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Question 7.
What objectives did the British intend to achieve through their policies of infrastructure development in India?
The British developed infrastructure in India mainly to serve their colonial and economic interests, not to promote balanced economic development. Their key objectives were as follows:
1. Facilitation of Trade and Raw Material Supply
Roads, railways, ports, and canals were developed to ensure the easy transport of raw materials like cotton, jute, coal, tea, and indigo from inland areas to ports for export to Britain.
2. Expansion of Market for British Goods
Improved transport and communication helped British machine-made goods reach even remote Indian markets, increasing sales and profits for British industries.
3. Administrative and Military Control
Infrastructure aided faster movement of British officials, army, and police, helping the colonial government maintain law and order and suppress revolts.
4. Strengthening Colonial Exploitation
Infrastructure supported the extraction of resources at low cost, making India a raw material base and captive marketfor British industries.
5. Integration of Indian Economy with British Economy
The British designed infrastructure to link India’s economy closely with Britain, benefiting the imperial economy rather than Indian industrial growth.
Conclusion
Thus, the infrastructure developed by the British was colonial in nature, aimed at strengthening British control and profits, while offering limited long-term benefits to Indian economic development.