Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Class 8 Notes CBSE History Chapter 6 (Free PDF Download)

The textile and iron industry played a very crucial role in the industrial revolution of India. These industries were also instrumental in propelling the success of Britain as the factory of the world. In Class 8 NCERT Social Science  History Chapter 6, we shall look at the development of these two industries and how they impacted the then economic and political landscape of India under British rule. Moreover, we shall also discuss how colonialism affected indigenous crafts and industries.

Indian Textile and the World Market 

• Even before the invasion of the British, India was the leading producer of cotton in the world. Indian textiles were renowned as they showed excellent craftsmanship and had fine quality.   

• Indian textile goods were heavily traded in Southern, Western as well as Eastern Asia.  

• It was in the 16th century that the European traders finally came across Indian textile and they were also impressed by the quality.
  

Indian Textile in the European Markets 

• Although Indian textiles were in high demand, their success was not welcomed by the European traders. 

• The demand for Indian textiles was so strong that other textile dealers felt threatened. Due to the supreme popularity of these goods, the European traders began protesting and demanded banning the import of Indian textile goods. 

• Finally, in 1720, the British government enacted legislation forbidding the selling of Indian textiles in their market. This prohibition was in place to help the budding textile industry of Britain.  

• The pressure of competition from the Indian textile industry was an important factor for technological advances in the textile industry. With the invention of the Spinning Jenny in 1764 by John Kaye, the productivity of the textile industry increased.  

• Richard Arkwright invented the steam engine in 1786. This meant that the transportation of cotton goods became cheaper. Due to such revolutionary inventions, the textile industry finally started becoming more available and affordable. 

• Even with all these advancements, the Indian textile industry continued to be the leader of the trades in  European markets. 

• The traders would import Indian goods with the silver they exported. When the British became the Diwan of Bengal, however, they were able to import Indian textiles with the help of the people's taxes.
  

Who Were Weavers? 

Weavers were generally part of a group of individuals who were skilled at weaving. For instance, the taant weavers of Bengal, the sale, and the Kaikollar and Devangs of south India, as well as the julahas or momin weavers of north India.

The Decline of the Cotton Industry 

• The decline of the cotton industry happened due to  the following reasons: 

1. The development of the British textile Industry put them at par with the Indian textile industry.

2. Importing textile goods from India to Britain incurred high taxes due to laws governing the import. 

• By the end of the eighteenth century, Britain-made textile goods removed Indian goods from the markets of different countries like Africa, America, and Europe.  The loss in demand of the textile industry resulted in the downfall of the textile industry.  

• The European traders stopped buying Indian textile goods and their agents also stopped paying advances for their products. The weavers tried to get the government to help relieve their plight. 

• The worst hit came when the British started selling their produce in the Indian market. The Indians started buying British products and the weaving industry also lost the native market.  

• Weavers were forced to quit their jobs and sustain themselves by migrating to different cities and/or taking up agriculture, etc. 

• Later during the struggle for independence, Indians started wearing Indian textile items, that is when the country's textile industry revived again.
  

India's Cotton Mills 

• In 1854, the first cotton mill in India was established in Bombay. Due to its geographical location and proximity to nearby cotton fields, it had emerged as an important port for import and export. After the mill was set up, cotton from these fields was used as raw materials. 

• Many mills sprang up all across India as a result of this. In 1861, a mill was constructed in Ahmedabad. By the early 1900s, 84 cotton mills had been established in India's different towns.

• The indigenous Indian textile industry, on the other hand, had to overcome a number of challenges in its early stages. Indian textiles, for example, couldn't compete with the low-cost British goods on the market.

• The colonial British government refused to take any actions to preserve the interest of local textile businessmen. The first rise of the Indian textile industry was thus noted after World War I when British imports were declined and the Indian mills were made responsible for making cloth for the military. 

• This created a demand for labour and labourers.  Artisans and craftsmen from nearby locations joined the textile mills to help with. This created a demand for labour and labourers.  Artisans and craftsmen from nearby locations joined the textile mills to help with production.
  

The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Wootz Steel 

The sword of the great Tipu sultan was famous not only because of its owner but also its makers. It was made of very hard steel smelt from iron available in India and known as the Wootz steel.  

• The iron smelting industry in India was a flourishing industry before colonisation. It was produced in villages by smelters who used iron ore from forests.  Charcoal from the forest was also used to produce the energy required for smelting iron. 

• However, by the nineteenth century, the iron smelting industry of India was declining rapidly.  

The Reasons for the Decline in the Iron Smelting Industry  are the following:

• Forest Laws in India: The forest laws in India prevented people from entering forests. With these laws, people could not procure wood for charcoal or ore for iron. 

• High Taxes on Smelters: In the regions, the government allowed access to forests, the people had to pay high taxes for the said. The result was that the end product had very high selling prices and lower net profit. 

• Iron and Steel Import from Britain: By the end of the nineteenth century, Britain started importing steel and iron to India. These cheap resources were used to make utensils and implements. 

• By the end of the twentieth century, the iron smelters were forced to leave their homes and migrate elsewhere for employment.
  

The Iron and Steel Factories in India 

• The beginning of the rise of the iron and steel industry in India began with the efforts made by Dorabji Tata.

• In his effort to find suitable sources of iron ore in  India, he discovered the Rajhara hills from the information obtained from the Agarais. The iron ore was of very good quality. However, due to the lack of suitable water sources, Tata could not immediately set up his factory near the source. 

• The opportunity of setting off the iron industry came after Jamshedpur was established after clearing a  forested area near the source. 

• In 1912, the Tata Iron and Steel Company was founded. The construction of this facility took place at the same time as the growth of Indian railways. The iron and steel required for this expansion were provided by TISCO.

• TISCO saw a surge in the iron and steel sector during World War II when imports from Britain fell due to the war's increased need for iron. TISCO also provided Britain with the iron and steel required to build weapons and ammunition throughout the conflict.

• As the Nationalist movement kept on gaining momentum, the textile and iron industries in India kept getting stronger.

Important Questions and Answers 

1. What were the problems of Indian textile during British rule?  

Ans: The problems of the Indian textile industry during British rule are mentioned below: 

• Due to the high demand for Indian textile products in the European market, the import of Indian textile goods was banned in a number of countries including  Britain. 

• The industrial revolution in Britain paved the way for the development of spinning Mills which improved production time. 

• The invention of steam engines also decreased the cost of transport and made cotton goods more available to the people. 

• Products developed by the British textile industry became more popular due to low prices and the native industry lost its charm. 

2. Why did the Indian textile industry fall after the industrial revolution in Britain? 

Ans: The reasons for the fall of the textile industry are as follows:

• Due to technological advances, the production time for cotton goods decreased. 

• Raw materials from India were brought by the British at cheap prices and exported to their country for making finished products. 

• The textile products from India could not compete against the products produced in the foreign market due to superior technology. 

• Transportation by steam engines became less time-consuming and cheaper. Foreign goods thus gained favour in the market as the Indian goods were costlier and more difficult to come by. 

3. Discuss iron smelting before Colonisation (Wooltz steel)? Why did it decline after colonisation? 

Ans: Smelters smelted iron in every settlement. Forests were used to harvest minerals, as well as charcoal. Women used bellows to burn the charcoal while the men melted the iron. The furnaces were powered by wood-fired charcoal. Smelters were located in each hamlet.

The following are the factors that have contributed to the collapse of the iron industry:

• The British introduced forest laws that prevented labourers from collecting iron ore and charcoal from the forest without which the furnaces could not function and iron could not be smelted. 

• In regions where natives were allowed to collect resources from the forest, there was a high tax imposition which reduced the net profit of the labourers. 

• The local iron smelting industry could not compete with the foreign iron industry which imported iron and steel at very low prices. 

4. How did Tata help the iron industry? 

Ans: The rebirth of the iron-smelting business was due to Dorabji Tata. He was the one who discovered the source of the finest iron in India. The set-up of the factory was however not possible at first due to the absence of suitable water sources in the vicinity. Tata set up their industry in Jamshedpur after the area was cleared of forests to facilitate industrialization. The Tata Iron and  Steel Company was responsible for providing the iron needed for railway expansion in India. They also supplied iron to the East India Company during World War I which was utilised for making arms and ammunition in the war. 

5. Why was Bombay important for the textile industry? 

Ans: Bombay was an important port that was required for the import and export of foreign goods. The businessmen in Bombay earned money specifically through the import and export of goods. This made Bombay ideal for businessmen to set up their factories. The first textile mill in India was set up in Bombay by Parsi and Gujarati businessmen. Cotton from surrounding cotton fields in Gujarat provided the raw materials needed for the industry. The National  East Movement grew stronger with time and coupled with the fact that the British imports declined during World  War I made the cotton textile industry gain more success.

Class 8 Social Science - History Chapter 6 Weavers, Iron Smelters, and Factory Owners Notes

Weavers, Iron Smelters, and Factory Owners Notes 

Indian Textiles and the World Market 

During the 1750s, India was recognized as the largest cotton textile producer who was renowned both for its impeccable craftsmanship and premium quality. These cotton textiles were moreover manufactured and traded in Southeast Asia (Penang, Sumatra, Java), central, and even Western Asia. European trading corporations purchased textiles and further sold them in the whole of Europe. 

• Words Tell Us Histories 

Initially, European traders came across fine cotton cloth in India. Arab merchants in present-day Iraq moreover carried this cloth. Several merchants from the Portuguese came to India to find essential spices and cotton textiles. In this section of the chapter, you’ll learn more about the rich history of India in terms of cotton textiles and distinguishing countries that depended on India for these industries. 

• Indian Textiles in Europe Markets 

Indian Textiles became vastly well-known in Europe in the early 19th century. However, this concerned silk and wool markers in England. The Englanders began protesting widely against the Indian cotton textile export. In this section, students will gain deeper insights into Indian textiles that were exported to European markets. You'll learn about different textiles that were manufactured and sold in England by the Indian industries. 

Who were the Weavers? 

Weavers generally belonged to communities that excelled in weaving. These skills were further passed from generation to generation. Many communities, like the Tanvi weavers, were well-known across North India. Even the Momin and Julahas were quite known in northern India. The first stage of this production involved spinning. Here, charkha and takli were utilised. A thread was spun around this charkha, thereby simultaneously rolled on a takli. After continuous spinning of the thread, it was further women into cloth by these weavers. Different methodologies were used for coloured textiles. Students will learn about the summary of Indian weavers in this section of the chapter. 

• The Decline of Indian Textiles 

Cotton industries were primarily developed in Britain. These immensely impacted the textile producers of India. Indian textiles underwent intense competition with British textiles in the American and European markets. Textile Exporting to England became extensively challenging as high duties were constrained on the Indian textiles that were imported to Britain. In this section of the chapter, students will learn more about how there was a speedy decline of Indian textiles in England. Students will learn about different reasons why this happened and how it impacted the Indian economy. 

• Cotton Mills Come Up 

The first cotton mill was established in 1854 in Bombay. Today, this cotton mill is recognised as one of the most prominent ports for the export of raw cotton from our country to China and even England. Over 84 mills were further set up by Gujarati and Parsi businessmen in Bombay in the year 1900. Mills were additionally developed in several cities. The first mill that was set up in Ahmedabad started regulating in 1861. Students will learn more about distinguishing cotton mills that were established in India during British rule. 

The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Wootz Steel 

Tipu Sultan’s sword was known to be extremely special, and it comprises a sharp and hard edge. It is believed that this shape edge could effortlessly rip through anybody’s armour. This section of the chapter tells us about Tipu Sultan’s sword and how it was produced. 

• Abandoned Furnaces in Village

Wootz steel production needed an extremely conceptualised technique for refining the iron. Iron smelting became quite common in India during the late 19th century. This section of the chapter deals with distinguishing furnaces that were abandoned in villages. Refer to the Weavers Iron Smelters and Factory Owners Notes to learn more about this. 

• Iron and Steel Factories Come Up in India 

In 1904, an American Geologist, called Charles Weld, along with Jamsetji Tata’s son Dorabji Tata travelled to Chhattisgarh to find iron ore deposits. In the last section of the chapter, you will learn about a plethora of steel and iron factories that were established in India.

Benefits of CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 6 Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

• These revision notes have been prepared in a concise and precise manner to cater to the students’ need for faster revision. These will help them cover the entire chapter in a brief period of time.

• The topics have been discussed in detail and complemented with some solved important questions that ensure students can assess their level of understanding and preparedness for the exam.

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Without further ado, download the free PDF of the revision notes for CBSE Class 8 History today and prepare smartly and effectively for the upcoming exams. Revise every aspect of the chapter without having to read through the entire lesson and solve the important questions to give your confidence the boost and preparation the extra edge.

Conclusion 

The Class 8 Notes CBSE History Chapter 6 delve into the changes brought about by the British colonial rule, including the introduction of mechanized factories and large-scale production. They examine the impact of these changes on the traditional industries and the lives of weavers, iron smelters, and factory owners. Students gain insights into the socio-economic conditions, technological advancements, and challenges faced by these different groups during this period.

The Class 8 Notes CBSE History Chapter 6 - Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners offer a comprehensive and accessible resource for students to study and understand the historical context, challenges, and impact of the weaving, iron smelting, and factory industries during the 18th and 19th centuries in India. These notes, available as a free PDF download, provide a structured and concise overview of the chapter's content.