Which one of the following was NOT a direct cause of the decline of the pre-British village artisan industries?

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Correct option is C

Development of road transportation system

The decline of pre-British village artisan industries in India is often attributed to several significant factors brought about by British colonial policies. The following points clarify the causes:

1. Introduction of railways: The British introduced the railway system primarily to serve their imperial interests, facilitating the transport of raw materials from the colonies to Britain. This development led to a decline in local artisan industries as it enabled the cheap import of manufactured goods, undermining traditional industries.

2. Growth of modern industries in India: With British control, there was a growth in modern, large-scale industries. These industries produced goods more cheaply and efficiently, leading to a decline in the local village industries. The influx of British manufactured goods was a direct threat to traditional artisan crafts.

3. Introduction of money economy in India: The shift from a barter-based to a money-based economy made traditional village industries less viable. Artisans were forced to rely on a market system that often favored large-scale industries and foreign imports, diminishing the demand for handmade goods.

4. Development of road transportation system: While road transportation did improve infrastructure, it was not a direct factor in the decline of the village artisan industries. In fact, roads may have provided better access to markets for these industries. The major causes of the decline were more directly related to the imposition of policies and the growth of industries that disrupted local economies.

Information Booster:

1. Railways played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of goods for the British empire, reducing the demand for locally manufactured products by making British goods more accessible.

2. Modern industries set up by the British, such as textile mills and factories, replaced many traditional industries and led to job losses for artisans.

3. The money economy discouraged barter and made it difficult for artisans to sustain their trades, as they could no longer rely on direct exchanges for their goods.

4. The development of roads helped improve communication and transport across the country but was not as directly impactful as the other factors in the decline of artisan industries.

Additional Information:

• Introduction of Railways: Railways led to the transportation of mass-produced British goods to all parts of India, undermining local craftsmanship.

• Growth of Modern Industries: The British established factories that could produce goods on a much larger scale and at lower costs, which overtook local cottage industries.

• Introduction of Money Economy: The shift to a money economy led to the marginalization of traditional barter systems that had supported many local artisan industries.