Key Concepts
- 1Why did Indian textiles decline during British rule?
Important Formulas & Facts
Indian textiles (muslin, calico) declined because: (1) British imposed import duties on Indian cloth in Britain — made it uncompetitive. (2) Machine-made British cloth was cheaper and flooded Indian markets. (3) British took raw materials (cotton) from India at low prices. (4) Indian weavers lost markets — both domestic and international. (5) Deliberate British policy to make India a supplier of raw materials and buyer of finished goods. Result: De-industrialisation of India.
Must-Know Questions
Q1Who among the following invented the Spinning Jenny?
James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny in 1764, which sped up the spinning process and reduced labour demand.
Q2In the 18th century, the staple exports from India were:
In the 18th century, India's main exports were piece goods (textiles like cotton and silk), along with indigo, spices, and raw materials. Indian textiles dominated the international market.
Q3What was the 'putting-out system'?
The putting-out system was a pre-factory production method where merchants supplied raw materials to workers who worked at home and returned finished products. This was common in the textile industry before factory production.
Q4Why did some industrialists in 19th century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?
Machines were expensive, required large capital investment, and were not always effective. In seasonal industries with fluctuating demand, it was cheaper to hire and fire hand workers. Intricate designs and fine quality required hand skill. Also, workers resisted machines fearing job loss.
Q5Which was the first Indian-owned cotton textile mill?
The first Indian-owned cotton textile mill was set up in Bombay in 1854 by Cowasjee Nanabhoy Davar. By 1900, there were many Indian-owned mills.
Practice The Age of Industrialisation
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