Core of the Rising Middle Class in India Before the Battle of Plassey:

Dadni Merchants

- Dadni merchants were the core of the rising middle class in India before the Battle of Plassey.
- They were a class of traders who dealt in long-distance trade and specialized in the export of Indian textiles, particularly cotton fabrics.
- They played a crucial role in the growth of the Indian textile industry and in the expansion of trade with other countries.
- They were also involved in money-lending and acted as intermediaries between the rural producers and the urban markets.
- They accumulated wealth and social status through their business activities and were able to establish themselves as a distinct group within society.

Agents, Contractors, and Money-Changers

- While agents, contractors, and money-changers were also part of the rising middle class, they were not as prominent as Dadni merchants.
- Agents were intermediaries who facilitated trade between producers and merchants, while contractors undertook the execution of contracts or projects for a commission.
- Money-changers, as the name suggests, dealt in foreign exchange and money lending.
- While these groups were involved in various business activities, they did not have the same level of influence and social status as Dadni merchants.

Conclusion

- In conclusion, Dadni merchants were the core of the rising middle class in India before the Battle of Plassey.
- Their role in the growth of the textile industry and in the expansion of trade with other countries was crucial.
- They accumulated wealth and social status through their business activities and established themselves as a distinct group within society.