Question

Why did the industrial production in India increase during the First World War?

Answer 1

Hint:
During World War I, Britain’s textile mills were busy to meet the needs of the English army.
Imports from Manchester declined, and Indian mills suddenly had a huge home market to supply.


Complete answer:
Industrial production in India increased during the First World War because British mills became busy to support the war needs and the imports from Manchester declined, while Indian mills suddenly had a huge home market to supply. Industrial growth in India was slow but India witnessed increased industrial production during the First World War due to the following reasons:

During World War I, Britain’s textile mills were busy to meet the needs of the English army. Due to which the import of cloth from Manchester into India declined sharply. Therefore, the Indian mills got the opportunity to manufacture and supply cloth for the vast home market.

It was a great opportunity for Indian industries to fill in empty Indian markets with their products. It was done so. Therefore, industrial production in India increased.

As the war prolonged, Indian factories were called upon by the British colonial government to supply the war needs like - jute bags, cloth or army uniforms, tents and leather boots, horse, and mule saddle, etc.

The increased demands of a variety of products led to the setting up of new factories and old ones organized multiple shifts.
Many new workers were employed and working hours were increased during the war years, industrial production boomed, local industrialists consolidated their position, substituting foreign manufacturers and capturing the home market.


Overall, the First World War proved to be a boon for Indian Industries.


Note:
After the war, the hold which the Manchester goods had on the Indian markets was lost.
Economy of Britain collapsed as it could not compete with the USA, Japan, and its European rivals.
The home market was captured by the Indian industrialists. This resulted in the growth of small scale industries in India.