Question

What problems were faced by Indian weavers due to British industrialisation?

Answer 1

• Shortage of raw material: - As raw cotton was being exported to England, there was a shortage of raw materials. When the American Civil War broke out, and the cotton supplies from the United States were cut off. Britain turned to India. As raw cotton exports from India increased, the price of raw cotton shot up. Weavers in India were starved of supplies and forced to buy raw cotton at exorbitant prices.
• Clashes with Gomasthas: - Gomasthas were appointed by the government to supervise weavers to collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth. The Gomasthas acted arrogantly and punished weavers for delays in supply. So the weavers dashed with them.
• Collapse of the local and foreign market: - Due to industrialisation in Britain, their export market collapsed. As British traders started exporting machine-made clothes to India, so their local market shrank.