Question

What problems did the Indian textile industry face in the early years of its development?

Answer 1

• Due to the imposition of very high duties on textiles imported into Britain, India found it very difficult to export textiles to England.
• British Government imposed a ban on chintz (printed cotton textiles) in 1720, by enacting legislation. This legislation was known as the Calico Act.
• By preventing the entry of Indian textiles, English producers wanted a secure market within England, as they were unable to compete with Indian textiles.
• In England, due to stiff competition from Indian textiles, there was a search for innovation in technology.
• Productivity of the traditional spindles was increased by spinning jenny, which was invented by John Kaye in 1764.
• Cotton textile weaving was revolutionized by the invention of the steam engine in 1786 by Richard Arkwright.
• It was now possible to weave clothes cheaply as well as in large quantities.
• To secure supplies, agents no longer gave advances to weavers as the European and English companies stopped purchasing goods from India.
• Indian markets were flooded with British cotton clothes by the 1830s.
• Two-thirds of all the cotton clothes worn by the Indians by the 1880s were produced in Britain.
• Indian textiles lost its market leadership in American, European and African markets due to the textile industry of England.