Class 12 Heritage Crafts Notes Chapter 2 (Colonial Rule and Crafts) – Craft Tradition of India Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of a crucial period for Indian crafts – the era of Colonial Rule, as detailed in Chapter 2 of your 'Craft Tradition of India' book. This is a significant topic, not just for understanding heritage crafts but also for its relevance in broader historical and economic contexts, often tested in government exams.

Chapter 2: Colonial Rule and Crafts - Detailed Notes

1. Pre-Colonial Context: The Golden Age?

• Flourishing Trade: Before colonial intervention, India was a global hub for high-quality crafts, especially textiles (cotton, silk, muslin), metalwork, jewellery, pottery, and woodwork.
• Global Demand: Indian crafts were highly sought after in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Textiles like Dhaka Muslin, Calico, Chintz were legendary for their quality and intricate designs.
• System of Patronage: Crafts flourished under the patronage of Mughal emperors, regional kings, nobles, temples, and wealthy merchants. This ensured quality, innovation, and sustained livelihood for artisans.
• Integrated Economy: Crafts were deeply integrated into the agrarian economy. Many artisans were also part-time farmers, and villages often specialized in specific crafts.

2. The Arrival of European Traders & The East India Company (EIC)

• Initial Phase (Traders): European companies, including the British EIC, initially came as traders, primarily interested in sourcing Indian crafts (especially textiles) for the European market. This initially boosted demand for certain goods.
• Shift to Political Power: Following battles like Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764), the EIC transitioned from a trading body to a political power, gaining control over vast territories and revenue collection (Diwani rights). This fundamentally changed their relationship with Indian crafts and artisans.

3. Key Impacts of Colonial Rule on Indian Crafts:

• (a) Deindustrialization: This is the most critical concept. It refers to the systematic decline of traditional Indian industries (primarily crafts) under British rule.
  • Causes: Driven by British economic policies aimed at benefiting their own industries.
• (b) Discriminatory Trade Policies:
  • One-Way Free Trade: Britain imposed policies allowing tariff-free entry of British machine-made goods (especially textiles from Manchester and Lancashire) into India.
  • High Tariffs on Indian Goods: Simultaneously, heavy import duties were levied on Indian goods entering Britain, making them uncompetitive.
  • Destruction of Export Market: This destroyed the lucrative European market for Indian crafts.
  • Flooding of Domestic Market: Cheap, mass-produced British goods flooded the Indian market, undercutting local artisans.
• (c) Impact of the Industrial Revolution:
  • The Industrial Revolution in Britain led to mass production of goods (especially textiles) at lower costs.
  • Indian handmade goods couldn't compete in price with machine-made products.
• (d) Loss of Traditional Patronage:
  • Annexation of Princely States: The British annexed numerous Indian states, removing the traditional rulers (kings, nawabs) who were major patrons of high-quality, luxury crafts.
  • Decline of Nobility: The old aristocracy lost power and wealth, reducing their capacity to patronize artisans.
  • Shift in Taste: A new 'anglicized' elite emerged, often preferring imported British goods over traditional Indian crafts.
• (e) Exploitation of Artisans:
  • Forced Contracts & Low Wages: The EIC and later the British government often forced artisans (especially weavers) into contracts, compelling them to sell their products at artificially low prices, often below production cost. The 'Dadni' system (advance payments that trapped weavers in debt) was exploitative.
  • Loss of Bargaining Power: Artisans lost their independence and became dependent wage earners under oppressive conditions.
• (f) Raw Material Diversion & Shortage:
  • Focus on Cash Crops: Colonial policies encouraged the cultivation of cash crops like raw cotton, indigo, and opium for export to Britain, often at the expense of food crops or materials needed by local artisans.
  • Export of Raw Materials: India was transformed into a supplier of raw materials for British industries, leading to shortages and increased prices of raw materials (like cotton) for Indian artisans.
• (g) Imposition of Foreign Designs & Aesthetics:
  • Attempts were made to 'improve' Indian designs according to Victorian tastes, sometimes leading to a loss of traditional motifs and aesthetics.
  • Introduction of synthetic dyes affected traditional natural dyeing techniques.
• (h) Decline of Specific Crafts:
  • Textiles: The cotton textile industry (especially handloom weaving) was devastated. Dhaka Muslin virtually disappeared. Silk weaving also suffered significantly.
  • Metalwork, Shipbuilding, Glass, Paper: Many other traditional industries faced decline due to competition and lack of demand or policy support.

4. Consequences:

• Impoverishment of Artisans: Millions lost their livelihoods, leading to widespread poverty and forcing many into agriculture as landless labourers, increasing pressure on land.
• Ruralization of the Economy: Decline of industries led to an increased dependence on agriculture.
• Loss of Skills: Traditional skills passed down through generations were lost as crafts became economically unviable.
• Famines: The destruction of supplementary incomes from crafts made rural populations more vulnerable to famines when agriculture failed.

5. Resistance and Survival:

• Artisan Protests: There were instances of weavers and other artisans protesting against exploitative EIC policies.
• Adaptation: Some artisans adapted by producing cheaper goods for the local market or shifting to different crafts.
• Swadeshi Movement (Early 20th Century): This nationalist movement actively promoted the use of Indian-made goods (Swadeshi) and the boycott of foreign goods, providing some impetus for the revival of crafts like Khadi.

Conclusion:

Colonial rule fundamentally altered the landscape of Indian crafts. From being a world leader, India was reduced to a supplier of raw materials and a market for British manufactured goods. The period witnessed a painful process of deindustrialization, leading to the decline of traditional industries, impoverishment of artisans, and loss of invaluable skills and heritage. Understanding this history is crucial to appreciating the challenges and resilience of Indian crafts today.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Exam Preparation:

1. What does the term 'Deindustrialization' refer to in the context of colonial India?
   (a) The rapid growth of new industries under British rule.
   (b) The decline and destruction of traditional Indian industries, especially crafts.
   (c) The shift of industries from urban to rural areas.
   (d) The export of industrial machinery from India to Britain.

2. Which factor was a primary cause for the decline of Indian textile exports to Britain during the colonial era?
   (a) Lack of demand for Indian textiles in Britain.
   (b) Imposition of heavy import duties on Indian textiles by Britain.
   (c) Poor quality of Indian textiles compared to British ones.
   (d) A ban on textile production within India by the British.

3. The loss of patronage from which group significantly impacted high-quality, luxury crafts in colonial India?
   (a) British officials
   (b) Peasant farmers
   (c) Indian Princely rulers and nobility
   (d) Foreign tourists

4. How did the British policy of promoting cash crop cultivation affect Indian artisans?
   (a) It provided artisans with more raw materials.
   (b) It led to shortages and higher prices of raw materials like cotton needed for crafts.
   (c) It encouraged artisans to shift to farming cash crops.
   (d) It had no significant impact on artisans.

5. The import of machine-made goods from Manchester and Lancashire primarily affected which Indian craft sector?
   (a) Pottery
   (b) Metalwork
   (c) Cotton Textiles
   (d) Wood carving

6. What was the 'Dadni' system often associated with in the context of weavers under the East India Company?
   (a) A system of rewarding high-quality weaving.
   (b) A system of advance payments that often trapped weavers in debt.
   (c) A cooperative system for weavers to sell their goods.
   (d) A training program introduced by the British.

7. The Swadeshi Movement aimed to counter the negative impact of colonial policies on crafts by:
   (a) Encouraging the export of Indian crafts.
   (b) Promoting the use of Indian-made goods and boycotting foreign products.
   (c) Asking the British government for subsidies for artisans.
   (d) Focusing solely on agricultural development.

8. Before colonial rule, Indian crafts flourished primarily due to:
   (a) British investments and technology.
   (b) Lack of any external trade.
   (c) Strong global demand and systems of local patronage.
   (d) Competition from Chinese goods.

9. Which famous Indian textile, known for its fineness, suffered a near-complete decline under colonial rule?
   (a) Calico
   (b) Chintz
   (c) Khadi
   (d) Dhaka Muslin

10. A major consequence of the decline of crafts in colonial India was:
    (a) Increased urbanization as artisans moved to cities for factory work.
    (b) Greater economic self-sufficiency for villages.
    (c) Impoverishment of artisans and increased pressure on agricultural land.
    (d) Significant improvement in the quality of machine-made goods in India.

Answer Key:

1. (b)
2. (b)
3. (c)
4. (b)
5. (c)
6. (b)
7. (b)
8. (c)
9. (d)
10. (c)

Study these notes carefully. Understand the cause-and-effect relationships between colonial policies and the state of Indian crafts. Good luck with your preparation!