Assertion (A): The traditional handicrafts industries were ruined unde...
Impact of British Rule on Traditional Handicrafts Industries in India
The traditional handicrafts industries in India suffered significantly under British colonial rule.
Ruined Handicrafts Industries
- The British implemented policies that aimed to promote the British industrial sector at the expense of Indian handicrafts industries.
- They imposed high tariffs on Indian handicrafts, making it difficult for them to compete with cheap British goods.
- The British also exploited Indian artisans by paying them low wages for their labor, further crippling the traditional industries.
Objective of British Rule
- The primary objective of the British was to turn India into a captive market for the finished goods produced in Britain.
- They wanted to create a one-way flow of goods, where raw materials from India would be sent to Britain to be manufactured into finished products and then sold back to Indians at high prices.
- This strategy aimed to weaken the Indian economy and make it dependent on British goods, ultimately benefiting the British Empire.
Consequences
- As a result of these policies, many traditional handicrafts industries in India declined or disappeared altogether.
- Artisans were forced to abandon their crafts and seek alternative means of livelihood, leading to a loss of cultural heritage and traditional skills.
- The British rule not only devastated the economic prosperity of Indian artisans but also had a profound impact on the social fabric of Indian society.
In conclusion, the traditional handicrafts industries in India were indeed ruined under British rule, as their policies were designed to benefit the British economy at the expense of Indian artisans and their rich cultural heritage.