Answer the following questions after reading the paragraph

Reena’s grandmother was telling her about how the life was when India was under the colonial rule. Her Grandmother said ,” How much blessed you are to be born in 20th century Reena, I will tell you about how our life looked back then. I used to sell hand made carpets in the market which were sold at a very high price but after some time I noticed that the demand in the market reduced due to machines that Britishers imported. So, I thought of switching to farming, but we weren’t able to fulfil our basic needs also as the ownership rights of the land now belonged to Raju and we were just mere peasants. Apart from that our right to choice was also taken away and we were forced to grow certain crops only. Had I been well educated I would have done something else but at that time no one used to study. But my child! you should study well and do something good with your life."

What happened to the Indian handicraft industry in the colonial period?

It gradually declined.

The correct answer is Option 2: It gradually declined.

The paragraph describes how the introduction of machines by the British reduced the demand for handmade carpets, reflecting a broader trend of decline in traditional handicrafts due to competition with industrially produced goods.