61. Which of the following is not associated with the effects of British land revenue systems?
a) Increase in agricultural productivity
b) Rise in landless laborers
c) Indebtedness among peasants
d) Decline of traditional rural economy
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Answer: a) Increase in agricultural productivity Explanation:
Land revenue systems like Zamindari led to oppressive taxation, exploitation, and lack of incentive to invest in land. Far from improving productivity, it caused land alienation, rural poverty, and agrarian distress. For example, under permanent settlement, the zamindars collected high rents, but did not invest in agriculture.
62. What was the primary objective of British commercial policies in India?
a) Boost Indian exports globally
b) Make India an industrial hub
c) Use India as a market and supplier of raw materials
d) Develop Indian infrastructure equitably
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Answer: c) Use India as a market and supplier of raw materials Explanation:
British policies were shaped by imperial economic interests. India became a source of raw materials like cotton and jute, and a market for British manufactured goods. This made India dependent and deindustrialized, stifling indigenous enterprise.
63. Which of the following was a positive infrastructure development during British rule?
a) Industrial clusters in rural areas
b) Railway network
c) Rural credit institutions
d) Free and compulsory education
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Answer: b) Railway network Explanation:
The railway system, though built for colonial exploitation, linked markets, facilitated mobility, and later became vital to national integration and trade. India now has one of the largest rail networks globally due to this legacy.
64. The term ‘Commercialization of Agriculture’ during British rule implies:
a) Use of chemical fertilizers
b) Sale of crops in markets rather than for self-consumption
c) Introduction of crop insurance
d) Nationalization of agricultural land
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Answer: b) Sale of crops in markets rather than for self-consumption Explanation: Commercialization refers to the shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture, often under British pressure to grow cash crops like indigo, cotton, tea. This led to food insecurity and famines, like the Deccan Famine of 1876.
65. The term ‘Home Charges’ in colonial context referred to:
a) Housing benefits for Indian soldiers
b) Indian government expenditure on temples and public works
c) Expenses remitted to England from Indian revenues
d) Colonial investment in Indian factories
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Answer: c) Expenses remitted to England from Indian revenues Explanation: Home Charges included pensions of British officials, interest payments on debt, and costs of civil and military administration, all paid out of Indian revenues but used in Britain. This was a key component of the Drain of Wealth.
66. Which economic trend was seen in India due to British deindustrialization?
a) Urbanization
b) Growth of handicrafts
c) Shift to agricultural labor
d) Rise in per capita income
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Answer: c) Shift to agricultural labor Explanation:
With the collapse of the urban artisan and textile industries, many skilled workers were forced into low-paying rural agricultural labor, increasing pressure on land and contributing to disguised unemployment in villages.
67. What was the major consequence of the Permanent Settlement system in Bengal?
a) Boost in irrigation projects
b) Peasant prosperity
c) Absentee landlordism
d) Promotion of cooperative farming
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Answer: c) Absentee landlordism Explanation:
The Permanent Settlement (1793) fixed land revenue, often at high rates, and gave ownership to zamindars, many of whom became absentee landlords, neglecting land improvement. Tenants faced eviction and high rents, worsening rural distress.
68. Which industry was promoted by the British only for their strategic needs and not for Indian development?
a) Cotton textiles
b) Rail manufacturing
c) Jute and iron ore
d) Arms and ammunition
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Answer: d) Arms and ammunition Explanation:
British rulers allowed limited development of arms and ammunition sectors only to meet the needs of their army and administration, keeping control centralized. Indian participation in defense industries was restricted.
69. Who among the following authored ‘Economic History of India’ and contributed to understanding British exploitation?
a) R.C. Dutt
b) Pherozeshah Mehta
c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
d) Lala Lajpat Rai
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Answer: a) R.C. Dutt Explanation: R.C. Dutt, a prominent nationalist and civil servant, wrote ‘Economic History of India’, documenting how British policies destroyed Indian economy, especially industries. His analysis complemented Dadabhai Naoroji’s work on the Drain Theory.
70. Which of the following best describes India’s economy at the end of British rule?
a) Industrialized and urban
b) Diverse and balanced
c) Backward and stagnant
d) Technologically advanced
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Answer: c) Backward and stagnant Explanation:
In 1947, India faced low industrial output, rampant poverty, stagnant agriculture, and inadequate infrastructure. Literacy was below 15%, life expectancy was around 32 years, and per capita income was very low, reflecting a stagnant colonial economy.
