Manchester Comes to India| Class 10 History Notes
Last Updated :
29 Apr, 2024
Manchester Comes to India – The Early Entrepreneurs, Where Did the Workers Come From – Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 The Age of Industrialization discusses that the Age of Industrialization was a period of social and economic change that transformed a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society. It discussed the impact of the Industrial Revolution on India, and how it led to the decline of the Indian textile industry. The chapter also discusses the rise of Manchester as a center of textile production and the role of Indian workers in the Manchester mills.
In this article, we will look into the topic ‘Manchester Comes to India – The Early Entrepreneurs, Where Did the Workers Come From’ in detail. It is an important topic in Class 10 Social Science. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on the topic Manchester Comes to India – The Early Entrepreneurs, Where Did the Workers Come From.
Historical Background of Manchester Mills
India was a major exporter of textiles, and its products were highly prized in Europe. However, the Industrial Revolution led to the development of new technologies that made it possible to produce textiles more cheaply and efficiently. This led to a decline in the demand for Indian textiles, and the Indian textile industry began to decline.
The chapter then discusses the rise of Manchester as a center of textile production. Manchester was well-suited for textile production because it had access to coal, which was needed to power the new textile mills. It also had a large pool of labor, as many people had been displaced from their jobs in agriculture by the Enclosure Acts. Many Indian workers were recruited to work in the Manchester mills because they were willing to work for low wages. However, the working conditions in the mills were often very harsh, and many workers died from diseases such as tuberculosis.
Manchester Comes to India
In 1772, Henry Patullo believed that the demand for Indian textiles would never decrease. However, by the beginning of the nineteenth century, textile exports from India began to decline. In 1811-12, piece-goods accounted for 33% of India’s exports, but by 1850, they only accounted for 3%. This decline was due to industrial groups worrying about imports from other countries, pressuring the government to impose import duties on cotton textiles and persuading the East India Company to sell British manufactures in Indian markets.
By the 1870s, cotton piece-goods constituted over 50% of Indian imports. This led to a collapse in the export market and a shrinking local market filled with Manchester imports. By the 1860s, weavers struggled to obtain sufficient raw cotton supplies, and the American Civil War led Britain to turn to India for cotton supplies. This led to an increase in raw cotton prices, forcing weavers to buy raw cotton at exorbitant prices. By the end of the nineteenth century, factories in India began producing machine-goods, further affecting weaving industries.
Factories Come Up
The first cotton mill in Bombay was established in 1854, followed by four mills in Bengal by 1862. Jute mills were also established in Bengal, with the first in 1855 and another in 1862. Elgin Mills in Kanpur and Ahmedabad were established in the 1860s, while Madras’ spinning and weaving mill began production in 1874. The capital and workers were involved in these industries.
The Early Entrepreneurs
Industries in India have a long history dating back to trade with China in the late 18th century. Indian merchants played a crucial role in this trade, providing finance, procuring supplies, and shipping consignments. Some Indians, like Dwarkanath Tagore, established joint-stock companies in the 1830s and 1840s. However, many of these traders later became successful industrialists in the 19th century.
Other commercial groups operated within India, carrying goods, banking money, and financing traders. As colonial control over Indian trade tightened, Indian merchants were limited in their ability to trade with Europe and had to export raw materials and food grains. European Managing Agencies controlled a large sector of Indian industries until the First World War, managing joint-stock companies and making investment decisions.
Where Did the Workers Come From?
The demand for workers in Indian factories increased significantly, reaching over 2,436,000 by 1946. Workers primarily came from nearby districts, such as Ratnagiri and Kanpur, and often traveled between villages and cities. As news of employment spread, workers traveled great distances to find work. However, obtaining jobs was always difficult, and entry into the mills was restricted. Industrialists often employed jobbers, who became authorities and controlled workers’ lives. Despite the increase in factory workers, they were a small proportion of the total industrial workforce.
Conclusion
The conclusion of Chapter 4, “The Age of Industrialization,” in the Class 10 Social Science textbook discusses the impact of Manchester’s industrialization on India. The chapter begins by discussing the early entrepreneurs of India and how they played a vital role in the development of industries. It then goes on to discuss the decline of Indian textile exports and the rise of Manchester as a hub of factory production. The chapter concludes by discussing the impact of Manchester’s industrialization on the workers of India.
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Manchester Comes to India- FAQs
What is the focus of Chapter 4 of Class 10 Social Science?
The chapter explores the impact of industrialization in India, focusing on the influence of Manchester’s textile industry and the origins of the workforce.
How did Manchester’s textile industry influence India?
Manchester’s textile industry introduced mechanized production methods to India, transforming its traditional textile sector.
Where did the workers for India’s textile mills come from?
Workers for India’s textile mills came from rural areas, drawn by employment opportunities and the promise of steady wages.
How did the influx of workers affect urban areas in India?
The influx of workers led to rapid urbanization, with cities growing to accommodate the expanding workforce.
What challenges did workers face in India’s textile mills?
Workers faced long hours, low wages, poor working conditions, and limited job security in India’s textile mills.
How did the arrival of Manchester’s textile industry impact India’s economy?
Manchester’s textile industry led to the decline of India’s traditional handloom sector, causing economic upheaval in weaving communities.
How did the British colonial government respond to the growth of India’s textile industry?
The British colonial government-imposed tariffs and regulations to protect British textile imports, hindering the growth of India’s textile industry.
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