How did the British rulers cripple Indian handicrafts? What were its consequences?

British rulers crippled Indian arts and crafts. An act was passed in 1720 which prohibited the use of Indian silk and cotton in England. Heavy duties on Indian silk and cotton textiles in Britain- 70% and 80%, respectively destroyed those industries. On the other hand, British goods were imported into India at a nominal duty.

The consequences of these actions were that by the middle of the 19th century, export of cotton and silk goods from India practically ceased. The arts of spinning and weaving which for ages had given employment to thousands of artisans became extinct. Manufacturing towns of Dhaka, Murshidabad and Surat became helpless and desolate.