SSC Stenographer 2025 PYQ — Question 21

SSC Stenographer - 07 Aug 2025 - Shift 2 • General Awareness • Q21

Given below are assertion and reason, read the statements and choose the correct option.

Assertion: British capital accumulation in the 18th century was reinvested in industrial development.

Reason: The capital was largely controlled by merchants and industrialists instead of the feudal aristocracy.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

Answer: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Explanation: The assertion is correct because during the 18th century, Britain experienced the Industrial Revolution, and the capital accumulated through trade, colonies, and commerce was reinvested into industrial development such as factories, machinery, and infrastructure.

The reason is also correct because in Britain, economic power was increasingly in the hands of the merchant and industrial capitalist class, rather than the feudal aristocracy. This shift allowed capital to be directed toward productive industrial investment instead of land-based aristocratic consumption.

Since control of capital by merchants and industrialists directly enabled reinvestment into industry, the reason correctly explains the assertion.

Additional Key Facts

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the mid-18th century.

Key sectors included textiles, iron, and steam power.

Rise of capitalism weakened the traditional feudal system.

Banking and financial institutions supported industrial investment.

Colonial trade provided raw materials and markets for British industries.

Potential Exam-Oriented Questions & Answers

Question: What was a major source of capital for British industrialization?
Answer: Colonial trade and commerce

Question: Which industries first developed during the Industrial Revolution?
Answer: Textile and iron industries