Assertion: The opening of the Suez Canal had adversely affected the British control over India’s foreign trade during colonial era.
Reasoning: Before the opening of Suez Canal almost 90 percent of India’s foreign trade was restricted to Britain.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option 4: Both Assertion and Reasoning are wrong.
Assertion: The opening of the Suez Canal had adversely affected the British control over India’s foreign trade during colonial era. Incorrect — The opening of the Suez Canal actually strengthened British control over India’s foreign trade because it reduced travel time between Britain and India, making trade easier and faster for the British. It did not adversely affect their control.
Reasoning: Before the opening of Suez Canal almost 90 percent of India’s foreign trade was restricted to Britain. Incorrect — Although Britain was India’s major trading partner, it is not correct to say that 90% of India’s trade was restricted only to Britain.
"For all practical purposes, Britain maintained a monopoly control over India’s exports and imports during colonial times. 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."