Opinion: European colonialism, especially by the British, led to the economic
exploitation of India. The British extracted resources, raw materials, and wealth from India,
leaving the country impoverished. They established a colonial economy that prioritized
British interests, such as manufacturing goods for export, rather than developing the Indian
economy for the benefit of the local population. The British also imposed heavy taxes, which
further impoverished the common people, and destroyed local industries, such as textiles.
This exploitation is one of the key reasons for India’s underdevelopment during the colonial
period