मॉडल ANSWER
India’s traditional art forms have been a source of pride & economic benefits throughout its history. However, in modern times it was affected by several factors including British rule.
Decline of traditional artisanal industry in British India happened due to various reasons:
1. Industrialization in Britain which led to flooding of cheap machine made goods in Indian market. Handicrafts were costly as compared to these goods.
2. Lack of patronage to artisans as it was prevalent in Mughal and early ruling class.
3. Heavy duties were applied on exports to Europe and middle East.
It crippled rural economy as,
Artisan class turned to agriculture which was already burdened, leading to reduced incomes.
Earlier small industries got shut down due to lack of advances and credit.
Further, new money lender class made artisans heavily debt ridden.
Ideological superiority of British Goods killed innovation in Rural Indian minds.
Thus, it led to huge losses of traditional knowledge and creativity of artisans.
