Class 8 Social Science Notes Chapter 1 (Weavers; Iron Smelters and Factory Owners) – Our Pasts - III (Part-2) Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 1: 'Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners' from your 'Our Pasts - III (Part-2)' book. This chapter is crucial as it explains the state of key Indian industries during British rule and the beginnings of modern industrialization in India. Pay close attention, as these points frequently appear in various government examinations.

Detailed Notes: Chapter 1 - Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

Context:

• Before British conquest, India was a major global producer of textiles and iron/steel.
• The Industrial Revolution in England dramatically altered the equation, impacting Indian artisans and paving the way for new factory-based production in India.

I. Indian Textiles and the World Market:

• Global Dominance (Pre-18th Century): Indian textiles, especially cotton, were renowned worldwide for their fine quality and intricate craftsmanship. Major export markets included Southeast Asia (Java, Sumatra, Penang), West and Central Asia, and Europe.
• European Trade: European trading companies (English, Dutch, French) first encountered fine Indian cotton textiles in Mosul (present-day Iraq), brought by Arab merchants. They began trading directly from India.
• Key Textile Terms & Origins (Important for Exams):
  • Muslin: Very fine cotton cloth, often associated with Dacca (Dhaka) in Bengal. Highly valued by European royalty and aristocracy.
  • Calico: General name for Indian cotton textiles derived from Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Kerala coast, where Portuguese first landed.
  • Chintz: Cotton cloth with small, colourful floral designs. Derived from the Hindi word 'Chhint'. Produced mainly in Masulipatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Highly fashionable in England and Europe.
  • Bandanna: Brightly coloured and printed scarf for the neck or head. Derived from the Hindi word 'Bandhna' (tying), referring to the tie-and-dye method used. Produced mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
  • Jamdani: Fine muslin with woven decorative motifs, often floral, using grey and white threads. Centered in Dacca (Bengal).
  • Patola: Woven silk cloth, known for intricate geometric patterns. Produced in Surat, Ahmedabad, and Patan (Gujarat). Highly valued in Indonesia.
• Production Process: Involved specialized skills passed down through generations. Spinning was often done by women (using charkha and takli), while weaving was primarily done by men. Dyeing was another specialized craft.

II. The Decline of Indian Weavers:

• Impact of British Industrialization:
  • The invention of the Spinning Jenny (1764) and the Steam Engine (1786) revolutionized textile production in England, making machine-made cloth cheaper.
  • British textile industry grew rapidly, seeking raw materials (cotton from India/America) and markets for finished goods.
• British Policies and their Impact:
  • Competition: Cheap, mass-produced British textiles flooded the Indian market by the early 19th century, undercutting Indian handloom products.
  • Import Duties: Heavy duties were imposed on Indian textiles entering Britain, making them expensive and uncompetitive. Conversely, British goods entered India with minimal duty.
  • Loss of Patronage: The decline of Indian rulers (Nawabs, Rajas) who were major patrons of fine textiles led to a loss of demand for high-quality, expensive handloom products.
  • Coercive Practices: The East India Company employed Gomasthas (paid servants) to supervise weavers, collect supplies, and examine cloth quality. They often forced weavers to sell at low prices and prevented them from selling to other buyers, leading to clashes and weavers abandoning villages.
• Consequences:
  • Massive unemployment among Indian weavers and spinners (especially women spinners).
  • Decline of traditional textile centers like Dacca, Surat, and Masulipatnam.
  • Weavers became agricultural labourers or migrated to new cities seeking work.
  • Some survival during the late 19th century occurred due to producing coarser cloth for the poor or specialized weaves that machines couldn't replicate easily.
• Weaving Communities: Tanti (Bengal), Julahas or Momin (North India), Kaikkolar & Devangs (South India), Sale & Padmasale (South India).

III. Indian Iron Smelting:

• Traditional Excellence: India had a long tradition of high-quality iron and steel production.
  • Wootz Steel: A special type of high-carbon steel produced in South India. Fascinated European scientists (Michael Faraday studied its properties). Swords made from Wootz steel (like Tipu Sultan's legendary sword) were known for their incredible hardness and sharp edge that could rip through opponent's armour. The pattern came from small carbon crystals embedded in the iron.
• The Smelting Process:
  • Done in small, often clay and sun-dried brick furnaces.
  • Required specialized knowledge of ore selection and temperature control.
  • Used charcoal as fuel, produced by burning wood. Bellows (devices for pumping air) were used, often operated by men and women.
• Decline of the Craft:
  • Forest Laws: The colonial government enacted new forest laws, preventing villagers and smelters from entering reserved forests to collect wood for charcoal or iron ore. This severely hampered production. Smelters often had to pay high taxes to access forests.
  • Competition: Imports of cheaper iron and steel from Britain increased significantly by the late 19th century. Indian ironsmiths began using imported iron for utensils and implements.
  • Loss of Demand: Reduced demand from local armourers and toolmakers as British goods took over.
• Consequences:
  • Many iron smelting communities (like the Agarias) abandoned their craft and sought other means of livelihood.
  • Furnaces fell into disuse. By the early 20th century, iron smelting was almost extinct.

IV. The Rise of Modern Factories in India:

• Early Industrialization: Began in the mid-19th century, driven primarily by Indian entrepreneurs, but also facing competition from British goods and policies.
• Cotton Mills:
  • First Mill: Set up in Bombay (Mumbai) in 1854.
  • Bombay as a Hub: Became a major centre due to:
    • Proximity to the port for importing machinery and exporting yarn/cloth.
    • Availability of raw cotton from nearby regions (Gujarat, Maharashtra).
    • Capital available from Parsi and Gujarati merchants involved in trade (including the opium trade with China).
    • Availability of labour.
  • Other Centres: Ahmedabad (first mill in 1861), Kanpur, Madras.
  • Challenges: Faced shortages of labour initially, competition from cheap British textiles.
• Iron and Steel Industry:
  • TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company): A landmark achievement.
    • Founded by Jamsetji Tata, but established by his son Dorabji Tata.
    • Set up in Sakchi (later renamed Jamshedpur) in Singhbhum district, Bihar (now Jharkhand).
    • Location Choice: Strategic - near iron ore deposits (Rajhara Hills), coal fields (Jharia), limestone, water supply (Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers), and close to the Calcutta market and port.
    • Timeline: Began setting up in 1907; started producing pig iron in 1911 and steel in 1912.
• Impact of World War I (1914-1918):
  • Boost to Indian Industries: British mills became busy producing for war needs, reducing imports into India.
  • Indian factories were called upon to supply war materials: jute bags, cloth for uniforms, tents, leather boots, rails for railways, shells, etc.
  • TISCO expanded rapidly to meet the demand for steel from the colonial government.
  • The war demonstrated the potential of Indian industries and led to their consolidation.

Conclusion:
The period covered shows a complex picture: the decline of world-renowned traditional Indian crafts (textiles, iron smelting) due to British industrial competition and colonial policies, alongside the slow and challenging emergence of modern factory-based industries in India, which received an unexpected boost during World War I.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. The term 'Calico', used by Europeans for Indian cotton textiles, originated from which place?
   a) Dacca
   b) Masulipatnam
   c) Calicut
   d) Surat

2. Which of the following Indian textiles was known for its fine muslin quality often produced in Dacca?
   a) Chintz
   b) Bandanna
   c) Patola
   d) Jamdani

3. What was a major reason for the decline of Indian weavers in the 19th century?
   a) Lack of raw cotton in India
   b) Competition from cheap machine-made textiles from Britain
   c) Ban on exporting textiles from India
   d) Preference for silk over cotton among Indians

4. Wootz steel, famous for making high-quality swords like Tipu Sultan's, was primarily produced in which region of India?
   a) North India
   b) Bengal
   c) South India
   d) Gujarat

5. The colonial government's Forest Laws severely impacted Indian iron smelters primarily because:
   a) They banned the use of iron ore.
   b) They restricted access to wood needed for making charcoal.
   c) They forced smelters to work only for the government.
   d) They imposed heavy taxes on finished steel products.

6. The first successful cotton textile mill in India was established in which city in 1854?
   a) Ahmedabad
   b) Calcutta
   c) Madras
   d) Bombay

7. Who is credited with the vision and initiative behind the establishment of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO)?
   a) Dorabji Tata
   b) Ratan Tata
   c) Jamsetji Tata
   d) J.R.D. Tata

8. TISCO began producing steel in which year?
   a) 1907
   b) 1911
   c) 1912
   d) 1914

9. The location of Sakchi (Jamshedpur) was chosen for TISCO due to its proximity to:
   a) Cotton growing areas and a major port
   b) Iron ore deposits, coal fields, and water sources
   c) Major administrative centres and skilled labour
   d) Gold mines and diamond fields

10. How did World War I impact Indian industries like TISCO?
    a) It led to their closure due to lack of British support.
    b) It caused a decline in demand for industrial goods.
    c) It significantly boosted demand and production as British imports decreased.
    d) It forced them to shift production from steel to textiles.

Answer Key:

1. c) Calicut
2. d) Jamdani (Note: Muslin is the general term, Jamdani is a specific type of decorated muslin from Dacca)
3. b) Competition from cheap machine-made textiles from Britain
4. c) South India
5. b) They restricted access to wood needed for making charcoal.
6. d) Bombay
7. c) Jamsetji Tata
8. c) 1912
9. b) Iron ore deposits, coal fields, and water sources
10. c) It significantly boosted demand and production as British imports decreased.

Study these notes thoroughly. Understanding the connections between British policies, industrial changes in Britain, and the fate of Indian industries is key. Good luck with your preparation!