Question

The first paper mill of India was located on the bank of _____________ river.

Answer 1

Hint: The first paper mill of India was located in Bengal. It was established by the British in 1812 but with very little production.

Complete answer: The first paper mill of India was located on the bank of Hoogly river in Serampore, Bengal. It was established by British missionary Dr William Carey in 1812. Though in the beginning it was well appreciated but later, due to lack of demand for paper in India, it failed. Its machinery was taken by Titaghur Mills which were established in 1882. Jute, Cotton rags, waste paper and sometimes ‘Moonj’ and ‘sabai’ grass have been used by these mills but found it difficult to compete with the foreign paper which was made by wood pulp.
In 1903, there were nine paper mills established in Bengal, Bombay and Lucknow which produced nearly 44 million pounds of paper. During the first World War, the imports of paper declined drastically which was a boon for India industries as government expenditure on Indian paper increased which led to an increase in price and production.

Note: After the independence, the paper mills expanded in other states as well such as Maharashtra and Mysore where the paper production increased by 34 %.