Weavers, Crafts and Industries

_________ was the first to acknowledge that the proverty of India was due to the exploitative nature of British rule.

• Jawaharlal Nehru

• Mahatma Gandhi

• Dadabhai Naoroji

• Raja Rammohan Roy

Answer explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji was the first man to say that internal factors were not the reasons for poverty in India but poverty was caused by the colonial rule that was draining the wealth and prosperity of India.

Indian markets were opened to all British trading companies in ________

• 1833

• 1813

• 1733

• 1901

Answer explanation

Indian markets were opened to all British trading companies in 1813, with the Charter Act of 1813. This act ended the monopoly of the British East India Company in trade with India, allowing other British merchants to participate in Indian trade, except for trade with China and the tea trade, which remained under the company's control.

The _______ inductry was worst hit by the colonial economic policies.

• iron

• textile

• plantation

• coal

Answer explanation

Under British rule, India’s flourishing handloom and textile industries suffered due to the influx of cheap, machine-made British goods. Policies such as high export duties on Indian textiles and free entry for British textiles into India led to the decline of traditional weaving and handicrafts, causing economic hardship for Indian artisans.

In case of default the weavers had to pay a _________ per cent penalty.

• 40

• 33

• 35

• 26

The first cotton mill was set up in __________.

• Calcutta

• Dhaka

• Madras

• Bombay

Answer explanation

The first cotton mill in India was set up in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1854. It was called the "Mumbai Cotton Mill" or the "Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company" and marked the beginning of India's modern textile industry.

The East India Company invested money earned from taxes in India to encourage the Indian crafts.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The East India Company did not invest money earned from taxes in India to encourage Indian crafts. Instead, the company’s policies were largely exploitative. It focused on extracting wealth from India, often at the expense of local industries, including traditional crafts. The British government and the East India Company promoted the production of raw materials, like cotton and indigo, for export to Britain while undermining India’s traditional craft industries by importing cheap British-manufactured goods. This led to the decline of many Indian handicraft industries.

The drain theory revealedd the true nature and economic exploitation of India at the hands of the British.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The Drain Theory, articulated by Dadabhai Naoroji, highlighted the economic exploitation of India under British colonial rule. According to this theory, the British were "draining" India's wealth by extracting resources without providing adequate compensation or reinvestment in the Indian economy. The profits from Indian resources, including taxes, were sent to Britain, leaving India impoverished. Naoroji's analysis revealed how British colonial policies were designed to benefit Britain at the expense of India's economic development.

To reap additional benefits, the East India Company forced the Indian craftsmen not only to sell their products at a lower price but also to buy raw materials from them.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The East India Company exploited Indian craftsmen by enforcing policies that forced them to sell their products at very low prices while also compelling them to purchase raw materials from the company. This created an unfair system where Indian artisans were financially disadvantaged, as they had little control over pricing and the quality of materials. The result was the deterioration of India's traditional craft industries, as British policies prioritized profit extraction over the well-being of Indian craftsmen.

The Industrial Revolution in Britain also helped the Indian industries to develop and flourish.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The Industrial Revolution in Britain did not help Indian industries develop and flourish. Instead, it led to the decline of Indian industries, especially the textile and handicraft sectors. British industries mass-produced cheap, machine-made goods, which were then exported to India, while heavy taxes and restrictions were placed on Indian-made products. This forced Indian artisans and weavers out of business, turning India into a supplier of raw materials for British industries rather than a manufacturing hub.

Plantation industry grew mostly under the British monopoly.

• True
• False

Answer explanation

The plantation industry grew significantly under British monopoly during colonial rule. The British established large-scale plantations for crops like tea, coffee, indigo, cotton, and rubber, primarily for export. These plantations were often controlled by British companies, and local farmers were forced into unfavorable contracts or exploited for labor.