Introduction:
The decision to make agricultural India an economic colony of industrial England was made in 1813. This decision was a result of the Charter Act of 1813, passed by the British Parliament, which brought significant changes to the economic relationship between India and England.

Background:
- The British East India Company had established its control over parts of India through military conquests and the signing of treaties with Indian rulers.
- By the late 18th century, the Company had become the de facto ruler of large parts of India, known as British India.
- The British saw India primarily as a source of raw materials for their industries and a lucrative market for their manufactured goods.

The Charter Act of 1813:
- The Charter Act of 1813 was passed by the British Parliament to renew the Company's charter and make several significant changes to its operations in India.
- One of the key provisions of the Act was the opening of India to British missionaries for the purpose of Christian evangelism.
- However, the Act also marked a shift in British policy towards Indian trade and industry.

Key Provisions:
- The Act allowed for the entry of British subjects into India for trade purposes, which led to an influx of British merchants and traders.
- It also allowed for the establishment of British-owned banks in India, which further facilitated the flow of capital from India to England.
- The Act abolished the Company's monopoly on trade with India, allowing other British traders to compete with the Company in the Indian market.
- Importantly, the Act allowed for the export of Indian goods, including raw materials and agricultural products, to England duty-free.

Impact on Indian Agriculture:
- The duty-free export of Indian agricultural products to England undercut local farmers and led to the decline of traditional Indian industries.
- Indian farmers were forced to switch from subsistence farming to cash crop cultivation, such as indigo, cotton, and jute, to meet the growing demand from the British market.
- This shift in agricultural practices disrupted the Indian economy and led to the displacement of many farmers, who became impoverished and dependent on British-controlled industries.

Conclusion:
The decision to make agricultural India an economic colony of industrial England was made in 1813 with the passage of the Charter Act. This Act allowed for the duty-free export of Indian agricultural products to England, leading to the decline of traditional Indian industries and the dependence of Indian farmers on British-controlled industries. This marked a significant shift in the economic relationship between India and England, with India being exploited as a source of raw materials and a captive market for British manufactured goods.