Explain the factors responsible for the downfall of the cotton textile industry of India in the 19^th century.

The nineteenth century saw a decline in the Indian textile industries. It was because of the following reasons:

a. There was a significant development in the cotton industries of England. Therefore, the import duties were imposed on the goods of other countries. This smoothened the sale of Manchester goods in Britain without any outside competition.

b. There was a good increase in the export of British goods to India as they were sold in the Indian markets also.

c. Even though there was no practical import of cotton goods at the end of the eighteenth century, the percent of the cotton goods constituted around 31 percent of the value of Indian imports by 1850.

d. Since the goods were machine made in Manchester, the prices were meager.

e. The export of Indian cotton goods also shrank, and there was a huge downfall in the local markets too.

Thus, the collapse of the export market and failure of local market were considered to be the significant factors for the downfall of the cotton textile industries.