what is the impact of colonial policies by the english east india company on the peasants and the craftsman in india?
Answers
The British East India Company was initially set up for trading and commerce. But it gradually paved the way for the British occupation and rule of India, during 1858 – 1947.
During their rule, several policies and laws were introduced, mainly to benefit Britain. Peasants were taxed for use of agricultural and forest land. They were are coerced to convert their cultivation from traditional staples and grains, to cash crops such as cotton etc. Craftsmen were taxed for selling their wares. These taxes led peasants and craftsmen to debt-traps, with unscrupulous money-lenders and some land owners who sided with the British.
During the early and mid-1900, several new policies were introduced along with some laws; all were to benefit Britain.
The ordinary peasants were heavily taxed for frequent use of land for agricultural and forest use.
They were asked to move from their traditional cultivation like grains & staples, to the cash crops like cotton.
All these taxes forced peasants & the craftsmen to become debt-traps.