The Age of Industrialisation

Proto-industrialisation refers to the phase before factories where merchants supplied money to peasants and artisans for production. This system was controlled by merchants, not factories, and was part of a network of commercial exchanges.

The earliest factories in England emerged by the 1730s, but it was only in the late 18th century that their numbers increased significantly, marking the beginning of the industrial era.

Richard Arkwright created the cotton mill, centralizing production processes under one roof. This innovation allowed for better supervision, quality control, and labor regulation.

Due to abundant labor, British industrialists preferred hand labor over machines to avoid high wage costs and capital investment, especially in seasonal industries.

The introduction of the Spinning Jenny led to clashes as it reduced labor demand, causing workers, especially women, to attack the machines fearing unemployment.

European companies gained control over trade, leading to the decline of old ports like Surat and Hoogly, and a dramatic fall in Indian textile exports by the 1750s.

The Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers, eliminated existing traders, and used the advance system to control production, leading to weavers' exploitation.

By the 19th century, cheap Manchester imports glutted Indian markets, collapsing the local and export demand for Indian textiles, leading to weavers' distress.

The first cotton mill in Bombay was established in 1854, marking the beginning of factory-based industrial production in India under colonial rule.

These agencies dominated Indian industries, setting up tea, coffee plantations, and jute mills, primarily for export, controlling capital and business decisions.

The Swadeshi movement encouraged boycott of foreign goods, leading to increased demand for Indian products and a shift from yarn to cloth production.

With British mills busy in war production, Indian mills saw a boom as they supplied war needs, leading to increased production and employment.

Despite factory growth, small-scale production predominated, with most workers employed in workshops and household units, not registered factories.

Adoption of the fly shuttle in the 20th century increased handloom productivity, helping weavers compete with mill sectors in certain regions.

From labels to calendars, advertisements played a key role in expanding markets, using images of gods and royals to appeal to Indian consumers.

Indian manufacturers used advertisements to promote Swadeshi, urging consumers to buy Indian products as a sign of national pride.

Workers came from surrounding villages, moving between village and city for work, with jobbers playing a key role in recruitment and control.

By the late 19th century, merchants formed Chambers of Commerce to regulate business and address collective concerns in industrial regions.

Despite industrial growth, technological changes were slow in traditional sectors, with small innovations driving growth in non-mechanised industries.

While some craftspeople expanded production, they faced hard lives, working long hours, yet remained integral to the industrialisation process.