Answer in Detail

What were the effects of Industrial Revolution of England on India?

India was an English colony during the days of the Industrial Revolution. During the 18^th century, while England was known as an agrarian country, India was famous for high-quality agriculture as well as manufacturing. India accounted for over half the export market of the world.

Industrial Revolution toppled the Indian hold on the export market.

1. India was lead producer of cotton textiles. Indian cotton and muslin, especially from Bangladesh and Calcutta were famous around the world. With the coming of mechanised mills in Europe, however, the cheap cloth was produced at a much larger scale in England.

2. Handlooms were no match to the spinning jenny or the spinning mule. The cloth produced in India was costlier, and hence it’s market began to dwindle.

3. India was an English colony during the Industrial Revolution. The English overlords wanted raw materials like indigo for their factories in England. Hence, they forced the Indian farmers to grow indigo on their land, and paid them poorly. This led to the discouragement of agriculture.

4. Several laws were enacted to prohibit the use of Indian silk in England. At the same time, Indian markets were flooded with foreign made goods.

5. Finally, even the export of raw cotton from India dwindled. Over time, Indian industries were sabotaged, and Indian families had no option but to go as indentured labourers to West Indian plantations.