Question

in the colonial period why did the cultivation expand rapidly ?explain three reasons

Answer 1

In the colonial period, cultivation expanded for a variety of reasons. These are
(i) In Europe, food grains were needed to feed the growing urban population. The demand for wheat increased largely in the 19 th century.
(ii) The colonial rulers considered the expansion of cultivation as a sign of progress.
(iii) The British government directly encouraged the production of commercial crops, like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton to get more profit.
(iv) Europe needed raw materials for industrial production.
(v) In the early 19th century, the colonial state thought that forests were unproductive so forests had to be brought under cultivation and land could yield agricultural products and revenue. In this way the income of the state enhanced.
Thus, it can be concluded that expansion of cultivation is a sign of progress.

Answer 2

Answer:

1) The British encouraged the production of commercial crops. The demand for these crops increased in Europe where food grains were needed and raw materials were required for industrial production.

2) Oak forests in England were fast  disappearing which created problem of timber supply to Royal Navy. The forests of India were explored and forests were felled and timber was planted to meet the demand to build English ships  

3)The spread of railways created new demand. Large number of trees were felled to lay railway tracks, for obtaining wood as fuel.