Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Purpose: Set the context by briefly mentioning the historical prominence of Indian artisans and the causes of their decline.
- Key Points:
- Indian artisans were renowned globally for their craftsmanship.
- Their decline was not inevitable but was shaped by a combination of colonial exploitation, industrialization, and socio-economic factors.
2. Main Body
A. Factors Contributing to the Decline
- Impact of British Industrialization
- Explanation: Machine-made British goods, mass-produced during the Industrial Revolution, displaced Indian handcrafted products.
- Facts:
- By the early 19th century, Indian textiles lost their dominance in global markets.
- Example: The Lancashire textile industry flourished at the expense of Indian weavers.
- Raw Material Shortages
- Explanation: The colonial administration diverted raw materials, like cotton and indigo, to Britain.
- Facts:
- Increased raw material prices crippled local artisans’ ability to produce affordable goods.
- Discriminatory Taxation
- Explanation: High import duties on Indian goods and low tariffs for British products in Indian markets undermined local industries.
- Facts:
- The Calico Act of 1720 banned the import of Indian textiles into Britain, giving local manufacturers an advantage.
- Loss of Patronage
- Explanation: The decline of princely states and zamindari patronage reduced demand for artisanal goods.
- Facts:
- Fine crafts like muslin weaving in Bengal suffered a major blow with the British annexation of states.
- Competition from Machine-Made Goods
- Explanation: Cheaper machine-made goods from Britain shifted consumer preferences.
- Exploitative Trade Practices
- Explanation: British merchants imposed low-price contracts and monopolized the trade of artisanal goods.
- Facts:
- Artisans were forced into exploitative contracts, leading many to abandon traditional crafts.
- Impact of Railways
- Explanation: Railways facilitated the spread of British goods to rural areas, further displacing local industries.
- Facts:
- Local markets were flooded with British products, eliminating rural artisans’ market share.
- Weak Guilds and Industrial Entrepreneurs
- Explanation: India lacked strong guild systems or entrepreneurial classes to protect and modernize artisanal industries.
- Coercion and Poverty
- Explanation: Artisans were forced to work for low wages, leading to the abandonment of their trades.
B. Could the Decline Have Been Prevented?
- Colonial Policies
- Lack of support for re-industrialization under British rule left artisans with no alternatives.
- Social and Political Context
- Decline of traditional systems, combined with exploitative economic policies, ensured the artisans’ plight.
3. Conclusion
- Summarize that while the decline of artisans was not inevitable, the colonial policies and systemic exploitation made it unavoidable under British rule.
- Highlight how their plight became a cornerstone of economic nationalism, uniting Indians against colonial exploitation.
Relevant Facts
- Historical Importance of Indian Artisans
- India was the leading producer of textiles and handicrafts until the 18th century.
- Industrial Revolution’s Impact
- British machine-made goods flooded Indian markets post-1750s, severely impacting handloom weavers.
- Discriminatory Tariffs
- The Calico Act (1720) in Britain restricted Indian textile imports while allowing British goods free access to Indian markets.
- Exploitation of Resources
- Raw cotton exports to Britain grew from 1 million pounds in 1790 to 1 billion pounds by 1858.
- Loss of Patronage
- The annexation of princely states like Awadh (1856) reduced the demand for artisanal goods.
- Railway Expansion
- Railways accelerated the spread of British goods to India’s interiors, displacing rural crafts.
- Economic Nationalism
- The decline of artisans galvanized nationalist leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, who highlighted the “Drain of Wealth.”
Model Answer
Introduction
The decline of traditional Indian artisans was not entirely inevitable but resulted from a combination of colonial policies, industrial competition, and socio-economic changes. While artisans faced numerous challenges, their decline was largely shaped by external interventions and systemic exploitation under British rule.
1. Impact of British Industrialization
2. Raw Material Shortages
3. Discriminatory Taxation
4. Loss of Royal Patronage
5. Competition from Machine-Made Goods
6. Exploitative Practices
7. Impact of Railways
8. Absence of Re-Industrialization
Conclusion
The decline of traditional Indian artisans was primarily the result of British policies rather than an inevitable outcome. However, their suffering fueled economic nationalism, becoming a rallying point for India’s freedom struggle. Nationalists used this critique to demand economic justice and independence.