Read the passage and answer the question:

Before the 1860s, three-fourths of raw cotton imports into Britain came from America. British cotton manufacturers had for long been worried about this dependence on American supplies. What would happen if this source was cut off? Troubled by this question, they eagerly looked for alternative sources of supply.

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, a wave of panic spread through cotton circles in Britain. Raw cotton imports from America fell to less than three per cent of the normal: from over 2,000,000 bales (of 400 lbs each) in 1861 to 55,000 bales in 1862. Frantic messages were sent to India and elsewhere to increase cotton exports to Britain. In Bombay, cotton merchants visited the cotton districts to assess supplies and encourage cultivation.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) In 1857 the Cotton Supply Association was founded in Britain.
B) In 1859 the Manchester Cotton Company was formed.
C) Their objective was to encourage cotton production in Britain only.
D) India was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up.
E) India possessed suitable soil, a climate favourable to cotton cultivation, and cheap labour.

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

1- A-B-C-D
2- B-C-D-E
3- A-B-D-E
4- All are correct

3

The correct answer is Option 3 - 3

3- A-B-D-E

A) In 1857 the Cotton Supply Association was founded in Britain.
B) In 1859 the Manchester Cotton Company was formed.
D) India was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up.
E) India possessed suitable soil, a climate favourable to cotton cultivation, and cheap labour.

All the statements are correct except STATEMENT C.
Correction in statement C- Their objective was “to encourage cotton production in EVERY PART OF THE WORLD suited for its growth”.

Before the 1860s, three-fourths of raw cotton imports into Britain came from America. British cotton manufacturers had for long been worried about this dependence on American supplies. What would happen if this source was cut off? Troubled by this question, they eagerly looked for alternative sources of supply.

In 1857 the Cotton Supply Association was founded in Britain, and in 1859 the Manchester Cotton Company was formed. Their objective was “to encourage cotton production in every part of the world suited for its growth”. India was seen as a country that could supply cotton to Lancashire if the American supply dried up. It possessed suitable soil, a climate favourable to cotton cultivation, and cheap labour.

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, a wave of panic spread through cotton circles in Britain. Raw cotton imports from America fell to less than three per cent of the normal: from over 2,000,000 bales (of 400 lbs each) in 1861 to 55,000 bales in 1862. Frantic messages were sent to India and elsewhere to increase cotton exports to Britain. In Bombay, cotton merchants visited the cotton districts to assess supplies and encourage cultivation.