Question

Explain any two salient features of India’s foreign trade during the British rule.

Hint:

India exported primary products and imported finished goods and machinery. Britain held a monopoly over Indias trade, so more than half of it was with Britain.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand the question:
We need any two salient features of India foreign trade during British rule.

Step 2: Feature 1: pattern of trade:
India became an exporter of primary products such as raw silk and cotton.
India became an importer of finished consumer goods such as cotton and silk clothes, and of capital goods like machinery from Britain.

Step 3: Feature 2: British monopoly:
Britain kept a monopoly control over India exports and imports.
As a result, more than half of India foreign trade was restricted to Britain.
The rest was allowed with a few other countries like China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Persia (Iran).

Final Answer:
Two features: India exported raw materials and imported finished goods, and Britain held a monopoly over India trade.