Question

The first modern cotton mill was established in Mumbai in _______.
  A.1851
  B.1854
  C.1857
  D.1860

Answer 1

Hint:Bombay, India was chosen as the first place where the Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company was to be set up. It was established by Cowaszee Nanabhoy Davar ( A Parsi capitalist) and his associates.

Complete answer:
1851: The Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company that was started by Cowaszee Davar promoted the first cotton mill in 1851, but it only became operationalized in 1854. This initiative embarked on a new phase of the cotton mills.

1854: The failure of the first cotton mill in 1818, gave way for the establishment of a new cotton mill in 1854 in Bombay. This place was an important financial place with ports facilitating the export of raw cotton from England and China. The Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company heralded the true foundation of the modern cotton industry in India.

1857: This year marks the famous Indian Rebellion or Indian Mutiny. However, the mutiny against the British turned out to be unsuccessful due to the lacunas of the Indian side. The movement was caused by the growing resentment because of social, religious, economic, and military grievances. There were many famous leaders from different parts of India, like Mangal Pandey ( Barrackpore), Bahadur Shah Zafar II ( Delhi), and others. Nothing related to the laying of the cotton industry happened this year.

1860: Britain experienced a cotton famine in 1860, which turned upside down the trade-in raw between India and Britain. This led to an extreme increase in the prices of raw cotton due to the American Civil war. Growth in this decade was very slow.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note:Today, India is the leading country in cotton producer, 2nd position after China. The Indian cotton industries faced challenges, like cheap imported British cotton. Along with Mumbai, Ahmedabad is also a major hub of the cotton industries.