Class 10 - Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation

Write in Brief

1. Explain the following:

(a) Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny.

The Spinning Jenny increased the production of yarn and reduced the need for skilled hand spinners. Many women who earned their livelihood through spinning feared unemployment and loss of income. As a result, they opposed the machine and sometimes attacked it.

(b) In the seventeenth century merchants from towns in Europe began employing peasants and artisans within the villages.

Merchants began employing peasants and artisans in villages because urban guilds imposed strict regulations on production and trade. Rural workers were available at lower wages and could produce goods for expanding international markets without guild restrictions.

(c) The port of Surat declined by the end of the eighteenth century.

Surat declined because the European East India Companies gradually shifted trade to ports under their control, such as Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. As a result, Surat lost its importance as a major trading centre.

(d) The East India Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers in India.

The East India Company appointed gomasthas to ensure a regular supply of textiles. They supervised weavers, collected goods, distributed advances and prevented weavers from selling their products to other buyers.

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2. Write True or False against each statement:

(a) At the end of the nineteenth century, 80 per cent of the total workforce in Europe was employed in the technologically advanced industrial sector.
Answer: False

(b) The international market for fine textiles was dominated by India till the eighteenth century.
Answer: True

(c) The American Civil War resulted in the reduction of cotton exports from India.
Answer: False

(d) The introduction of the fly shuttle enabled handloom workers to improve their productivity.
Answer: True

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3. Explain what is meant by proto-industrialisation.

Proto-industrialisation refers to the stage of industrial development before the establishment of factories. During this period, merchants supplied raw materials to rural households, where peasants and artisans produced goods for national and international markets using simple tools and manual labour.

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Discuss

1. Why did some industrialists in nineteenth-century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?

Some industrialists preferred hand labour because workers were cheaper than installing and maintaining expensive machines. Hand labour also provided greater flexibility in production. Many goods required intricate designs, fine finishing and individual craftsmanship that machines could not easily produce. In industries where demand fluctuated seasonally, hiring workers was more economical than investing in costly machinery. Moreover, certain luxury products were valued for their handmade quality. Therefore, even during industrialisation, hand labour continued to play an important role in many industries across Europe.

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2. How did the East India Company procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers?

The East India Company established a system to secure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles. It appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers and manage production. Weavers were given advances to purchase raw materials and were required to sign agreements promising to supply cloth only to the Company. The gomasthas closely monitored production and prevented weavers from selling their goods to other traders. This system gave the Company greater control over textile production but often reduced the independence of weavers and forced them to work under difficult conditions.

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3. Imagine that you have been asked to write an article for an encyclopaedia on Britain and the history of cotton. Write your piece using information from the entire chapter.

Britain and the History of Cotton

The cotton industry played a major role in Britain's industrialisation. Before the Industrial Revolution, Britain imported fine cotton textiles from India, which dominated world markets. To compete with Indian textiles, British manufacturers introduced technological innovations such as the Spinning Jenny, Water Frame and Power Loom. These inventions greatly increased productivity and transformed textile production.

The growth of factories led to increased demand for raw cotton. Britain obtained cotton from colonies, especially the United States and later India. During the nineteenth century, British cotton textiles became major exports worldwide. The expansion of railways, steamships and global trade further strengthened the industry. Cotton became the foundation of Britain's industrial growth and contributed significantly to its economic power.

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4. Why did industrial production in India increase during the First World War?

Industrial production in India increased during the First World War because British factories were heavily engaged in producing war materials and could not supply manufactured goods to India. As imports from Britain declined, Indian industries had to meet domestic demand. The war also created new demands for products such as jute bags, cloth, steel and other materials required by the military. Existing factories worked longer hours, and new factories were established. As a result, industrial output, employment and profits increased significantly during the war period.