Final answer:
The British loss of the 13 American colonies reinforced their economic exploitation of India, leading to deindustrialization and the prioritization of British economic interests. This focus resulted in the development of infrastructure primarily for British benefits and the extraction of Indian resources to support British industries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British loss of the 13 American colonies had significant repercussions on their colonial activities in India. After the Seven Years' War, Britain aimed at maintaining its global pre-eminence by tightening its control over India. The British Parliament's Calico Acts, which prohibited the importation of Indian finished cotton textiles, contributed to the deindustrialization of India to prevent competition with British goods.
This policy, coupled with the loss of the American colonies, pushed Britain to focus more on exploiting India's resources. Indian farmers were compelled to grow cash crops like cotton and tea, which led to the disruption of indigenous industries and bolstered British factories and households. Additionally, the imposition of high excise taxes on Indian textiles made English textiles cheaper in Indian markets, favoring British economic interests at the expense of local industries.
Following their victory in the Seven Years' War, the British East India Company consolidated its hold over India, exemplified by victories such as the Battle of Plassey in Bengal. Britain's increased focus on India after losing the American colonies prompted them to introduce an infrastructure designed primarily for their benefit, establishing railroads and telegraph lines to facilitate the movement of British goods and Indian cash crops, exhibiting a clear imperialistic approach.