Colonialism had a deep impact on structure of the Indian Society. Which of the following is not true regarding colonialism in India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → They benefited from continuous flow of tribute without interference in economic base
Option (1) Britishers interfered with Indian markets to ensure greater profits — True. British colonialism, based on a capitalist system, directly interfered to ensure greatest profit and benefit to British capitalism; every policy served that aim.
Option (2) They altered the way of production — True. It meddled with the manufacturing sector and altered the way production and distribution of goods took place, even deciding which crops should be grown.
Option (3) They implemented Forest Act which changed the lives of pastoralists — True. It brought in Forest Acts that changed the lives of pastoralists, who were kept out of forests that had earlier given forage for their cattle.
Option (4) They benefited from continuous flow of tribute without interference in economic base — False. This describes the pre-capitalist conquerors, who exacted a continuous flow of tribute and on the whole did not interfere with the economic base. British colonialism was the opposite: it changed the very base of the economy, from land laws to production.
NCERT (2025-26): “1.1 Understanding Colonialism … Nevertheless, there is a vital difference between the empire building of pre-capitalist times and that of capitalist times. Apart from outright pillage, the pre-capitalist conquerors benefited from their domination by exacting a continuous flow of tribute. On the whole they did not interfere with the economic base. They simply took the tribute that was skimmed off the economic surplus that was produced traditionally in the subjugated areas. (Alavi and Shanin, 1982) In contrast British colonialism which was based on a capitalist system directly interfered to ensure greatest profit and benefit to British capitalism. Every policy was geared towards the strengthening and expansion of British capitalism. For instance it changed the very laws of the land. It changed not just land ownership laws but decided even what crops ought to be grown and what ought not to be. It meddled with the manufacturing sector. It altered the way production and distribution of goods took place. It entered into the forests. It cleared trees and started tea plantations. It brought in Forest Acts that changed the lives of pastoralists. They were prevented from entering many forests that had earlier provided valuable forage for their cattle.…” |