**Conditions of Weavers during the Colonial Period**

During the colonial period, weavers faced various conditions that impacted their lives and livelihoods. Let's explore these conditions in detail:

**1. Economic Conditions:**
- Weavers were an important part of the colonial economy, as they produced textiles essential for clothing and trade.
- However, weavers often faced economic challenges due to the dominance of the colonial powers, who controlled the trade and set the prices for their products.
- The weavers' income was often insufficient to meet their basic needs, leading to poverty and a constant struggle to make ends meet.

**2. Working Conditions:**
- Weavers typically worked in their homes or small workshops, using hand-operated looms.
- The work was physically demanding, with long hours spent weaving intricate patterns and designs.
- Weavers had to procure their own raw materials, such as cotton or wool, which added to their financial burden.
- The lack of proper ventilation and workspace ergonomics often resulted in health issues, including respiratory problems and muscular strains.

**3. Lack of Control over Production:**
- Weavers had minimal control over the production process since they were often dependent on middlemen or merchants who provided them with raw materials and marketed their finished products.
- This lack of control meant weavers had limited say in the pricing and distribution of their goods, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by intermediaries seeking to maximize their profits.

**4. Competition from Imported Textiles:**
- The colonial powers, such as Britain, imported large quantities of textiles to their colonies, which posed a significant challenge to the local weavers.
- Imported textiles were often mass-produced using mechanized looms, which made them cheaper and more readily available than hand-woven fabrics.
- This competition led to a decline in demand for locally woven textiles, further exacerbating the economic difficulties faced by weavers.

**5. Lack of Technological Advancements:**
- Weavers during the colonial period were primarily reliant on traditional hand-operated looms, which limited their productivity and efficiency compared to mechanized looms.
- The lack of technological advancements in weaving techniques and equipment hindered the growth and competitiveness of the weaving industry.

In conclusion, weavers during the colonial period faced economic challenges, difficult working conditions, limited control over production, competition from imported textiles, and a lack of technological advancements. These conditions resulted in a constant struggle for weavers to sustain their livelihoods and preserve their traditional craftsmanship.

(i) After establishing political control, the East India Company asserted monopoly of trade. They developed a system of management to eliminate competition and ensure continuous and regular supply of textile goods.(ii) The company established indirect control over the weavers through their paid agents called 'gomasthas' who supervised the weavers, collected supplies and examined the quality of cloth.(iii) This system prevented the weavers from dealing with other traders. In 19th century cotton weavers in India faced two problems. British machine-made goods flooded Indian market. So for Indian weavers export market collapsed and local market shrank.The imported textile goods were so cheap that Indian goods could not compete with them. Indian weavers presented a picture of decline and desolation.