Which sector was most neglected during British rule in India?

The correct answer is Industrial sector.

Key Points

• During British rule in India, the industrial sector was severely neglected, as the colonial administration focused on extracting raw materials from India for industries in Britain.
• The British policies were designed to deindustrialize India, leading to the decline of traditional industries like textiles and handicrafts.
• No significant investment was made in modern industrial infrastructure or technology within India during this period.
• India was reduced to an agrarian economy, with its industrial sector serving primarily as a supplier of raw materials such as cotton and jute to British factories.
• The lack of industrial development during the colonial era contributed to widespread poverty and unemployment in post-independence India.

Additional Information

• Deindustrialization:
  • It refers to the decline of traditional industries such as textiles and handicrafts, largely due to British policies favoring imported goods from England.
  • India's artisans and craftsmen suffered immensely, as their products were replaced by cheap machine-made goods from Britain.
• Drain of Wealth Theory:
  • Proposed by Dadabhai Naoroji, this theory highlights how the British systematically drained India’s wealth by exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
  • The industrial sector stagnated as profits were siphoned off to Britain.
• Railway Development:
  • The British developed railways in India, but primarily to facilitate the transport of raw materials to ports for export.
  • This infrastructure development did not contribute significantly to industrial growth within India.
• Post-Independence Industrialization:
  • After independence, India implemented policies such as the Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 to revive and modernize its industrial sector.
  • Public sector undertakings (PSUs) and five-year plans were introduced to accelerate industrialization.