what were the problems of Indian Weavers of early 19th century
Answers
1. Due to industrialization in Britain, their export market collapsed.
2. As British traders started exporting machine-made clothes to India so their local market shrank.
3. As raw cotton was being exported to England, there was a shortage of raw materials.
4. When the American Civil War broke out, and the cotton supplies from United States were cut off, Britain turned to India. As raw cotton exports from India increased, the prices of raw cotton shot up. Weavers in India were starved of supplies and forced to buy raw cotton at higher prices.
(i) Collapse of local and foreign market : Due to industrialisation in Britain, their export market collapsed.As British traders started exporting machine- made clothes to India, so their local market shrank.(ii) Shortage of raw material : As raw cotton was being exported to England, there was a shortage of raw materials. When the American Civil War broke out. and the cotton supplies from the United States were cut off. Britain turned to India. As raw cotton exports Iron India increased, the price of raw cotton shot up Weavers in India were starved of supplies and forced to buy raw cotton at higher prices.(iii) Clashes with Gomasthas : Gomasthas were appointed by the government to supervise weavers to collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth. The Gomasthas acted arrogantly and punished weavers for delays in supply. So. the weavers dashed with them.(iv) System of advances: The Britishers started the system of advances to regularise the supply of cotton and cloth. The weavers eagerly took the advances, in a hope to cam more but they faded to do so They even started losing small plots of land which they had earlier cultivated.