Detailed Summary of Section 4.2: Where Did the Workers Come From?
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the expansion of factories in India significantly increased the demand for labor. By 1901, there were about 584,000 factory workers, and this number grew to over 2.4 million by 1946. Most of the workers in industrial regions originated from nearby districts, seeking employment as peasants and artisans faced dwindling opportunities in agriculture. For instance, in 1911, over 50% of the workers in Bombay's cotton industries came from the neighboring Ratnagiri district.
Furthermore, workers often alternated between rural and urban jobs; they returned to their villages during harvests and festivals. Job seekers would travel considerable distances as news of job openings spread. While job opportunities were increasing, competition for these positions remained high, making entry into factories challenging.
Industrialists commonly employed 'jobbers', trusted older workers who helped recruit newcomers from rural areas, facilitated their settlement in cities, and provided financial support in tough times. This practice, however, granted jobbers a degree of authority that could lead to exploitation.
Overall, the migration of workers from rural to urban settings illustrates the economic shifts during the industrial era, shaping the labor force and influencing social dynamics within Indian factories.