UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 43

This question tests industrial revolution and indian handicrafts. The key concept is: The early Industrial Revolution transformed India's economic relationship with Britain. Machine-made British textiles displaced Indian handicrafts in many markets, while colonial tariff and trade policies reinforced deindustrialisation. Large-scale mechanisation of India's textile industry and extensive railway construction occurred later, so they do not explain the first-half nineteenth-century impact asked here. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — Indian handicrafts were ruined.: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because The early Industrial Revolution transformed India's economic relationship with Britain. Machine-made British textiles displaced Indian handicrafts in many markets, while colonial tariff and trade policies reinforced deindustrialisation. Large-scale mechanisation of India's textile industry and extensive railway construction occurred later, so they do not explain the first-half nineteenth-century impact asked here. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — Machines were introduced in the Indian textile industry in large numbers.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The early Industrial Revolution transformed India's economic relationship with Britain. Machine-made British textiles displaced Indian handicrafts in many markets, while colonial tariff and trade policies reinforced deindustrialisation. Large-scale mechanisation of India's textile industry and extensive railway construction occurred later, so they do not explain the first-half nineteenth-century impact asked here. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — Railway lines were laid in many parts of the country.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The early Industrial Revolution transformed India's economic relationship with Britain. Machine-made British textiles displaced Indian handicrafts in many markets, while colonial tariff and trade policies reinforced deindustrialisation. Large-scale mechanisation of India's textile industry and extensive railway construction occurred later, so they do not explain the first-half nineteenth-century impact asked here. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — Heavy duries were imposed on the imports of British Manufactures.: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: The early Industrial Revolution transformed India's economic relationship with Britain. Machine-made British textiles displaced Indian handicrafts in many markets, while colonial tariff and trade policies reinforced deindustrialisation. Large-scale mechanisation of India's textile industry and extensive railway construction occurred later, so they do not explain the first-half nineteenth-century impact asked here. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.