The commercialization of agriculture by the British in India impoverished the peasants. Justify. Mention three points
Answers
The British rule had pronounced and profound economic impact on India. The various economic policies followed by the British led to the rapid transformation of India’s economy into a colonial economy whose nature and structure were determined by needs of the British economy. One important aspect of British economic policy was commercialisation of agriculture.
Commercialisation of Agriculture during British Period:
The commercialisation of Indian agriculture started post 1813 when the industrial revolution in England gained pace. It became prominent around 1860 A.D (during American Civil War which boosted demand of Cotton from India to Britain as America was not able to export Cotton).
Its aim was not to feed the industries of India because India was far behind in industrial development as compared to Britain, France, Belgium and many other European countries of eighteenth century.But was done primarily to feed the British industries.
It led toproduction of only those agricultural products which were either needed by the British industries or could fetch cash commercial gain to the British in the European or American market.For example, several efforts were made to increase the production of cotton in India to provide raw and good quality cotton to the cotton-textile industries of Britain which were growing fast after the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Therefore, cotton growing area increase in India and its production increased manifold with gradual lapse of time.
Indigo and more than that, tea and coffee plantation were encouraged in India because these could get commercial market abroad.