Multiple choice

With reference to the period of colonial rule in India, “Home Charges” formed an important part of drain of wealth from India. Which of the following funds constituted “Home Charges”?

  1. Funds used to support the India Office in London
  2. Funds used to pay salaries and pensions of British personnel engaged in India
  3. Funds used for waging wars outside India by the British

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Home Charges' were expenses incurred by the British colonial administration in India that were paid out of Indian revenues but sent to Britain. These included: 1) Funding the India Office in London, 2) Salaries and pensions of British personnel in India, and 3) Costs of wars waged outside India (like wars in Afghanistan and Burma). All three constituted Home Charges, representing a significant drain of wealth from India to Britain.

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