Read the following chain of events with one step missing:
(A) The Suez Canal was opened in 1869.
(B) Ships between Europe and South Asia no longer had to sail around Africa, so the cost of transportation fell.
(C) ____________
(D) British control over India’s foreign trade was further intensified.
Which of the following is the missing step (C)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Access to the Indian market became easier.
A shorter, cheaper route made it easier to reach the Indian market. British control over India’s foreign trade was then further intensified.
Option (1) India’s exports to Britain fell sharply. — Incorrect. Cheaper transport would help trade with Britain, not cut it.
Option (2) India’s trade with China and Persia overtook its trade with Britain. — Incorrect. More than half of India’s trade stayed with Britain.
Option (3) Access to the Indian market became easier. — Correct. The canal made access to the Indian market easier, which led to step (D).
Option (4) The Indian market was closed to goods from other European countries. — Incorrect. The canal opened a direct route for European ports; it closed no market.
NCERT (2026-27): “Box 1.3: Trade Through the Suez Canal … The canal provides a direct trade route for ships operating between European or American ports and ports located in South Asia, East Africa and Oceania by doing away with the need to sail around Africa. Strategically and economically, it is one of the most important waterways in the world. Its opening in 1869 reduced the cost of transportation and made access to the Indian market easier.” “1.5 Foreign Trade … As a result, more than half of India’s foreign trade was restricted to Britain while the rest was allowed with a few other countries like China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Persia (Iran). The opening of the Suez Canal further intensified British control over India’s foreign trade (see Box 1.3).” |