NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 4 : The Age of Industrialisation

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 4 is a comprehensive way for helping students for preparation of CBSE examinations with the answers to the textbook questions. The beginning of modern industrialization in Europe is from the age of industrialization. New factories had come up with industrialization, which produced large-scale goods that led to trade worldwide, and new inventions as well as innovations in the field of technology led to an increase in the rate of the process and colonies came to be expanded in European nations and modernization came to be in process. The chapter traces the history of Britain, which was the first industrial nation, and then of India, where the patterns of industrialization came to be shaped with the help of colonial rule.

NCERT Solutions History Chapter 4

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 4 : The Age of Industrialization

Page No. 102

1. Explain the following:

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

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

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

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

Answer-

(a) Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny because:

1. The process of spinning was sped up, and the amount of labor required was decreased. One worker was all that was required to operate the Spinning Jenny, which allowed several threads to be spun simultaneously and put in motion a number of spindles by turning a single wheel.
2. Hand spinning was the only kind of employment available to British women laborers.
3. Women who were employed in the woolen sector had a rational concern about losing their jobs as a result of the introduction of the new machine.

(b) Because there was a higher demand for commodities as a result of greater global commerce, merchants from cities in Europe started hiring peasants and craftsmen living in the surrounding countryside in the seventeenth century. The expansion of territory via the purchase of colonial holdings was another factor in the rise in demand. The manufacturers in the town were not able to generate the necessary amount.

The guilds that dealt in trade and business had a great deal of authority. They dominated the towns’ economies by dominating the markets, the supply of raw resources, the labor force, and the manufacture of commodities. This presented a challenge for merchants who wanted to boost productivity by increasing the number of workers they employed. The ruling class distributed to the several guilds the exclusive rights to manufacture and trade in certain goods. Because of this, it was difficult for new merchants to establish themselves in urban areas. As a result, they moved out into the countryside and started recruiting farmers and craftsmen living within the communities there.

(c) At the end of the eighteenth century, the port of Surat saw a collapse as a direct result of the steady rise in the influence of European corporations in commerce with India.

They were successful in obtaining a number of concessions from the district courts in addition to exclusive powers to do business. Because of this, the historic ports of Surat and Hooghly, from which local merchants had previously conducted business, began to dwindle. The dramatic decline in exports from these ports also led to the failure of the local banking system.

(d) The East India Company removed the need for middlemen and brokers by replacing them with Gomasthas, who was given the responsibility of supervising weavers in India. This allowed the company to have more direct control over the weavers.

1. Ensuring a steady supply of quality cotton and silk fabrics is a priority.
2. By using advances and other forms of control, you may stop weavers from doing business with other customers. Weavers who had taken out loans or paid fees in advance were subject to obligations to the British government.

2. Write True or False against each statement.

1. At the end of the 19th century, 80 percent of the total workforce in Europe was employed in the technologically advanced industrial sector.
2. The international market for fine textiles was dominated by India till the 18th century.
3. The American Civil War resulted in the reduction of cotton exports from India.
4. The introduction of the fly shuttle enabled handloom workers to improve their productivity.

Answer-

a. False

b. True

c. False

d. True

3. What is meant by Proto-industrialization? Write in brief.

Answer-

The stage of industrialization that occurred before the construction of the first factories in Europe. During this time period, merchants from cities would go to villages to buy goods that were created there. A network of commercial exchanges served as the basis for the proto-industrial system. It was under the authority of businesspeople. Peasants, who worked on their family farms rather than in factories, were responsible for the production of goods. After going through a number of processes, the final product eventually made its way to the marketplaces in London. The items were distributed to markets all over the world from their base in London.

Discuss :

4. Why did some industrialists in nineteenth-century Europe prefer hand labor over machines? 

Answer-

 In Europe during the 19th century, certain British firms preferred to utilize human labor over machinery due to the following reasons:

1. The high expense of testing new technology and equipment, as well as the limited availability of such testing. Because of this, manufacturers and industrialists used them with extreme care.
2.  As a result of the fact that there were more people looking for work than there were positions open, labor was easily accessible at cheap salaries. This was made possible by the large-scale migration of impoverished peasants and migrants to cities in search of work. 
3. The cost of the machines was high, and it was much more costly to have them repaired.
4.  Garments that were manufactured by machines were unable to meet the expectations of customers for a broad range of designs, colors, and kinds of garments. Complex patterns and colors are something that can only be produced by human powers.

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

Answer-

1. After the East India Company had established its political influence in India, it endeavored to secure the rights to trade in cotton textiles, silk items, and other commodities. In addition to this, it initiated the practice of purchasing a consistent supply of these items from Indian weavers.
2. After completing a predetermined path of action, they will be able to accomplish this goal. To begin, they hired individuals to work as paid employees under the name Gomasthas in order to establish their administration and have direct control over the weavers.
3. Gomasthas oversaw weavers, evaluated the quality of the products, and made certain that regular supplies were maintained.
4. Secondly, the Corporation stopped weavers from doing business with their customers by providing ‘advances’ in lieu of purchase orders. Because of this, weavers who took out loans were unable to sell their woven goods to any other merchant and were instead required to work for the Company’s Gomasthas.

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

Answer-

Britain and the History of Cotton :

During the 17th and 18th centuries, merchants engaged in textile commerce with rural populations. A clothier would buy wool from a wool stapler, then carry it to the spinners, and finally furnish the weavers, fullers, as well as dyers with the yarn that was produced from the wool. All of these items were sent to London to be finished. Proto-industrialization describes this era of industry in Britain. During this time period, factories were mostly unnecessary to the success of the sector.

Cotton was the first emblem of the machine age. In the latter half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, output skyrocketed. From 1760 to 1787, raw cotton imports increased from 2.5 million to 22 million pounds. This was made possible by the mechanization and centralized control of cotton mills. Up until 1840, the cotton industry was a frontrunner in the early stages of industrialization.

Because machines meant less manual labor and fewer jobs were needed, most textile manufacturing sector innovations were received with indifference and hostility by the workforce. One such device was the Spinning Jenny. Because it threatened their position in the workforce, women in the woolen industry fought against and tried to eliminate it.

Prior to these developments, India was a major supplier of silk and cotton to Britain. British demand for Indian textiles was large enough to warrant their import. When the East India Company rose to political prominence, it used its newfound influence to ruthlessly exploit India’s weavers and textile sector. Manchester eventually became the center of the cotton industry. 

As a result, India became the top market for British cotton exports. British manufacturers were preoccupied with meeting the demands of the war effort during World War One. As a result, the need for textiles made in India increased once again. Such swings in demand and supply are typical of cotton’s long and eventful history in Britain.

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

Answer-

The following factors contributed to a rise in India’s industrial production during World War II: 

1. British companies ramped up production and supply of military supplies. As a consequence, they ceased shipping goods and garments made in Britain to countries like India.
2.  The unexpected decline in imports created a golden opportunity for Indian manufacturers to boost output and satisfy demand in their own market. 
3. The increasing need for a wider range of products stimulated the construction of new manufacturing facilities and the growth of existing ones. 
4. Manchester was unable to recover its pre-war market share in India. Britain’s economy tanked after World War II because it was unable to modernize and keep up with the likes of the United States, Germany, and Japan. 
5. Because of these factors, both cotton output and exports from Britain fell dramatically. Therefore, India’s manufacturing sector benefited from the First World War.

Project work 

Question. Select any one industry in your region and find out its history. How has technology changed? Where do the workers come from? How are the products advertised and marketed? Try and talk to the employers and some workers to get their views about the industry’s history.

Answer- 

The automotive industry has a rich and fascinating history. It can be traced back to the late 19th century when the first automobiles were invented. The industry experienced significant growth and transformation over the years, shaping transportation and manufacturing processes worldwide.

The automotive industry’s history can be divided into several key periods. The early years saw the emergence of pioneers such as Karl Benz and Henry Ford, who introduced mass-production techniques and made automobiles more accessible to the general public. Ford’s introduction of the assembly line in the early 20th century revolutionized manufacturing processes and reduced production costs.

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements have been at the forefront of the automotive industry’s evolution. From the introduction of the internal combustion engine to the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, the industry has constantly embraced new technologies.

Over time, advancements in engine technology, fuel efficiency, safety features, and automation have greatly influenced the automotive industry. The integration of computer systems, sensors, and artificial intelligence has led to the development of smart cars with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous driving capabilities.

Workforce Origins

The automotive industry employs workers from diverse backgrounds and regions. Automobile manufacturing plants typically have a mix of skilled and unskilled workers. Skilled workers include engineers, designers, technicians, and assembly line workers, while unskilled workers may be involved in tasks such as assembly line operations and quality control.

Workers in the automotive industry come from various sources. Some acquire the necessary skills through technical schools, vocational training programs, or apprenticeships, while others may have engineering or automotive-related degrees from universities.

Advertising and Marketing

The automotive industry employs various strategies to advertise and market its products. Traditional advertising methods such as television commercials, print advertisements, and billboards have been used for many years. Additionally, automakers often participate in auto shows and events to showcase their latest models and technologies.

In recent years, digital marketing has gained prominence, with automakers utilizing social media platforms, online advertisements, and interactive websites to engage with consumers. Influencer marketing and partnerships with celebrities are also commonly used to create brand awareness and promote new models.

Owners and employers in the automotive industry generally appreciate history as a story of continuous innovation, progress, and significant economic impact. They recognize milestones, market competition, and the industry’s evolution as factors that have shaped their roles and opportunities. Workers acknowledge the industry’s history as a driving force behind job growth, industrial development, and the continuous need for skill enhancement.

Important Topics Discussed in This Chapter

1. Before the Industrial Revolution
2. Pace of Industrial Change
3. Hand Labour and Steam Power
4. Industrialization in the Colonies
5. Factories Come Up
6. The Peculiarities of Industrial Growth
7. Market for Goods

FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 4

Q 1. List the important topics for students to learn from Chapter 4 of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History.

Answer-

The important topics of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 4 include:

1. Before the Industrial Revolution
2. Pace of Industrial Change
3. Hand Labour and Steam Power
4. Industrialization in the Colonies
5. Factories Come Up
6. The Peculiarities of Industrial Growth
7. Market for Goods

Q 2. What does Chapter 4 of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History about briefly?

Answer-

Chapter 4 of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 History is about industrialization and how it had come to mark the beginning of modernization. Students will get a brief idea about the coming up of factories on a large scale, about the worldwide significance and Solutions about the history of Britain which is the first industrial nation, and the pattern of changes.