Short essay on indian weavers
Answers
The Indian weavers have been at the receiving end for years
together. Though the weavers were never
known to be very rich, their situation worsened over time. As Sarojini Naidu
points out in her poem ‘Indian Weavers’, the workers worked hard from the crack
of dawn till late night, to make a livelihood. Also, it is extremely ironical
that they were unable to enjoy the richness of the fabrics that they wove. Their
work adorned the rich and the powerful. They themselves could not afford it.
CAUSES:
Two main events brought about a change in the fortune of the
weavers- the British rule and the Industrial Revolution in England. When the British
established their rule in India, they exploited India’s resources to the fullest.
Initially, woven fabrics were exported to England. Gradually, they started
exporting high quality cotton to England. With a steady supply of cotton
available, factories were set up in England itself. The Industrial Revolution
helped the British fulfill this goal as well. During the revolution, new
inventions and machines came into being.
EFFECTS:
When fabric was sent to England, the weavers were at the
mercy of the British and had to accept whatever little money they were offered
in exchange for their hard work. Later, the
Industrial Revolution automated many processes, including weaving. Since these
machines were much faster and efficient than human workers, the Indian markets
were flooded with fabrics from England. The British then passed laws that
restricted the Indian weavers from being able to sell their products in the
Indian markets. Again, the weavers suffered.