Final answer:
The three stages of colonialism in India were mercantile colonialism where Europeans established trade, administrative colonialism which saw the British government take direct control, and economic exploitation with resource extraction for British industries. These stages shaped modern India.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three stages of colonialism are generally characterized as mercantile colonialism, administrative colonialism, and economic exploitation. In the context of India, these stages manifested in a progressive invasion over time. Initially, during the mercantile phase, Europeans arrived for trade and established trade links. The Dutch, Portuguese, and French, and notably the British via the East India Company, engaged primarily in trading goods such as spices, silk, and cotton. The administrative phase began when the British government took direct control after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading to the establishment of the British Raj. During this time, the British consolidated power, altered administrative systems, and introduced a lingua franca to facilitate governance.
The final stage, economic exploitation, saw the extraction of resources and raw materials from India, which were then used to fuel industries in Britain, establishing a 'captive market' for British goods in India. The British developed infrastructure to transport these resources from the hinterlands to main port cities like Bombay (Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), and Madras (Chennai), facilitating their export to Britain. Post colonization, India's economic system has transitioned from this exploitative model towards a more self-sufficient and diversified economy. These stages collectively played a significant role in shaping modern India's social, political, and economic landscapes.