In 1720, the British government enacted the Calico Act. What is it re...
Explanation:
Background:
During the 17th and 18th centuries, India was known for its textile industry, particularly in the production of cotton. The British East India Company saw this as a lucrative opportunity to import Indian textiles and sell them in England for a profit. However, this threatened the domestic textile industry in England, which led to the enactment of various laws to protect it.
The Calico Act:
In 1720, the British government passed the Calico Act, which prohibited the importation of printed cotton cloth from India. The act aimed to protect the domestic textile industry in England by limiting the competition from Indian textiles. The act imposed heavy penalties on the importers and sellers of Indian cotton cloth. The act also prohibited the wearing of Indian cotton cloth, except for the purpose of making or repairing sails for ships.
Impact:
The Calico Act had a significant impact on the Indian textile industry, which was heavily dependent on exports to England. The act led to a decline in demand for Indian cotton cloth, which had a ripple effect on the entire industry, including the cotton growers, weavers, dyers, and printers. The act also had a profound impact on the Indian economy, which was heavily dependent on the textile industry.
The act also led to the growth of the British textile industry, which was able to dominate the global market due to the protectionist policies of the British government. The act also paved the way for other protectionist measures, such as the Navigation Acts, which restricted the trade of goods between England and its colonies.
Conclusion:
The Calico Act was a significant event in the history of the British textile industry and had a profound impact on the Indian textile industry. The act was part of a broader trend of protectionism in the British economy, which aimed to protect the domestic industries from foreign competition. The act also highlights the exploitative nature of colonialism and the unequal distribution of power and resources between the colonizer and the colonized.
In 1720, the British government enacted the Calico Act. What is it re...
- The Calico Act banned the import of most cotton textiles into England, followed by the restriction of the sale of most cotton textiles. It was a form of economic protectionism, largely in response to India (particularly Bengal), which dominated world cotton textile markets at the time.
- The Act was a precursor to the Industrial Revolution when Britain eventually surpassed India as the world’s leading textile manufacturer in the 19th century.
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