Question

why was indigo in great demand in european countries ?

Answer 1

Indigo was in great demand in Europe due a combination of reasons. They were:

1. The dye used by manufacturers in Europe was made from a different plant and had a very dull colour. Indigo on the other hand had a rich blue colour.
2. Industrialisation led to an increase in production of cloth and therefore an increase in demand for dyes.
3. The indigo plant grew primarily in the tropics.

Therefore, increase in the demand due to rapid industrialisation and lack of any alternatives led to the great demand of indigo in European countries.

Answer 2

The reasons of indigo's great demand in Europe were as follows.

1) The indigo plant primarily grows in tropics and Europe's climate was not favorable for growing indigo.

2) At that time indigo was less expensive for the Europeans and it was used for various purposes.

3) By the thirteenth century, Indian indigo was being used by the cloth manufacturers in Italy, France and Britain to dye cloth. Only small amounts of indigo reached in the European market and its prices were very high. European cloth manufacturers therefore had to depend on another plant called woad to make violet and blue dyes. Cloth dyers, however, preferred indigo as a dye because indigo produced rich blue color, whereas the dye from woad was pale and dull. So, it was very profitable for them.

4) At that time, the textile industry in Europe began to flourish. So, there was a great demand for Indian indigo in the European countries.