Assertion: British capital accumulation in the 18th century was reinvested in industrial development.

Reason: The capital was largely controlled by merchants and industrialists instead of the feudal aristocracy.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Both Assertion A and Reason R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:

• During the 18th century, Britain accumulated wealth from colonial trade, including the slave trade and raw materials.

• This capital was reinvested in industrial development, especially in textiles, iron, and coal industries.

• Unlike feudal societies, British wealth was increasingly controlled by merchants and industrialists, not land-owning aristocrats.

• These capitalists had a profit motive and invested in technology and infrastructure.

• This shift from feudal to industrial capital was key to the Industrial Revolution.
Information Booster:

• The rise of banks, joint-stock companies, and colonial profits facilitated large-scale investments.

• Merchants had greater flexibility to take risks compared to the feudal lords.

• Britain’s capitalist class supported innovations like the steam engine, spinning jenny, etc.

• Feudal aristocracy mostly focused on land-based income and resisted industrial change.

• The change in economic control enabled Britain to industrialize earlier than other European nations.