Final answer:
Good infrastructure is crucial for the economic development and social stability of an empire, as seen in historical and modern India, where it supports industry, the middle class, and essential services.
Step-by-step explanation:
Good infrastructure is key in the maintenance of an empire, including the Indian Empire, because it facilitates the movement of goods, services, and people, which is critical for economic development and social stability. For instance, during the British colonial period, infrastructure such as roads, railroad networks, and port facilities were developed to transport materials and agricultural products from the interior to the ports for export, favoring the colonizers over the colonized. Despite this exploitation, the infrastructure established became the backbone for modern India's continuing development, supporting industries and the growing middle class in urban areas. Today, this infrastructure is vital for India's IT and outsourcing industries, as well as for ensuring that educated workers, with access to health care and other essential services, can contribute effectively to the economy.