They lost the race. India was taken by Britian because of technology. 18th century steel works in China were 800 years after the Chinese developed blast furnace level production facilities. Their societies held them back in my opinion.
“India was taken by Britain because of technology. “
Please read the history of the British takeover of India. Technology was NOT the deciding factor.
“18th century steel works in China were 800 years after the Chinese developed blast furnace level production facilities.”
Calling BS on that. Water mill powered iron and steel mills were late 17th century early 18th century technology. All previous Chinese efforts were muscle powered.