Which industry was most developed in India before Independence?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Textile industry

Explanation:

Before independence, the Textile industry was the most developed and prominent in India.

• India had a long-standing tradition of producing cotton, silk, and woolen textiles, which were famous globally, especially Muslin of Dhaka, Chintz, and Calico.
• During the British colonial period, India’s traditional handloom industry suffered due to industrial policies favoring British-manufactured textiles, but despite this, modern textile mills—especially in cities like Mumbai (Bombay) and Ahmedabad—continued to grow.
• The first modern textile mill in India was set up in Mumbai in 1854, marking the industrial development of the sector.

Information Booster:

Phases of Industrialization in India:

Phase I – Abortive Phase (1818–1854)

• Features: Early attempts failed due to British suppressive policies.
• Examples: Textile (Kolkata, 1818), Iron smelting (Chennai, 1827), Paper (Chennai, 1832).
• Reason for failure: Lack of support from the British; no encouragement for private industry.

Phase II – Incipient Phase (1854–1907)

• Features: Rise of agro-based industries, especially cotton and jute.
• Key Developments:
• 1854: Cotton Mill (Mumbai)
• 1855: Jute Mill (Rishra)
• 1870s: Expansion of mills and paper industry.
• 1853: First railway (Mumbai–Thane)
• 1874: Bengal Iron Works
• Bombay became “Cotton polis of India”.

Phase III – Premature Phase (1907–1955)

• Features: Rise of basic industries like iron & steel.
• Key Developments:
• 1907: TISCO (Jamshedpur)
• 1919: TISCO at Kulti
• 1923: Vishweshwaraya Steel (Bhadravati)
• Policy shift with Industrial Policy Resolution 1948: Mixed economy, emphasis on public sector and small-scale industries.
• 1st Five-Year Plan (1951–56): Focus on agriculture & capacity expansion.

Phase IV – Early Mature Phase (1955–1985)

• 2nd Five-Year Plan (1956–61):
• Mahalanobis model: Focus on basic/heavy industries.
• Steel Plants: Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur.
• Industrial Policy 1956: Socialistic pattern.
• 4th FYP (1969–74): Bokaro Steel, small & agro industries.
• 5th FYP (1974–79): Growth in steel (SAIL, 1973), oil refining, heavy engineering.
• 6th FYP (1980–85): Start of liberalization, growth in consumer goods, electronics, and petrochemicals.

Phase V – Mature Phase (1985–Present)

7th FYP (1985–1990): Focus on high-tech industries, regional spread, private partnerships, and FDI.

Annual Plans (1990–92): Political instability; liberalization begins.

8th FYP (1992–1997):

• New Industrial Policy 1991 (Rao–Manmohan Model):
• Deregulation, De-licensing, FDI, FEMA replaces FERA.
• Boost to MNCs, automobiles, telecom.

10th FYP (2002–2007):

• Focus on modernization, exports, IT & pharma boom.
• Launch of SEZs, MAI, ASIDF, TUFS, textile development, tourism growth.

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