The British rule in India led to _____________.

(A) Collapse of India's world famous Handicraft industry

(B) Development of Modern industry

(C) Development of Railways

(D) growth of education sector

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

(A) and (C) only

The correct answer is option (1) : (A) and (C) only

Collapse of India's world-famous Handicraft industry (A): This is correct. The British policies led to the decline of traditional handicrafts in India as they promoted the export of raw materials and the import of finished goods, affecting local industries.

Development of railways (C) : This is correct. Under the colonial regime, basic infrastructure such as railways, ports, water transport, posts and telegraphs did develop. However, the real motive behind this development was not to provide basic amenities to the people but to subserve various colonial interests.

The other options are not accurate :

(B) Development of Modern industry : . Even as the country’s world famous handicraft industries declined, no corresponding modern industrial base was allowed to come up to take pride of place so long enjoyed by the former. The primary motive of the colonial government behind this policy of systematically deindustrialising India was two-fold. The intention was, first, to reduce India to the status of a mere exporter of important raw materials for the upcoming modern industries in Britain and, second, to turn India into a sprawling market for the finished products of those industries so that their continued expansion could be ensured to the maximum advantage of their home country — Britain.

(D) Growth of education sector : The overall literacy level was less than 16 per cent. Out of this, the female literacy level was at a negligible low of about seven per cent.