UPSC CSE Prelims

Correct Option: B (its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions) Explanation: German synthetic indigo developed in the late nineteenth century displaced plant-based indigo with cheaper, scalable dye manufacture, undermining Indian indigo’s profitability by the early 1900s. Option-wise Analysis: A. Incorrect - Resistance to exploitative plantation practices was important historically but not the chief global-market reason for this timing. B. Correct - synthetic dyes made natural indigo commercially uncompetitive. C. Incorrect - Nationalist politics opposed colonial exploitation but did not cause the main worldwide technological substitution. D. Incorrect - Direct state control was not the principal reason for the collapse in natural-indigo demand.