Answer

Introduction

The Industrial Revolution in England, beginning in the late 18th century, introduced mechanized production and factory systems. This reshaped global trade and manufacturing patterns, impacting traditional industries worldwide. Looking at how this revolution impacted India’s handicrafts and cottage industries shows the mix of economic changes and colonial policies involved.

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Role of the Industrial Revolution in England in causing the decline of Indian handicrafts and cottage industries

• Influx of Machine-Made Goods: British factories produced textiles at lower cost and flooded Indian markets through colonial trade privileges.
  Eg: Lancashire cotton replaced fine Indian muslins and chintz by the mid-19th century.
• Destruction of Indian Export Markets: Britain’s mechanized production made Indian handmade textiles uncompetitive in international markets.
  Eg: Indian textile exports to Europe declined drastically by the early 19th century.
• Deindustrialization through Colonial Policy: British policies favoured raw material export (like cotton)  and import of British finished goods. This weakened India’s self-sufficient artisan economy.
  Eg: Imposition of high duties on Indian goods in Britain, but duty-free entry of British goods into India.
• Loss of Royal and Aristocratic Patronage: British political dominance dismantled princely states and zamindari networks, which traditionally supported artisans and weavers.
  Eg: Decline of Mughal court patronage after 1857 led to the collapse of workshops producing carpets, miniature paintings, etc.
• Introduction of Railways and Transport: Improved transport networks facilitated the swift transport of British goods across India, accelerating the collapse of local production.

Other Contributory Factors in causing the decline of Indian handicrafts and cottage industries

• Exploitative Colonial Revenue Policies: The Permanent Settlement and high land revenue demands pushed artisans, who combined farming with craft, into further debt.
  Eg: Many weavers in rural India abandoned their looms to take up subsistence farming.
• Lack of Technological Adaptation: Indian handicrafts remained traditional and unmechanized, making them uncompetitive with the scale and efficiency of British factories.
• Famines and Rural Distress: Frequent famines and agrarian crises under colonial rule led to a fall in disposable income among rural populations, who were major consumers of local handicrafts.
  Eg: The 1876–78 famine led to economic collapse in parts of South India.
• Absence of State Support: Unlike England, where industrialists received state protection and incentives, Indian artisans lacked patronage post-Mughal decline.
• Disruption of Traditional Trade Routes: Political instability, wars, and the shift of trade routes under British control led to the breakdown of internal and external trade networks crucial for artisan livelihoods.
• Rise of New Urban Middle Class Tastes: With Western education and influence, many educated Indians started liking and using foreign-made goods. This reduced the demand for traditional Indian handicrafts.
  Eg: British-style furniture and clothes became symbols of status among Indians, replacing handmade khadi or carved furniture.

Conclusion

The Industrial Revolution was an external shock. But India’s colonial system lacked protective and adaptive mechanisms, which made the impact worse. Thus, both global and domestic factors were responsible for the decline.

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