With reference to the commercialisation of agriculture under British rule, consider the following statements: 1. It linked Indian agriculture to the international market. 2. Farmers shifted their cropping pattern from cash crops to food crops. 3. The cash crops produced were ultimately used by British industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1 and 3 only. Explanation Commercialisation of agriculture refers to the fundamental shift where agricultural production is undertaken primarily for sale in the market rather than for self-consumption or local barter. Under British rule, this process was largely induced by colonial economic policies to serve the needs of British industry. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct. The development of transport infrastructure, particularly the railways and the opening of the Suez Canal (1869), directly linked the Indian agricultural hinterland to ports and subsequently to the international market. Consequently, Indian agricultural prices and production decisions became influenced by global demand and supply fluctuations. - Statement 2 is Incorrect. The shift in cropping patterns was the reverse of what is stated. Farmers shifted from food crops (like rice and wheat) to cash crops (like cotton, jute, indigo, opium, and sugarcane). This was driven by the high demand for these crops in Britain and the necessity for farmers to earn cash to pay high land revenue assessments. This shift often reduced the availability of food grains, exacerbating famine conditions. - Statement 3 is Correct. The commercialisation process was driven by the requirements of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. British factories needed a cheap and steady supply of raw materials (e.g., cotton for Manchester textile mills, jute for Dundee, indigo for dyeing). Indian agriculture was thus structured to function as a raw material feeder for British industries. Key Takeaway Commercialisation of agriculture under the British Raj integrated India into the global economy as a supplier of raw materials, characterized by a forced shift from food crops to commercial crops, which often compromised domestic food security.

With reference to the commercialisation… - NCERT Class 11 Economics MCQ

NCERT Class 11 Economics — Chapter 1: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

mcqmedium

With reference to the commercialisation of agriculture under British rule, consider the following statements:

It linked Indian agriculture to the international market.
Farmers shifted their cropping pattern from cash crops to food crops.
The cash crops produced were ultimately used by British industries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Indian Economic Development · Page 7

Options

A1 and 2 only
B1, 2 and 3
C2 only
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Commercialisation of agriculture refers to the fundamental shift where agricultural production is undertaken primarily for sale in the market rather than for self-consumption or local barter. Under British rule, this process was largely induced by colonial economic policies to serve the needs of British industry.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct. The development of transport infrastructure, particularly the railways and the opening of the Suez Canal (1869), directly linked the Indian agricultural hinterland to ports and subsequently to the international market. Consequently, Indian agricultural prices and production decisions became influenced by global demand and supply fluctuations.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The shift in cropping patterns was the reverse of what is stated. Farmers shifted from food crops (like rice and wheat) to cash crops (like cotton, jute, indigo, opium, and sugarcane). This was driven by the high demand for these crops in Britain and the necessity for farmers to earn cash to pay high land revenue assessments. This shift often reduced the availability of food grains, exacerbating famine conditions.
Statement 3 is Correct. The commercialisation process was driven by the requirements of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. British factories needed a cheap and steady supply of raw materials (e.g., cotton for Manchester textile mills, jute for Dundee, indigo for dyeing). Indian agriculture was thus structured to function as a raw material feeder for British industries.

Key Takeaway

Commercialisation of agriculture under the British Raj integrated India into the global economy as a supplier of raw materials, characterized by a forced shift from food crops to commercial crops, which often compromised domestic food security.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

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