Which of the following factors was not considered significant during industrialisation in independent India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Role of coastal cities for trading purpose
Option (4) Role of coastal cities for trading purpose — Not considered significant in independent India (Correct). Coastal cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were favoured under colonial rule, because primary commodities could be exported and manufactured goods cheaply imported from there. They served the colonial economy’s trade with Britain; the independent Indian state built its industrial plan on heavy industry, the public sector and cooperatives, and set up new industrial towns such as Bhilai, Rourkela and Bokaro.
NCERT (2025-26): “Industrialisation in Independent India … For Indian nationalists the issue of economic exploitation under colonial rule was a central issue. Images of pre-colonial fabled riches of India contrasted with the poverty of British India. The Swadeshi movement strengthened the loyalty to the national economy. Modern ideas made people realise that poverty was preventable. Indian nationalists saw rapid industrialisation of the economy as the path towards both growth and social equity. Development of heavy and machine-making industries, expansion of the public sector and holding of a large cooperative sector were considered very important.” “Cities had a key role in the economic system of empires. Coastal cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai were favoured. From here primary commodities could be easily exported and manufactured goods could be cheaply imported.…” |