(I) By the early 19th century, India was effectively under British control, but this did not interfere with the religious and social structures which define India's identity. (II) To the British, India was principally a place to make money. (III) They concentrated on the expansion of iron and coal mining and the development of tea, coffee and cotton growing. (IV) Because of the scarcity of land and the widely held taboos against eating meat, especially beef arid pork, little livestock has been raised for slaughter. (V) Thus the Indians' culture, beliefs and religion were left strictly alone.