Class 10 History Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - The Age of Industrialisation

Ans: (a)
James Watt improved the steam engine in the late 18th century by making it more efficient, which played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution by powering machines and factories.

Ans: (a)
J.R.D. Tata established the first iron and steel industry in India, called Tata Steel, in 1907 at Jamshedpur. This industry was a significant step in India's industrial development and marked the beginning of large-scale steel production in the country.

Ans:  Marketing of goods done in India by the British through advertisements.

Ans: Advertisements through newspapers, magazines, hoarding were the most important method used by the producers to expand the market. It played a major role in expanding the markets and shaping a new consumer culture. Advertisements make products appear desirable and necessary.

Ans: During industrialization, advertisements conveyed messages of modernity, convenience, quality, patriotism, and social status of consumers. These messages helped to promote and sell products to a growing consumer market and also shape up minds of people and create new needs in them.

Ans: 
(i) Due to the industrial revolution and availability of job opportunities in factories of London.
(ii) Gas work was the seasonal Industry and they were In need to low wage workers.
(iii) (a) Machines needed huge capital investments.
(b) Machines were costly, ineffective, difficult to repair.
(c) Labour was available at low wages.
(d) In seasonal industries, only seasonal labour was required.

Ans: Carding is a mechanical process used to prepare fibres for spinning. It involves:

• Disentangling fibres, such as cotton or wool.
• Cleaning the fibres to remove impurities.
• Intermixing the fibres to create a uniform web.

This process is essential for producing a continuous web of material that can be spun into yarn.

Ans: Dinshaw Petit and Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata were two prominent industrialists from Bombay who established significant industrial empires during the nineteenth century.

Ans: The elite of Britain preferred hand-made goods in the mid-nineteenth century for several key reasons:

• Quality and Craftsmanship: Hand-made items were often better finished and individually crafted, reflecting a higher standard of quality.
• Symbol of Status: These goods symbolised refinement and class, distinguishing the elite from the masses.
• Unique Designs: Hand-made products could feature intricate designs and specific shapes that machines could not replicate.
• National Pride: Hand-made goods were viewed as a mark of British craftsmanship, while machine-made items were often exported.

This preference highlighted the elite's desire for exclusivity and a connection to traditional craftsmanship.

Ans: The export of Indian textiles declined at the beginning of the nineteenth century for several reasons:

• Duties on Cotton Textiles: The British government imposed duties on Indian cotton textiles, making them more expensive and less competitive in the export market.
• Increased British Imports: The influx of cheap, machine-made goods from Britain flooded Indian markets, significantly reducing demand for Indian textiles.
• Decline of Weaving Regions: By the mid-nineteenth century, many traditional weaving areas in India struggled to compete with the lower prices and efficiency of British textiles, leading to a sharp decline in exports.
  
  

Ans: The impact of industrialisation on Indian weavers during the eighteenth century was largely negative, resulting in significant changes to their lives and livelihoods:

• Loss of bargaining power: Weavers could no longer negotiate prices for their goods, forcing them to sell at lower rates. This led to a decline in their income.
• Clashes with gomasthas: Gomasthas, who were agents hired to manage weavers, often exploited them, causing conflicts and disputes.
• Protests and punishment: Many weavers protested against the British government's detrimental policies, facing punishment for delays or other issues.
• Migration and desertion: In regions like Carnatic and Bengal, weavers left their villages, some closing their workshops and refusing to work for the British.
• Overall decline: The industry faced a steep decline, leading to economic hardships and a loss of traditional livelihoods.

Ans: British manufacturers made several attempts to take over the Indian market during the colonial period. Some of the methods they employed include:

• Imposition of import duties: British manufacturers pressured the government to impose import duties on Indian cotton textiles. This made Indian products relatively more expensive in comparison to British goods.
• Influence on the East India Company: British manufacturers convinced the East India Company to sell British manufactured goods in the Indian market. This gave them a significant advantage over Indian producers.
• Advertisement: British manufacturers used advertisements to create interest in their products among Indian consumers. They employed various strategies to promote their goods and establish their brands.
• Use of labels: When Manchester industrialists started selling cloth in India, they put labels on the cloth bundles. These labels helped in branding and marketing their products as well as differentiating them from Indian textiles.
• Cultural appropriation: British manufacturers sometimes used images of Indian Gods and Goddesses in their advertisements and packaging to appeal to the religious sentiments of Indian consumers.

Ans: The decline of Indian cotton textiles in the early nineteenth century can be attributed to several causes:

• Introduction of cheaper British textiles: British machine-made cotton goods were cheaper, making it hard for Indian hand-made cotton textiles to compete in price. As a result, British products flooded the Indian market, causing a drop in demand for Indian textiles.
• Disruption in cotton supply: When the American Civil War broke out, the supply of raw cotton from the US to Britain was interrupted. This forced Britain to buy cotton from India, which created a shortage of cotton for Indian weavers.
• Growth of cotton factories in India: By the end of the nineteenth century, cotton factories were set up in India, which further hurt traditional handloom cotton textiles.

Ans: The statement highlights that a series of changes influenced the pattern of industrialisation in India by the early twentieth century. 
These changes can be analyzed as follows:

• Shift to heavy industries: In the early twentieth century, India began focusing more on heavy industries. Sectors like steel, chemicals, and machinery grew significantly with more investment.

• Infrastructure development: This period also saw the development of key infrastructure like railways, ports, and power plants. These improvements were important for industrial growth and helped industries expand.

• Impact of World War I: World War I had a big impact on industrialisation in India. The war created new demands for industrial goods, leading to higher production and the expansion of industries.

• Role of Indian entrepreneurs: Indian business owners played an important role in this industrial growth. They started businesses in different sectors and helped industries grow successfully.

• Rise of national movements: The early twentieth century also saw the rise of movements for self-rule in India. These movements influenced industrialisation by shaping policies and creating a sense of unity, which helped industries grow.

Ans: The cotton textile industry in India witnessed a decline in the mid-nineteenth century due to the following factors:

• Imposition of duties: The British government put taxes on Indian exports to Britain, under pressure from British manufacturers. This made Indian textiles more expensive and less competitive in the international market.

• East India Company's influence: The East India Company, influenced by British manufacturers, started selling British-made goods in India. This led to a drop in demand for Indian textiles.

• Competition from machine-made textiles: British machine-made cotton textiles were cheaper than hand-made Indian textiles. As a result, Indian weavers lost a large share of the market.

• Raw cotton shortage: When the Civil War broke out in the United States in the 1860s, cotton supplies from the US to Britain were cut off. Britain turned to India for cotton, creating a shortage of raw cotton for Indian weavers.

• Rise of Indian cotton factories: By the end of the nineteenth century, cotton factories began to appear in India. This further weakened the traditional handloom industry as machine-made textiles became more popular.

Ans: Early entrepreneurs in India played a significant role in the development of industries. Some examples of their contributions include:

• Dwarkanath Tagore: Dwarkanath Tagore was one of the first people to start industries in India in the 1830s and 1840s. While his business faced difficulties and closure in the 1840s, he laid the groundwork for future industrial development.

• Parsi industrialists: In the late nineteenth century, Parsi businessmen like Dinshaw Petit and Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata became successful industrialists. They built large industrial empires and made money by exporting goods to China and sending raw cotton to England.

• Seth Hukumchand: Seth Hukumchand, a Marwari businessman, set up the first Indian jute mill in Calcutta in 1917. This marked the beginning of the jute industry in India.

• Birla Group: The Birla Group, founded by successful traders from China, also played an important role in India’s industrial development. They expanded into various industries and became well-known industrialists.

Ans: The conditions of workers in Europe after the Industrial Revolution were generally poor and marked by several challenges:

• Long working hours: Workers had to work for 12 to 16 hours a day, six days a week. They had very little free time and were often tired because of the heavy workload.

• Low wages: Women and children earned much lower wages than men. This created unfair pay differences and inequality in the workforce.

• Lack of job security: Finding a job was tough, and workers without employment often had to sleep on bridges or in shelters. Many industries were seasonal, which led to periods of unemployment and financial instability.

• Poor working conditions: Factories were dusty, dirty, and lacked proper lighting. They only had sunlight through a few windows. The machines ran on steam, creating smoke-filled air and health risks for workers.

• Lack of safety regulations: There were no safety rules or measures, and accidents happened often. Workers faced the risk of injuries and illnesses due to the absence of protective equipment.

• Housing and living conditions: Workers lived in small, crowded homes with poor sanitation and hygiene. They struggled to access basic services and had poor living conditions.

Ans: Merchants from towns in Europe began to move to the countryside in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries because they wanted to expand their production for the international market. However, they were unable to do so within the towns due to the power of urban crafts and trade guilds, which prevented the entry of merchants. Moving to the countryside allowed them to supply money to peasants and artisans and persuade them to produce goods for the growing demand. 

Ans: Proto-industrialisation refers to the early phase of industrialisation in Europe, before the establishment of factories. In the eighteenth century English countryside, certain conditions created favorable circumstances for proto-industrialisation. These conditions include the expansion of world trade and the acquisition of colonies, which led to an increased demand for goods. Merchants from towns in Europe began moving to the countryside, providing financial support to peasants and artisans and encouraging them to produce for the international market. This shift allowed for large-scale production and the emergence of a proto-industrial system.

Ans: The East India Company procured regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers by implementing certain strategies:

• Elimination of existing traders: The East India Company removed the middlemen and appointed "Gomasthas" as supervisors. These Gomasthas were in charge of overseeing the production of textiles and making sure the company received regular supplies.
• System of advances: The company introduced a system where they gave money in advance to the weavers. In exchange, the weavers had to agree to produce textiles only for the company. This gave the company more control over the weavers and helped ensure a constant supply of textiles.
• Control over prices: The weavers were forced to accept the prices set by the company. This allowed the company to control both the pricing and the production of textiles.

Ans: In the eighteenth century Europe, peasants and artisans in the countryside readily agreed to work for merchants for several reasons:

• Loss of open fields and limited income: In the eighteenth century, the closure of open fields and common lands meant that peasants had fewer ways to earn money. Merchants offered them work, which provided an extra source of income to help make up for the lower earnings from farming.

• Small plots of land: Many peasants had small pieces of land that couldn’t provide enough work for the entire family. Working for merchants allowed them to use their skills and labor to earn money.

• Advance payments from merchants: Merchants offered financial support to the peasants and artisans by giving them advances. This allowed the peasants to produce goods since they lacked the money to expand their production on their own.

Ans: Three conditions that were favorable for the continuing growth of industries in 18th-century India are as follows: 

• Abundant natural resources: India had a lot of coal and iron-ore, which are key resources needed for industrial production.

• Presence of perennial rivers: Many rivers that flow throughout the year made transportation easier and supported irrigation, which helped industries grow.

• Access to raw materials: India had a large supply of raw materials like cotton, silk, and spices. These were in high demand both in India and abroad.

• Infrastructure and large market: A vast network of roads and railways, along with a large market, also helped industries develop in 18th-century India.

Ans: The statement that industrialization gave birth to imperialism can be justified with the following arguments: 

• Need for raw materials: Industrialization created a constant demand for raw materials to keep production going. Industrialized countries like Britain looked for new sources of raw materials, which led to the colonization of resource-rich areas.

• Protective tariffs and new markets: To protect their own industries, industrialized nations imposed high import duties on goods. This made it necessary for them to find new markets for their products, which led to colonizing regions that hadn't industrialized yet.

• Colonies as sources and markets: Colonies became important both as suppliers of cheap raw materials and as easy markets for the finished goods from industrialized countries. The economic need for raw materials and markets drove the race for colonies, making imperialism a direct result of industrialization.

Ans: Before the age of machine industries, foreign trade from India was conducted through several key methods:

• Textile Dominance: India was renowned for its silk and cotton goods, which were highly sought after in the international market. While coarser cotton was made in various countries, India's finer varieties were preferred.
• Merchant Networks: Merchants, including Armenian and Persian traders, transported goods from regions like Punjab to Afghanistan, Eastern Persia, and Central Asia.
• Land Transport: Bales of fine textiles were carried on camelback through mountain passes and across deserts, linking different areas.
• Sea Trade: A vibrant maritime trade flourished through major pre-colonial ports such as Surat, Masulipatnam, and Hooghly, connecting India to the Gulf, Red Sea, and Southeast Asian ports.

These trade routes and networks facilitated the exchange of goods and helped establish strong commercial ties with various regions.

Ans: Clashes between the weavers and the gomasthas, who were appointed supervisors by the East India Company, arose from several key issues:

• Local Relationships: Weavers had previously worked with local merchants, creating strong community ties. The introduction of gomasthas, who were outsiders, disrupted these relationships and led to conflict.
• Authoritarian Behaviour: Gomasthas often entered villages with sepoys and peons, using intimidation and punishment against weavers for any delays or mistakes, which escalated tensions.
• Restricted Bargaining: The Company limited weavers' ability to negotiate prices or sell to other buyers. Low wages and lack of alternatives caused significant discontent, resulting in clashes and revolts.

Ans: The abundance of labour in the market during the nineteenth century significantly impacted workers' lives:

• Lower wages: With many workers available, employers could pay lower wages. This reduced workers' purchasing power and worsened their economic conditions.
• Unemployment and job insecurity: High competition for jobs led to increased unemployment. Many workers waited weeks for employment and often took odd jobs to survive.
• Increased exploitation: Employers exploited the surplus of labour by paying less and demanding longer hours, further deteriorating workers' living conditions.
• Social unrest and protests: The situation led to social unrest, with workers organising strikes and movements to demand better wages and working conditions.
• Migration and displacement: Many workers migrated to cities for jobs, but the surplus often left them unemployed, forcing some to return to their villages.

Ans: Proto-industrialisation refers to the system of industries that existed in Europe before modern factories emerged. This system involved large-scale production aimed at an international market, primarily based in rural areas rather than urban factories.

The significance of proto-industrialisation can be summarised as follows:

• Alternative income: It provided rural populations with a way to earn money, especially as agricultural incomes declined. Cottage industries allowed families to supplement their earnings.
• Workforce development: Proto-industrialisation created a skilled workforce and fostered a culture of entrepreneurship, laying the groundwork for the later industrial revolution.
• Technological innovation: It spurred the development of new technologies and production methods, contributing to the growth and diversification of various industries.
• Trade expansion: The system enhanced trade and commerce, both locally and internationally, establishing a network of merchants, traders, and producers.
• Social changes: It altered social structures and labour divisions, allowing women and children to participate in production, which challenged traditional gender roles.

Ans: British industrialists in the nineteenth century were hesitant to adopt modern machinery for several reasons:

• Seasonal demand for labour: Many industries experienced fluctuating demand, making a constant workforce costly during off-peak times.
• Product variety: Some goods could only be made using traditional hand techniques, which modern machinery could not replicate, limiting product diversity.
• Skill requirements: Certain products needed specific human skills that machines could not mimic. Handmade items were often viewed as superior in quality.

• Upper-class preferences: The upper class favoured handmade goods, associating them with refinement and quality, while machine-made items were seen as cheap.
• Cultural resistance: There was significant opposition to modern machinery due to fears of job losses and the decline of traditional crafts, threatening workers' livelihoods.

Ans: Advertisement plays a crucial role in the marketing of goods. Some examples highlighting its importance include:

• Creating awareness: Advertisement helps in creating awareness about products or services among potential consumers. It provides information about the features, benefits, and availability of the goods, attracting the attention of the target audience.
• Brand promotion: Advertisement plays a vital role in promoting brands and establishing their identity in the market. Companies use various advertising techniques to differentiate their products from competitors and build brand recognition.
• Influencing consumer behavior: Effective advertisement campaigns can influence consumer behavior and generate demand for specific products. By highlighting the unique selling points and benefits, advertisements can persuade consumers to make a purchase.
• Expanding market reach: Advertisement enables companies to reach a wider audience and expand their market reach. Through various media channels, companies can target different demographics and geographical areas, increasing their customer base.
• Enhancing sales: Well-executed advertisement campaigns can lead to increased sales and revenue. By attracting customers and persuading them to buy products, advertisements contribute to the overall success of businesses.