What percentage of India's population lived in villages and depended on agriculture during British colonial rule?

During British colonial rule, it is estimated that approximately 70-80% of India's population lived in villages and depended on agriculture. The rural economy was primarily agrarian, with the majority of people engaged in farming, fishing, and other forms of rural livelihood. This heavy dependence on agriculture was a result of traditional practices and socio-economic structures that defined Indian society at the time. The British colonial policies often exacerbated the challenges faced by these rural populations, leading to significant changes in agricultural practices, land ownership, and rural livelihoods over the course of their rule.

This demographic representation highlights the rural character of India during the colonial period and underscores the importance of agriculture in the socio-economic framework of the country. The impact of colonial rule on agriculture had long-lasting effects that contributed to modern India's economic structure and rural development issues.