Manchester Comes to India
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Impact of British Industrialization
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Today, we'll discuss how British industrialization, especially in Manchester, influenced Indian textile exports. Can anyone tell me what happened to Indian textiles by the early 19th century?
The exports declined significantly, right? From 33% to 3%?
Exactly! Can anyone suggest reasons for this steep decline?
I think it had to do with cheaper goods from Manchester flooding the market.
And the British government probably imposed duties on Indian textiles to protect their industries.
Right! The issue was twofold: there was an overflow of cheap British textiles and government protection for those goods. Good recall! Let's remember this with the acronym 'DUMP'— Decline, Unfavorable trade, Manchester textiles, and Prices.
Now, to recap—what were the two main factors contributing to the decline of Indian textiles?
Competition from British textiles and government tax imposition!
Absolutely! Great job, class!
Effects on Indian Weavers
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Next, let's explore how this decline impacted Indian weavers. What hardships did they face?
Many weavers couldn't compete with the cheaper Manchester products.
And they suffered from poor working conditions and low wages too?
Exactly! A lot of weavers began abandoning their workshops or migrating to seek other employment. Let's remember the term 'DIE', which stands for Desolation, Inequality, and Emigration.
DIE is a strong term! It really shows how horrible the situation became.
It does, indeed. Now can someone summarize the failure of the weaving industry?
Weavers were forced out of business due to competition, high raw material prices, and government intervention.
Excellent! This projection of weavers' struggles highlights the dire socio-economic consequences of industrial competition.
Role of the East India Company
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Let's shift to the East India Company. What role did it play in the decline of Indian textiles?
They imposed monopolies and tried to control the trades.
They appointed gomasthas to manage weavers, right?
Exactly! Think about how these actions affected the weavers' ability to produce textiles. Can anyone summarize the term 'FORT', representing the key role played by the East India Company?
'FORT'—Control over Finance, Orders, Raw material access, and Trade. They restricted weavers’ freedom.
Great summary! It gives you a clear picture of how the power dynamics shifted under colonial rule.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section outlines the change in textiles from India, detailing the rise of British cotton industries, their impact on Indian exports, and the introduction of Manchester textiles into local markets that contributed to the decline of Indian textile production.
Detailed
Manchester Comes to India
In the late 18th century, India was known for its high-quality textiles, dominating global trade. However, by the early 19th century, Indian textile exports faced significant challenges due to competition from the burgeoning cotton industries in England, particularly Manchester.
Key Points Covered
- Decline in Indian Textile Exports: The share of Indian piece-goods in exports plummeted from 33% in 1811-12 to 3% by1850-51. The rapid industrialization in Britain, particularly in Manchester, led to cheaper, machine-produced textiles that flooded Indian markets.
- Government Pressures: British industrialists pressured the East India Company to impose duties on Indian textiles, enabling local Manchester textiles to dominate without facing competition.
- Impact on Indian Weavers: The influx of British textiles resulted in a dual crisis for Indian weavers; a collapse in their export markets and an over-saturated local market made it difficult for them to survive economically. Reports from various regions indicated significant declines in weaving activities, with many weavers migrating or ceasing operations altogether.
- Strategic Shifts in Supply: Weavers also faced challenges in sourcing quality raw cotton following the American Civil War, which led to increased prices that made their production unfeasible. Subsequently, local factories began producing goods that further undermined traditional handloom weaving.
This section critically examines how British industrialization reshaped the textile industry in India, driving local artisans into economic distress and altering traditional trade dynamics.
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Decline of Indian Textile Exports
Chapter 1 of 5
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Chapter Content
In 1772, Henry Patullo, a Company official, had ventured to say that the demand for Indian textiles could never reduce, since no other nation produced goods of the same quality. Yet by the beginning of the nineteenth century we see the beginning of a long decline of textile exports from India. In 1811-12 piece-goods accounted for 33 per cent of India’s exports; by 1850-51 it was no more than 3 per cent.
Detailed Explanation
In this chunk, we learn about the initial optimism regarding Indian textiles and how it shifted to decline over a few decades. Despite previous confidence that Indian textiles were unparalleled in quality, the early 1800s saw a drop in their export share drastically. By 1811-1812, textiles made up a significant portion of exports, but by 1850-1851, that number had plummeted. This shows how rapidly changes occurred in the industrial landscape and market dynamics.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a popular local restaurant that was famous for its unique dishes. Initially, it catered to a large crowd, but as more restaurants opened offering similar or even better options, it saw a drastic drop in customers. This reflects the decline of the Indian textile market in the face of changing competition.
Impact of British Cotton Industries
Chapter 2 of 5
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Chapter Content
As cotton industries developed in England, industrial groups began worrying about imports from other countries. They pressurised the government to impose import duties on cotton textiles so that Manchester goods could sell in Britain without facing any competition from outside. At the same time industrialists persuaded the East India Company to sell British manufactures in Indian markets as well.
Detailed Explanation
This excerpt highlights the strategies employed by British industrialists to protect their growing cotton industry. By lobbying for import duties, they aimed to shield their products from foreign competition, including Indian textiles. As a result, this set the stage for British cotton goods to flood the Indian market while undermining local products, leading to a significant economic shift in favor of British manufacturers.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a local shoe manufacturer that starts to feel threatened by cheaper imports. They may lobby for higher taxes on those imports so that consumers buy locally made shoes. Here, we can see a parallel with how British cotton industries tried to protect themselves and their profits at the expense of Indian textiles.
Effects on Indian Weavers
Chapter 3 of 5
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Chapter Content
Cotton weavers in India thus faced two problems at the same time: their export market collapsed, and the local market shrank, being glutted with Manchester imports. Produced by machines at lower costs, the imported cotton goods were so cheap that weavers could not easily compete with them.
Detailed Explanation
This section explains the dual pressure faced by cotton weavers due to the influx of inexpensive British goods and the collapse of their export markets. As the local market became oversaturated with cheaper textiles from Manchester, many weavers struggled to sustain their livelihoods, indicating a critical moment of economic distress for traditional artisans.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a local farmer who is unable to sell their produce because supermarket chains are selling fruits and vegetables at lower prices. The farmer may find themselves with unsold goods, similar to how Indian weavers became unable to compete against imported textiles.
Consequences of Increased Raw Cotton Prices
Chapter 4 of 5
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Chapter Content
By the 1860s, weavers faced a new problem. They could not get sufficient supply of raw cotton of good quality. When the American Civil War broke out and cotton supplies from the US 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.
Detailed Explanation
During the 1860s, the issue of raw cotton supply became critical as the American Civil War disrupted imports. British demand for Indian cotton increased dramatically, but this heightened demand caused prices to rise sharply. Local weavers could not afford to purchase the cotton, impacting their ability to produce textiles, which compounded their financial struggles.
Examples & Analogies
This situation is akin to a café owner facing rising coffee bean prices due to increased global demand. As prices rise, it becomes unfeasible to purchase the same quality beans, which ultimately forces the café to increase prices for customers or reduce the quality of offerings.
Market Overrun by Machine Goods
Chapter 5 of 5
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Chapter Content
Then, by the end of the nineteenth century, weavers and other craftspeople faced yet another problem. Factories in India began production, flooding the market with machine-goods. How could weaving industries possibly survive?
Detailed Explanation
As factories emerged in India towards the end of the nineteenth century, they flooded the market with machine-produced goods, further diminishing the weavers' ability to compete. This represents a pivotal change in the industrial landscape whereby machinery not only transformed production methods but also posed significant challenges to traditional artisans.
Examples & Analogies
This is similar to a small-town bakery being overtaken by a chain store that can produce baked goods faster and cheaper, making it difficult for the bakery to maintain its clientele or survive in the market.
Key Concepts
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Decline of Exports: The significant drop in Indian textile exports due to competition from British industries.
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Role of the East India Company: How the Company controlled the weavers and suppressed local industries.
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Impact on Weavers: The socioeconomic decline faced by Indian weavers due to the overwhelming competition.
Examples & Applications
The shift from high-quality Indian textiles to cheaper machine-produced textiles from Manchester demonstrates significant changes in global trade dynamics.
Reports of weavers migrating to other regions in search of work illustrate the personal costs of industrial competition.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Woven fine to shift and twine, now downcast by the cotton line.
Stories
Once upon a time, Indian weavers spun dreams with their threads, but alas, the machines rolled in, leaving their patterns in the dust.
Memory Tools
DUMP - Decline, Unfavorable trade, Manchester textiles, and Prices.
Acronyms
FORT - Finance, Orders, Raw materials, Trade.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- East India Company
A trading company that played a crucial role in establishing British colonial rule in India.
- Textiles
Cloth items produced in various forms, including woven, knitted, etc.
- Gomastha
A paid supervisor appointed by the East India Company to manage weavers.
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