NCERT CLASS 8 HISTORY CHAPTER 6: WEAVERS, IRON SMELTERS AND FACTORY OWNERS

 NCERT CLASS 8 HISTORY CHAPTER 6: WEAVERS, IRON SMELTERS AND FACTORY OWNERS

1. What kinds of cloth had a large market in Europe?

• In the medieval period, woolen cloth was in great demand in Europe.
• By the seventeenth century, Indian cotton textiles like calicoes, chintz, and muslins became popular.
• Silk, especially the fine silk produced in China, was also highly valued.

2. What is jamdani?

• Jamdani is a type of fine muslin fabric that originated in Bengal (present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal).
• It is handwoven on a traditional loom, and the motifs are woven into the fabric rather than being printed or embroidered.
• Jamdani is known for its intricate designs and lightweight texture, making it a popular choice for sarees and other traditional garments.

3. What is bandanna?

• Bandanna is a type of printed cotton cloth that originated in India.
• It is typically square-shaped and features designs such as paisleys or floral patterns.
• Bandannas were originally used as head coverings or neckerchiefs, but they became popular as a fashion accessory in Europe and America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

4. Who are the Agaria?

• The Agaria are a community of iron smelters who traditionally lived in the forests of central India.
• They used to produce high-quality iron using a traditional method known as the charcoal iron smelting process.
• With the decline of traditional iron smelting and the growth of industrial iron production, the Agaria community faced economic hardship and had to adapt to new forms of livelihood.

5. Do it yourself.
6. How do the names of different textiles tell us about their histories?

• The names of textiles often reveal their place of origin or the techniques used to produce them.
• For example, calico is named after the Indian city of Calicut (now Kozhikode), where it was originally produced.
• The word muslin is derived from Mosul, a city in present-day Iraq, which was a major center for the production of fine cotton fabrics in the medieval period.

7. Why did the wool and silk producers in England protest against the import of Indian textiles in the early eighteenth century?

• The wool and silk producers in England were threatened by the growing popularity of Indian cotton textiles like calicoes and muslins.
• They feared that the cheap and high-quality Indian textiles would undermine the market for their own products.
• As a result, they lobbied for protectionist measures to restrict the import of Indian textiles, leading to the imposition of heavy tariffs and even a ban on the wearing of Indian textiles in England.

8. How did the development of cotton industries in Britain affect textile producers in India?

• The development of cotton industries in Britain, especially after the invention of the spinning jenny and other machines, led to the growth of mass-produced cotton textiles that could be sold at lower prices than Indian textiles.
• This had a devastating impact on the Indian textile industry, which was unable to compete with the cheap and abundant British cotton textiles.
• Many weavers and textile workers in India lost their livelihoods as a result, leading to social and economic upheaval.

9. Why did the Indian iron smelting industry decline in the nineteenth century?

Reasons for the decline of the Indian iron smelting industry in the nineteenth century

The Indian iron smelting industry faced a decline in the nineteenth century due to various reasons, including:

• British colonial policies, which imposed heavy taxes and restrictions on traditional iron smelting.
• The growth of industrial iron production in Britain and other parts of Europe, which made it difficult for traditional iron smelters to compete.
• The decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional states, which affected the patronage and support for traditional iron smelting.
• The availability of cheap imported iron from Britain and other countries, which reduced the demand for locally produced iron.

10. What problems did the Indian textile industry face in the early years of its development?

Challenges faced by the Indian textile industry in the early years of its development

      The Indian textile industry faced several challenges in the early years of its development,                         including:

• Lack of modern technology and machinery, which made the production process slow and inefficient.
• Limited access to capital and credit, which made it difficult for weavers and textile workers to invest in their businesses and improve their production methods.
• Competition from imported textiles, especially from Britain, which were cheaper and of higher quality.
• The decline of traditional textile centers due to political instability and the changing patterns of trade and commerce.

11. Factors that helped TISCO expand steel production during the First World War

            TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company) was able to expand its steel production during the First                 World War due to various factors, including:

• The increased demand for steel during the war, especially for armaments and munitions.
• The availability of cheap labor and resources in India, which made it easier for TISCO to expand its operations.
• The investment of capital and technology by the Tata family, who had the vision and foresight to develop a modern steel industry in India.
• The establishment of a close relationship between TISCO and the British government, which provided support and contracts for the company's products.