Which industry was the most prominent in India before the British rule, though it had significant regional variations?

• India was the world leader in cotton textile production before the British colonization, with Dacca (now Dhaka) famous for its fine muslin textiles.

• The Indian cotton industry supplied textiles to Europe long before the British influence, and products like calico were traded widely in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

• Indian cotton was used to create textiles such as calico, bandhani, and khadi, which were highly valued in international markets.

• Indian textiles were a major export commodity in the 17th and 18th centuries, often seen in trade between India and Persia, Arabia, and Europe.

Additional Knowledge:

Tea and Coffee Plantations:

• The British introduced large-scale tea plantations in India during the 19th century, particularly in regions like Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiris.

• India became the largest producer of black tea globally, especially after the introduction of the tea industry by the British.

Sugar Mills:

• Sugar production in India has ancient roots, with early evidence of sugarcane cultivation in Indus Valley Civilization.

• India remains one of the largest producers of sugar today, and regions like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are the leading producers.

Mining:

• India has rich mineral deposits, and was historically known for the mining of diamonds, particularly in the Golconda region (present-day Andhra Pradesh), which was one of the world’s major diamond-producing centers.

• Iron ore and coal mining also dates back to ancient times, with the Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh regions historically being key areas for mining activity.