"During the British rule, contribution of industrial sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained very low." Justify the given statement with valid arguments in support of your answer. "The real motive behind infrastructural development under the British rule was not to provide basic amenities to the people of India but to subserve various colonial interests." Do you agree with the given statement ? Give valid reasons in support of your answer.

Question

Accepted Answer

I **justify** the statement that contribution of industrial sector to GDP remained very low during British rule. Arguments:

1. **De-industrialisation:** British systematically destroyed Indian handicraft industries through discriminatory tariff policy.

2. **Lack of Capital Goods Industries:** British rulers did not promote capital goods industry as they wanted Indians to depend on Britain.

3. **Limited Role of Public Sector:** Public sector remained confined to railways, power generation, communications, ports.

4. **Low Growth Rate:** Growth rate of new industrial sector and its contribution to GDP remained very small.

**Reasons:**
- British policies promoted agriculture over industry
- No investment in modern industrial technology
- Protectionism prevented development of competitive industries
- Infrastructure served British interests, not industrial development