Factories Come Up
In this section, we explore the rise of industrial factories in India during the 19th century. The first cotton mill was established in Bombay in 1854, followed shortly by jute mills in Bengal. Key entrepreneurs like Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy emerged from various backgrounds, utilizing capital gained from trade, particularly with China. As factories grew in number, a significant transformation occurred in the workforce, with many peasants and artisans migrating to industrial centers for employment. By 1901, there were 584,000 workers in Indian factories, and this number steadily increased over the years.
Despite the growth of factories, traditional industries faced challenges, especially with the influx of British manufactured goods that flooded the market. Entrepreneurs found themselves adapting to new economic conditions while managing the growing demands of factory work and the complexities of labor relations. The section effectively underscores the intricate relationship between emerging factories and existing crafts, illustrating the complexities of industrialization in colonial India.