Assertion: The objective behind development of basic infrastructure, such as railways and ports, in colonial India was not to provide basic amenities to the people but to subserve various colonial interests.

Reasoning: The construction of railways primarily served the purpose of mobilizing the army within India.

Assertion (A) is true but Reasoning (R) is not correct.

Assertion: The objective behind development of basic infrastructure, such as railways and ports, in colonial India was not to provide basic amenities to the people but to subserve various colonial interests- This is correct

Reasoning: The construction of railways primarily served the purpose of mobilizing the army within India- This is incorrect. The British introduced railways in India to serve their own economic and political interests. Railways made it easier and cheaper for the British to transport goods and raw materials, such as cotton and tea, from India to Britain.

NCERT Text:

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.

Roads constructed in India prior to the advent of the British rule were not fit for modern transport. The roads that were built primarily served the purposes of mobilising the army within India and drawing out raw materials from the countryside to the nearest railway station or the port to send these to far away England or other lucrative foreign destinations.