Question

How did the partition of the country in 1947 affect the jute industry?

Answer 1

Hint: This situation led to a crisis in the jute textile industry and it was further worsened. The partition of the country in 1947 affected the jute industry very negatively and it led to a decline in the jute industry of India.

Complete answer:
After the fall of British Empire in India during the year 1947, most of the Jute Barons had begun to evacuate India, leaving behind the industrial setup of the Jute Industry. Most of the jute mills that were present in India had been taken over by the Marwaris businessmen. In East Pakistan after the partition that took place in 1947 lacked a Jute Industry but still had the finest stock of Jute fibre.
Partition of the country in 1947 had affected the jute industry since the jute growing areas were present in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) while the jute mills were in India. India has to import raw jute from Bangladesh in order to run the jute mills. There has been a gradual decline in the jute industry because of the following reasons :
(i) Considerable decline in demand for jute products.
(ii) Machinery was old and outdated at the same time.
(iii) Cost of production was high and there was stiff international competition from Bangladesh and Brazil.
(iv) Emergence of synthetic substitutes increased.
(v) Non-availability of labour.

Note:
Jute refers to a natural fibre having golden, soft, long, and silky shine. It is the cheapest fibre that is procured from the skin of the plant’s stem. Due to its colours and high cash value, Jute is also known as a golden fibre. Therefore, the Golden Fibre Revolution in India is also related to the jute production.