian Economy On The Eve Of Independence

Question
CBSEENEC11008603

What was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation effected by the British in pre-independent India?

Solution

Before independence India's industries were very famous throughout the world. Under the colonial rule, the country's world famous handicraft industries declined. The primary motive of the colonial government behind the policy of systematically de-industrialising India was two-fold:

(i) The intention was first to reduce India to the status of a mere exporter of important raw materials for the industries in Britain.

(ii) To turn India into a market of finished products of those industries which were established in Britain.

At the time of independence, there were a few industries in India. The systematic de-industrialisation created unemployment in India.