Deindustrialization refers to the process of decline or destruction of traditional industries, especially manufacturing activities, resulting in a reduction of industrial production, employment opportunities, and the economic importance of handicrafts and indigenous industries. In the context of Indian history from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, deindustrialization mainly refers to the decline of India’s traditional handicraft industries under British colonial rule and the transformation of India from a major producer of manufactured goods into a supplier of raw materials and a market for British industrial products. Before the advent of British dominance, India had a flourishing handicraft and textile industry. Indian cotton and silk textiles, metalwork, handicrafts, shipbuilding, and other artisanal products were highly valued in international markets. Cities such as Dhaka, Murshidabad, Surat, and Masulipatnam were important centres of textile production and trade. Skilled artisans produced high-quality goods that were exported to Europe, West Asia, and other regions. The economy of many rural and urban communities was closely connected with these industries. The process of deindustrialization began gradually with the expansion of British economic control in India during the eighteenth century. The Industrial