'Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners' focuses on two important industries of India - cotton textiles and iron and steel - and how they were transformed by the coming of the British. The chapter describes the glory of Indian textiles, the skill of the weavers, and the impact of British trade policies on them. It also describes the history of iron and steel production in India and the rise of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO).
Indian textiles were world-famous for their quality. The fine muslins of Dacca, the chintzes of various regions, and the printed cloths of different parts of India were in great demand in Europe and other parts of the world. The word 'chintz', derived from the Hindi word 'chhint', came to be used in English. Indian calico and muslin were so popular that British manufacturers and the British state tried to restrict their import.
The chapter also explains how the British policies of forcing the Indian market to accept British goods ruined Indian weavers, and how Indian iron smelting declined because of British forest policies. At the same time, it tells the inspiring story of the establishment of the first modern iron and steel factory in India by Jamsetji Tata at Sakchi, which later grew into the city of Jamshedpur.
The Indian subcontinent was famous for its cotton textiles from ancient times. The textiles were of various types, including cotton, silk and woollen. The cotton textiles of India were so fine and durable that they were in high demand all over the world, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia.
Some of the most famous textile products were the muslins of Dacca (fine cotton cloth), the calico (named after Calicut), and the chintz (printed cotton cloth, from the Hindi word 'chhint'). Indian textiles were traded to many parts of the world through both land and sea routes. European trading companies, including the East India Company, were eager to buy Indian textiles and sell them profitably in Europe.
The European trading companies began to sell Indian textiles in Europe, and they earned huge profits. The popularity of Indian textiles in Britain worried the British manufacturers, who could not compete with the quality and low cost of Indian cloth. They began to pressurise the British government to restrict the import of Indian textiles.
The British Parliament passed laws that put heavy duties on the import of Indian cotton textiles. The East India Company also tried to gain control over the weavers. It forced the weavers to work for the company through a system of advances and gomasthas (company officials). The weavers had to sell their cloth to the company at fixed prices, and they were forbidden from dealing with other buyers.
The British policies led to a rapid decline of the Indian textile industry. The system of gomasthas was harsh. If a weaver delayed in delivering cloth or failed to meet the company's demands, he was severely punished. Many weavers left their traditional occupation or migrated to other areas.
The import of cheap, machine-made textiles from Britain flooded the Indian market. Indian weavers could not compete with the machine-made cloth. The British also imposed heavy duties on Indian textiles in Britain, closing the European market to Indian weavers. Within a few decades, the Indian textile industry, once the pride of the world, was ruined. Thousands of weavers were thrown out of work.
India had a long tradition of iron and steel production. The iron smelters of India made high-quality iron and steel, which was used to make swords, tools, agricultural implements and other items. The famous iron pillar at Delhi, which has not rusted over many centuries, is a testimony to the skill of Indian iron workers.
The British, however, brought an end to this traditional industry. The British wanted Indian iron ore for their own use, and they began to exploit the forests for timber, which was needed as fuel for iron smelting. The forest laws restricted the access of the iron smelters to forests, and the taxes on iron made it unprofitable. Within a few decades, the traditional iron smelting industry of India declined.
The story of iron and steel in India took a new turn with the establishment of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO). Jamsetji Tata decided to build an iron and steel plant in India, and after exploring several sites, the plant was set up at Sakchi in the Singhbhum district of Bihar (present-day Jharkhand) in 1907.
The location was chosen because of its proximity to iron ore, coal, manganese and water supply. The town that grew around the factory was named Jamshedpur in honour of Jamsetji Tata. The first ingot of steel was produced in 1912. During the First World War, TISCO's steel played a crucial role in supplying the British war effort. The establishment of TISCO showed that Indians were capable of building modern industries.
TISCO grew rapidly and played a major role in India's industrial development. By the early 1920s, TISCO's steel was being used in the construction of bridges, railways, and buildings across India. The company also developed its own townships, schools, and hospitals for its workers, setting an example for industrial welfare.
TISCO faced many difficulties, including shortage of capital and competition from British steel, but it survived and prospered. Its success inspired other Indian entrepreneurs to invest in industries. The story of TISCO shows the enterprise and vision of Indian industrialists like Jamsetji Tata, who dreamed of a modern and industrialised India.
| Textile Product | Region/Source | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Muslin | Dacca | Fine cotton cloth |
| Calico | Named after Calicut | Cotton cloth |
| Chintz | Various regions | Printed cotton cloth (from 'chhint') |
| Iron/Steel Topic | Year | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Iron pillar at Delhi | Ancient | Famous for not rusting |
| TISCO established | 1907 | At Sakchi, later Jamshedpur |
| First steel produced | 1912 | TISCO's first ingot |
'Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners' presents the contrasting stories of two industries. The once-glorious Indian textile industry was destroyed by British trade policies, heavy duties, and the cruel gomastha system, throwing millions of weavers out of work. The traditional iron smelting industry also declined under colonial forest laws. Yet the chapter also shows hope and enterprise in the establishment of TISCO by Jamsetji Tata in 1907, which laid the foundation of modern Indian industry. Together, these stories teach us about the exploitative nature of colonial economic policies and the spirit of Indian industrial enterprise.