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

Question

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

1. A. Silk
2. B. Opium (Correct answer)
3. C. Black pepper
4. D. More than one of the above

Correct Answer

Option B — Opium

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Opium.

Key Points

• Opium was the chief economic foundation of the triangular commerce between India, China and England in the 18th-19th centuries.
• The British grew opium in India (notably in Bengal and Bihar) and exported it to China to pay for the huge quantities of Chinese tea, silk and porcelain that Britain imported — thereby balancing its trade deficit with China.
• The commodity at the heart of this triangular trade was opium, making option (B) correct.

Additional Information

• this opium trade was so central that it eventually led to the Opium Wars between Britain and China.
• For India, forced opium cultivation caused great agrarian distress.