AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
Canal Colonies were areas in the semi-arid regions of Punjab where the British government built a network of irrigation canals, transforming dry wastelands into fertile agricultural land. They were established to boost agricultural production, particularly of wheat and cotton for export, and to settle landless peasants and retired soldiers by allotting them land in these newly irrigated zones.
This topic comes from the chapter on Livelihoods, Economies and Societies (Making of a Global World / Colonialism and the City context). Note that the source passages provided do not cover Canal Colonies — this is a factual question from your textbook knowledge (Class 10 History, Chapter 3 – The Making of a Global World). Key points examiners expect: (1) what they were — irrigated settlements in Punjab's semi-arid tracts, and (2) why established — agricultural expansion, export crops, and settling peasants/soldiers. Keep both points clear and concise for full 2 marks.