With reference to the industrial sector during the colonial period, consider the following statements: 1. The decline of indigenous handicraft industries created massive unemployment in India. 2. The cotton textile mills were mainly dominated by foreigners and located in Bengal. 3. The jute mills were mainly dominated by Indians and located in western India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

With reference to the industrial sector… - NCERT Class 11 Economics MCQ

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

mcqmedium

With reference to the industrial sector during the colonial period, consider the following statements:

The decline of indigenous handicraft industries created massive unemployment in India.
The cotton textile mills were mainly dominated by foreigners and located in Bengal.
The jute mills were mainly dominated by Indians and located in western India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Indian Economic Development · Page 7

Options

A1 and 3 only
B1 only
C1, 2 and 3
D2 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

1 only

Explanation

The state of the Indian industrial sector during the colonial period was characterized by the systematic de-industrialization of indigenous handicrafts and a slow, regionally skewed growth of modern industries. This structure was largely determined by the colonial government's economic interests.

Statement 1 is Correct:
The primary outcome of the colonial government's policies was the decline of the world-famous indigenous handicraft industries. This de-industrialization led to massive unemployment in the manufacturing sector and forced a large number of artisans to shift to agriculture, increasing the burden on the rural economy (overcrowding).

Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The modern cotton textile industries, which developed in the second half of the 19th century, were mainly dominated by Indian entrepreneurs. Furthermore, they were primarily located in the western parts of the country, specifically in present-day Maharashtra and Gujarat, not Bengal.

Statement 3 is Incorrect:
The jute textile industries were mainly dominated by foreigners (British capital). These mills were concentrated in the Bengal region (eastern India), particularly around the Hooghly River, rather than western India.

Key Takeaway:
Cotton Mills: Dominated by Indians, located in Western India (Maharashtra/Gujarat).
Jute Mills: Dominated by Foreigners, located in Eastern India (Bengal).

Your note

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

The "invisible items" in the context of India's balance of payments during the colonial period referred to:

medium

With reference to the agricultural sector under British rule, consider the following statements: 1. The agricultural sector experienced absolute stagnation with no growth in the aggregate area under cultivation. 2. The stagnation was caused mainly by the land settlement systems introduced by the colonial government. 3. Low levels of technology and negligible use of fertilisers contributed to low productivity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

The primary motive of the colonial government’s policy of systematically de-industrialising India was:

easy

With reference to the railways, consider the following statements: 1. It restricted people from undertaking long-distance travel. 2. It adversely affected the self-sufficiency of village economies. 3. It fostered the commercialisation of Indian agriculture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the infrastructure in British India: 1. The introduction of the electric telegraph was primarily to serve the public interest. 2. The postal services, despite being inadequate, served a useful public purpose. 3. The railways enabled people to break geographical and cultural barriers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 1: Indian Economy on the Eve of Independence

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 11 Economics chapters