Q. What was the chief economic foundation of the triangular commerce between India, China and England ?

Correct Answer: b) Opium

Explanation: The triangular trade between India, China, and England during the 18th and 19th centuries was primarily based on opium. Here’s how it worked:

1. India to China: The British East India Company cultivated opium in India (mainly in Bengal and Bihar) and exported it to China. Opium was in high demand in China, despite the Chinese government’s attempts to ban its trade due to its harmful effects on society.

2. China to England: The British used the profits from the opium trade to purchase Chinese goods like tea, silk, and porcelain, which were highly sought after in England.

3. England to India: The British exported manufactured goods from England to India, completing the triangular trade.

This system was highly exploitative and led to significant social and economic consequences, including the infamous Opium Wars between Britain and China. While commodities like silk and black pepper were also traded, opium was the chief economic foundation of this triangular commerce.