Decline of Commercial Centers during Colonial Rule

During the colonial rule, many commercial centers in India faced a decline due to various reasons such as the policies of the British, changes in the economy, and the emergence of new centers. Let's look at the three given centers and which ones faced a decline.

1. Dhaka

Dhaka was a prosperous commercial center during the Mughal period and continued to thrive during the early British rule. However, it faced a decline in the late 18th century due to the following reasons:

- The British shifted their focus to Calcutta, which became the capital of British India in 1772. This led to a decline in Dhaka's importance as a center of trade and administration.
- The British imposed heavy taxes on the textile industry of Dhaka, which led to a decline in its production and export.
- The British also encouraged the growth of other centers such as Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, which competed with Dhaka.

Therefore, statement 1 is correct as Dhaka faced a decline during the colonial rule.

2. Madras

Madras was an important commercial center during the colonial rule and continued to grow due to the following reasons:

- The British established a trading post in Madras in 1639, which led to the growth of the city as a center of trade and administration.
- Madras became an important center for textile production and export, especially for cotton goods.
- The British also established industries such as shipbuilding, leather, and tanning in Madras, which further contributed to its growth.

Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect as Madras did not face a decline during the colonial rule.

3. Surat

Surat was a prosperous commercial center during the Mughal period and continued to thrive during the early British rule. However, it faced a decline in the late 18th century due to the following reasons:

- The British shifted their focus to Bombay, which became the center of trade and administration in western India.
- Surat faced competition from other centers such as Bombay and Calcutta, which led to a decline in its importance as a center of trade.

Therefore, statement 3 is correct as Surat faced a decline during the colonial rule.

Conclusion

From the above analysis, we can conclude that statement 2 is incorrect as Madras did not face a decline during the colonial rule, while statements 1 and 3 are correct as Dhaka and Surat faced a decline due to various reasons.