British' interest in india [7]

Question 1

Why was India known as “The Golden Sparrow of the East”?

Answer 1

• India was known as “The Golden Sparrow of the East” due to its immense wealth.
• Merchants who visited India spread stories about its riches, including highly valued goods like silk, spices, and indigo.
• These products became symbols of class and were in high demand in Britain.

Question 2

Why did the British value Indian goods such as spices and silk?

Answer 2

• Spices gave British food an exotic taste but could not be grown in Britain due to its climate.
• Silk became a major trade product and a symbol of class among the British.
• Trade with India was highly profitable and contributed significantly to British wealth.

Question 3

How did the wealth of India contribute to the Industrial Revolution in Britain?

Answer 3

• Some historians argue that the wealth taken from India provided resources and finances that helped British industries flourish during the Industrial Revolution.

Question 4

Why did the British want to expel other European colonial powers from India?

Answer 4

• The British wanted to acquire a monopoly on trade in India by expelling other European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, and French.
• At the time, there was a race among European nations to establish colonies for trade and cultural influence.

Question 5

What strategic importance did India hold for British trade expansion?

Answer 5

• The British wanted to expand their trade and influence in the Far East and South Asia.
• India’s location, surrounded by warm water seas, provided strategic ports that could operate year-round, allowing the British to trade in multiple directions efficiently.