Question

How did the Indian textile initiated during the early eighteenth century

Answer 1

Dear Student,

The historical centers of the trade like Surat and Hooghly declined during the 18th century. The Calcutta and Bombay emerged as new centers of textile trade. The East India Company established its right to trade. The existing traders and brokers who were connected with the cloth trade were eliminated. East India Company tried to establish more direct control of the weavers through Gomasthas.
EIC prevented weavers from dealing with other buyers through the system of advances. Under this system, the weavers were given loans to purchase raw materials. Once a weaver took the advance, he could not sell his produce to any other trader.
The system of advances resulted in many weavers falling into the debt trap. In many places in Carnatic and Bengal, weavers deserted villages and migrated to other villages to set up looms or return to farming.
This is how the Indian textile industry started in the 18th century under EIC.

Regards,