Question:medium

Which of the following is a structural change that happened in Indian economy due to British rule?

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In history and economics questions, carefully distinguish between economic, social, political, and cultural changes. "Structural economic change" points to deep-rooted shifts in production, trade patterns, and economic relationships, not just surface-level or cultural influences.
Updated On: Mar 12, 2026
  • Modernisation of thought
  • Sanskritisation of lower castes
  • Dependency on British industrialisation
  • Westernisation of mass media
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The query seeks a fundamental economic alteration in the Indian economy attributable to British governance. A structural change signifies a profound, enduring modification to the economy's foundational organization, encompassing inter-sectoral relationships (agriculture, industry) and its global economic integration.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Option (A) Modernisation of thought and (D) Westernisation of mass media are classified as socio-cultural shifts, rather than primary economic structural transformations.
Option (B) Sanskritisation of lower castes represents a dynamic of social progression within India's existing social hierarchy, not a direct economic consequence initiated by British rule.
Option (C) Dependency on British industrialisation denotes a foundational economic realignment. British policies deliberately dismantled India's established handicraft and textile sectors, leading to de-industrialisation. India transitioned from exporting finished goods to supplying raw materials for British factories and serving as a market for their manufactured products. This established a persistent dependency, fundamentally reshaping the Indian economy's structure.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The most precise response is the establishment of a dependency on British industrialisation, which constituted a core structural reconfiguration of the Indian economy during the colonial era.
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