What was the two-fold motive behind the systematic de-industrialisation effected by the British in pre-independent India?

Question

Accepted Answer

The following are the two-fold motives behind the systematic de-industrialisation effected by the British:

1. Making India a supplier of raw materials: The main motive of the British government was to make India a mere supplier of cheap raw materials to feed its own flourishing industrial base.

2. Making India a market for finished goods: Another important objective of the British government was to use India as a virgin market to sell the finished goods produced by the British industries.

This two-fold policy was enforced to ensure the maximum advantage of the home country.