Question

Who had the monopoly to produce salt?

• A. British Government
• B. Indian Businessman
• C. Local People
• D. British Government

Hint:

Historical Context: The British Salt Act (1882) criminalized unauthorized salt production, forcing Indians to buy expensive British salt. This monopoly became a focal point of Gandhi’s 1930 Salt Satyagraha.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The passage explicitly describes the salt monopoly as a colonial policy where the British Government controlled salt production and sales. Key evidence includes: 
- The government destroyed natural salt to prevent free access (e.g., "destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably"). 
- It imposed a tax of up to 1,000% (per the text), ensuring only taxed British salt was available. 
- Gandhi condemns this as a "fourfold curse," highlighting its exploitative nature.