The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
During British colonial rule, the Indian economy was fundamentally agrarian. The agricultural sector, which employed a vast majority of the population, was characterized by stagnation and extremely low productivity due to exploitative institutional structures and technological backwardness.
Statement 1 is Incorrect:
The agricultural sector did experience stagnation and frequent deterioration in terms of productivity. However, this stagnation was not absolute regarding the land area. In absolute terms, the sector witnessed some growth due to the expansion of the aggregate area under cultivation, driven largely by the commercialization of agriculture and the need to feed a growing population.
Statement 2 is Correct:
The stagnation in the agricultural sector was caused mainly by the land settlement systems introduced by the colonial government. The Zamindari system (Permanent Settlement), particularly in Bengal, ensured that profits from agriculture went to zamindars as rent (lagan) rather than being reinvested in land development. This lack of investment led to immense misery and social tension.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Agricultural productivity was adversely affected by low levels of technology, a lack of irrigation facilities, and the negligible use of fertilisers. These factors, combined with the cultivators' lack of resources and incentives, resulted in consistently low yields.
Key Takeaway:
The stagnation of Indian agriculture under British rule was primarily driven by exploitative land tenure systems (like the Zamindari system) and a lack of technological inputs (fertilizers, irrigation), despite a marginal increase in the total area under cultivation.