In the colonial period, cultivation expanded rapidly for a variety of reasons. First, the British directly encouraged the production of commercial crops like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton. The demand for these crops increased in nineteenth-century Europe where food grains were needed to feed the growing urban population and raw materials were required for industrial production. Second, in the early nineteenth century, the colonial state thought that forests were unproductive. They were considered to be wilderness that had to be brought under cultivation so that the land could yield agricultural products and revenue, and enhance the income of the state.

Cultivation was expanded in colonial times because british officials thought that by expanding cultivation they could expand their revenue collection it could at the same time they produce more jute cotton and wheat that were important in England. They saw uncultivated lands as unproductive land that produce neither revenue nor agricultural produce so they wanted to transform all grazing lands into cultivable lands they also reserved some forests that produce commercially valuable timber like deodar or sol other people have no access to these forests.Hope this answer is helpful.

Introduction:

During the colonial period, the cultivation expanded rapidly due to various factors. This expansion was driven by the need for economic growth, increased demand for agricultural products, technological advancements, and the availability of fertile land. Additionally, the colonial powers encouraged and supported agricultural activities to exploit the resources of their colonies.

Factors contributing to the rapid expansion of cultivation:

1. Economic Growth: The expansion of cultivation was closely linked to the economic growth of the colonial powers. The colonies provided a source of raw materials and agricultural products that could be exported back to the home country. This fueled the need to expand cultivation to meet the growing demand for goods.

2. Increased Demand: The demand for agricultural products, such as crops, timber, and plantations, was on the rise during the colonial period. These products were needed to sustain the growing populations in both the colonies and the home countries. The expansion of cultivation was necessary to meet this increased demand.

3. Technological Advancements: The colonial period witnessed significant advancements in agricultural technology. This included the introduction of new farming methods, tools, and machinery. These technological advancements increased the efficiency and productivity of cultivation, making it more profitable and attractive to farmers.

4. Availability of Fertile Land: The colonies provided vast amounts of fertile land that was suitable for cultivation. This land was often abundant and underutilized by the indigenous populations. The colonial powers saw this as an opportunity to exploit the resources and establish large plantations for cash crops, such as tobacco, cotton, and sugar.

5. Government Support: The colonial powers actively encouraged and supported agricultural activities in their colonies. They provided incentives, subsidies, and land grants to settlers and farmers to promote cultivation. The colonial governments also established infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and transportation networks, to facilitate agricultural production and trade.

6. Slave Labor: The expansion of cultivation in the colonial period was heavily reliant on slave labor. Enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the colonies to work on plantations and farms. This allowed for the large-scale cultivation of cash crops, which further fueled economic growth and expansion.

Conclusion:

The rapid expansion of cultivation in the colonial period was driven by economic growth, increased demand, technological advancements, the availability of fertile land, government support, and the use of slave labor. These factors combined to create a favorable environment for the expansion of agricultural activities, leading to the establishment of large plantations, increased production, and the exploitation of resources in the colonies.