About 85% of the Indian population of colonial India depended on which of the following sector of the economy?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Agriculture.

·         During colonial India, approximately 85% of the population depended on agriculture for their livelihood.

This was because:

• Agricultural Dominance: The Indian economy was primarily agrarian, with most people engaged in farming and related activities.
• Limited Industrial Development: Colonial policies discouraged industrial growth, focusing instead on exporting raw materials and importing finished goods from Britain.
• Subsistence Farming: A majority of farmers practiced subsistence agriculture, growing just enough to feed their families, with little surplus for trade.
• Land Revenue System: Systems like the Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari heavily exploited farmers, making them dependent on agriculture for survival despite the challenges.