Correct Option
The correct option isCotton
Explanation
Under British rule, the colonial administration actively promoted the commercialization of agriculture. The British realized that the Indian countryside could yield not only revenue but also specific crops required by industries in Europe. Consequently, cultivators in various regions were persuaded or forced to grow cash crops suited to their specific geographies.
Detailed Analysis
The British administration implemented a strategy of regional crop specialization to supply raw materials to Britain:
- Cotton: Cultivators in Maharashtra and Punjab were persuaded to grow cotton. The black soil of the Deccan (Maharashtra) and the alluvial plains of Punjab were conducive to cotton cultivation, which was in high demand for the textile mills of Manchester and Lancashire.
- Jute: This was primarily grown in Bengal to serve the packaging industry.
- Tea: Cultivation was expanded in Assam for export.
- Rice: Farmers in Madras were encouraged to grow rice.
- Sugarcane: This was the focus in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
- Wheat: Along with cotton, Punjab was also a major center for wheat production.
Key Takeaway: The British enforced crop patterns based on industrial needs, designating Maharashtra and Punjab specifically for Cotton cultivation to support the British textile industry.