Question

Why did the wool and silk producers in England protest against the import of Indian textiles in the early eighteenth century?

Answer 1

• In Europe and England, from the 1860s, there began a craze for printed Indian cotton textiles. These textiles were popular for their relative cheapness, fine texture and exquisite floral designs.
• Indian fabric was worn by rich people in England.
• Even the Queen of England used to wear Indian fabric.
• Till the end of the eighteenth century the world trade was dominated by Indian textiles.
• Worried by the popularity of Indian textiles, silk and wool makers in England began protesting against the import of Indian cotton textiles by the early eighteenth century.
• British Government imposed a ban on chintz (printed cotton textiles) in 1720, by enacting legislation. This legislation was known as the Calico Act.
• In England, textile industries had just started to develop during this time.
• By preventing the entry of Indian textiles, English producers wanted a secure market within England, as they were unable to compete with Indian textiles.
• The Calico printing industry was the first to grow under government protection.
• Plain unbleached Indian cloth or white muslin designs were printed. These were Indian designs which were now copied and printed in England.
• 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.
• Due to the imposition of very high duties on textiles imported into Britain, India found it very difficult to export textiles to England.
• Cotton textiles made in England successfully defeated the competition from Indian textile goods in American, European and African markets by the beginning of the nineteenth century.