Please refer to Assignments Class 10 Social Science The Age of Industrialisation Chapter 4 with solved questions and answers. We have provided Class 10 Social Science Assignments for all chapters on our website. These problems and solutions for Chapter 4 The Age of Industrialisation Class 10 Social Science have been prepared as per the latest syllabus and books issued for the current academic year. Learn these solved important questions to get more marks in your class tests and examinations.
The Age of Industrialisation Assignments Class 10 Social Science
ONE MARK QUESTIONS
Question. Why were merchants from towns in Europe began to move countryside in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries?
Ans : During the 17th and 18th centuries, the world trade and the colonies expanded which increased the demands of goods. The merchants were not able to cope up within towns because of the powerful urban crafts and trade guilds and therefore they moved to the countryside to persuade the peasants and artisans to produce for the international market and also supplied money to them.
Question. By 1750’s Why the commercial networks of Indian trailers did began to decline in India ?
Ans : The Europea, A trading companies secured huge concessions and trading privileges from various rulers and local courts that boosted their trade. After this, they secured monopoly rights to trade even. This impacted the trading activities of the Indian traders and merchants.
Question. How was the relationship between the Gomasthas and the weavers ?
Ans : The Gomasthas were paid agents of the English company who were outsiders and not from the villages. He was arrogant and often marched into the villages with sepoys to beat up the weavers and craftsmen if they were late in supplying products.
Question. Why was hand labour preferred in seasonal factories ?
Ans : In industries such as breweries and book binders, production was affected by the seasonal demands and changes. Hence, seasonal labours could be easily employed when the need arose. Moreover, as the supply of labour was high, it was easy to get such labourers and keep cost of production low.
Question. What happened as a result of cotton being exported from India ?
Ans : As cotton was being exported to England, the availability of cotton in Indian markets was affected. Weavers had to pay high rates to purchase raw cotton which most of the weavers could not afford.
Question. Why were wages low in England during eighteenth centuries ?
Ans : In England during the Victorian Age, there was no shortage of human labour. Unemployed people, farmers and vagrants often moved through the cities in search of work. So, the industrialists had an ample supply of labour and no problem of high wage cost.
Question. Bombay and calcutta grow as new trading port under colonial rule.
Ans. True
Question. Assertion : The cotton weavers of India flourished with the Manchester imports.
Reason : With the American Civl war, the cotton supplies from US to Britain declined.
(a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) If both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) If (A) is true and (R) is false.
(d) If (A) is false and (R) true.
Ans. (d) If (A) is false and (R) true.
Question. The fly shuttle was used for
(a) Washing
(b) Weaving
(c) Drying
(d) Sewing
Ans. (b) Weaving
Question. The paid servants of the East India company, appointed to keep a check on weavers were called ……….
Ans. Gomashtas
Question. Who usually helped Industrialists to get new recruits in their Industries ?
(a) Jobbers
(b) Weavers
(c) Koshtis
(d) Exporters
Ans. (a) Jobbers
Question. Elgin mill was set up in Madras.
Ans. False
Question. Image of Lord Krishna was commonly used to popularise boby products.
Ans. True
Question. Assertion : When Manchester Industrialists began selling cloth in India, they put labels on the cloth bundles.
Reason : The label was a mark of quality when buyers saw ‘made in Manchester’ written in bold on the label, they were expected to feel confident about buying the cloth.
(a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explantation of (A).
(b) If both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explantation of (A).
(c) If (A) is true and (R) is false.
(d) If (A) is false and (R) true.
Ans. (a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explantation of (A).
Question. The work of the fuller was to gather cloth.
Ans. True
Question. Assertion : The consolidation of East India company power after the 1760’s did not initially lead to a decline in textile exports from India.
Reason : British cotton industries had not yet expanded and Indian fine textiles were in great demand in Europe.
(a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) If both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) If (A) is true and (R) is false.
(d) If (A) is false and (R) true.
Ans. (a) If both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
THREE MARKS QUESTIONS
Question. Why was East India Company keen on expanding textile exports from India during the 1760s? Explain any three reasons.
Ans : Even after the consolidation of the East India Company’s power after the 1760s the Company was willing to expand the textile exports from India because of the following reasons:-
a. First, the cotton industries had not yet expanded hi Britain.
b. Second, great demand of the Indian fine textiles in Europe.
c. Earlier, due to the number of buyers of the woven cloth in the Indian market, Britain found difficulties in supply and also the supply merchants and the weavers could bargain and sell it to their best buyers. But after establishing political power in Bengal and Carnatic and the monopoly right to trade, Britain developed systems to control and eliminate the competition. The Company took direct control over the weavers through gomastha who were paid servants appointed by the Company to supervise weavers, collect supplies and check the quality of the cloth.
Question. Explain any three problems faced by the Indian weavers in 1850s.
or
Explain any three problems faced by Indian cotton weavers by the turn of the nineteenth century.
Ans : The three problems faced by the Indian cotton weavers:
a. Their export market collapsed and the local market shrunk.
b. Indian market flooded with Manchester imports. c. Thus the Indian weavers could not compete
with the mill-made products as they were much cheaper and also they were not getting supply of good quality raw cotton.
Question. How did many Indian entrepreneurs survive despite tight economic controls imposed by the British government?
Ans : Many Indian entrepreneurs survived despite tight economic controls imposed by the British government due to the following reasons:
a. The Indian entrepreneurs did not want to compete with the Manchester goods therefore they produced cotton yarn rather than fabric which was either used by the Indian handloom weavers or exported to China.
b. During the Swadeshi Movement the people boycotted the foreign clothes.
c. The Indian industrial groups organized themselves and pressurized the government to increase tariff protection and for granting other concessions.
Question. Explain the effects of East India Company’s exploitative methods of asserting monopoly over trade.
Ans : The effects of East India Company’s exploitative methods of asserting monopoly over trade were as follows:
a. Many villagers refused taking loans and advances for doing the production.
b. They closed down their workshops and shifted back to agriculture work.
c. Some of them migrated to other villages to set up their looms.
Question. Describe any three functions of gomasthas.
Ans : The three functions of gomasthas were:
a. Gomasthas were paid servants appointed by the company to supervise weavers, collect supplies and check the quality of the cloth.
b. The weavers were given loans to buy the raw materials and were made bound to supply it the gomastha only.
c. Gomasthas acted arrogantly and often beat them for the delay in supply.
Question. Mention any three restrictions imposed by the British government on the Indian merchants in 19th century.
Ans : The three restrictions imposed by the British government upon the Indian merchants in 19th century were:
a. After establishing political power in Bengal and Carnatic and the monopoly right to trade, Britain developed systems to control and eliminate the competition.
b. The Company took the direct control over the weavers through gomastha who were paid servants appointed by the Company to supervise weavers, collect supplies and check the quality of the cloth.
c. By the end of the First World War a large sector of the Indian industries were under the control of the three biggest European managing agencies called Bird Heiglers and Company, Andrew Yule and Jardine Skinner and Company. But mostly the finance was done by the Indian people whereas the investment and business decisions were taken by the European agencies and also the Indian businessmen were not allowed to join the chamber of commerce of the European merchants- industrialists.
Question. Why did the East India Company appoint gomasthas? Give three reasons.
Ans : The three reasons behind the appointment of gomasthas by the East India Company were:
a. Earlier due to the number of buyers of the woven cloth in the Indian market Britain found difficulties in supply and also the supply merchants and the weavers could bargain and sell it to their best buyers. But after establishing political power in Bengal and Carnatic and the monopoly right to trade Britain developed systems to control and eliminate the competition.
b. The company took the direct control over the weavers through gomastha who were paid servants appointed by the company to supervise weavers, collect supplies and check the quality of the cloth.
c. The Company also prevented the weavers from supplying the cloth to any other buyer. This prevention was done through the system of advances. The weavers were given loans to buy the raw materials and were made bound to supply it the gomastha only.
Question. Why was it difficult for East India Company to produce regular supplies of goods for export in the beginning? Explain.
Ans : Due to the following reasons the East India Company was facing difficulty to produce regular supplies of goods for export in the beginning:
a. There were number of trading companies in India such as French, Dutch and Portuguese who were competing for the woven cloth from the Indian weavers and merchants.
b. Due to the heavy competition and demand of the woven cloth, the Indian weavers and the supply merchants were keeping the prices high which was not profitable for the East India Company.
c. The East India Company did not had any exclusive trading rights or monopoly over trade in India.
Question. “Historians now have to increasingly recognize that the typical worker in the mid-nineteenth century was not a machine operator but the traditional craftsperson and labourer.” Analyse the statement.
Ans : The new industries were not able to displace the traditional industries. This can be proved with the fact that till the end of the 19th century less than 20% of the workforce were engaged in the technologically advanced industries and a large portion of the output was produced within the domestic units.
Food processing, building, pottery, glass work etc. were the non-mechanized sectors in which the changes were ordinary with small innovations.
The technological changes occurred very slowly because the new technology was very costly. The merchants and industrialists were highly cautious for its use as the machines often broke down and its repair was too expensive. These machines were not as effective as it was claimed by the investors and the manufacturers.
Question. Explain any three reasons for the clashes between the weavers and the gomasthas.
Ans : The three reasons for the clashes between the weavers and the gomasthas were:
a. Earlier the weavers dealt with the supply merchants who lived within the weaving villages and had a close link with the weavers whereas the gomasthas were outsiders who had no social link with the weavers.
b. The supply merchants were looking after the needs of the weavers whereas the gomasthas acted arrogantly and often beat them for the delay in supply.
c. Due to the new system of gomastha the weavers lost the space to bargain, could not sell to other buyers, the price for the cloth received from the Company was very low and the loans which they received from the company tied them with the company itself.
Question. Why did the industrial production in India increase during the First World War? Give any three reasons.
Ans : The three reasons for the increase of the industrial production in India during the First World War were: a. Indian mills regained the domestic market as the British mills were busy with the war needs production.
b. The Manchester imports declined in India.
c. Due to the prolonged war Indian factories got an opportunity to produce for the war needs, many new factories were set up, the old factories ran multiple shifts, demands for workers increased.
Question. Why did East India Company employ Gomashtas ?
Ans. 1. They gave loan to weavers.
2. Thus prevented them dealing with the buyers.
3. They themselves checked the quality of cloth.
Question. What were the reasons for increase in production during WWI ?
Ans. 1. To meet war requirements new industries were established
2. To produce for uniforms, shoes, tents.
3. New workers were employed and working hours were increased.
Question. How did increase Labour affect lines of workers ?
Ans. 1. The lure of better jobs prospects attracted them to cities.
2. Workers whose relations already were employed got jobs
3. Those who did not have any relation friends waited for weeks and spend nights under bridges, night shelters.
Question. What were the reasons for great economic depression of 1930 ?
Ans. 1. Export declined after World War First.
2. America capitalist stopped giving loans to European Countries.
3. Overproduction in agriculture.
4. Mechanisation of Industries.
Question. How did British manufactures captured Indian market through advertisement ?
Ans. 1. Calenders, Newspapers and Magazines were used to sell products.
2. Pictures of Indian Gods and goddess appeared on labels.
3. It was intended to make the manufacture from a foreign land appear somewhat familiar to Indian people.
FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS
Question. Explain any five ways by which new markets and consumers were created in India by British manufacturers.
Ans : The five ways by which new markets and consumers were created in India by British manufacturers were:
a. The Manchester industrialists put labels (Made in Manchester) on the bundles of the cloth for the following purposes – to make the place of manufacture and the name of the company known to buyers, for a mark of quality and to make the buyers feel confident about the product.
b. These labels carried the words, texts, images and beautiful illustrations which gives some idea about the mind of the manufacturers, their calculations and the way they approach the buyers.
c. Initially the images of gods and goddesses like Krishna and Saraswati appeared on the labels for making the buyers convinced that there is divine approval to sell these products.
d. In order to make the products more popular the products were printed in the newspapers,, magazines and the most important on the calendars.
e. The calendars became the most popular due to the following reasons – used even by the illiterates and poor, hung in tea shops, hung in homes which they see day after day through the year.
f. The figures of important personages, emperors and Nawabs were also used in the advertisements and calendars to expand the market of the product. These figures gave the message that this product is used by the royalty and hence it is of good quality and also if you respect these figures then give due respect to the product also,
g. The Indian manufactures used the figures of the nationalists on the products and passed the message that if you love your nation then buy the Indian products.
Question. “By the first decade of the twentieth century a series of changes affected the pattern of industrialisation in India.” Support the statement with examples.
Ans :
During the Swadeshi Movement the people boycotted the foreign clothes, and the Indian industrial groups organized themselves and pressurized the government to increase tariff protection and for granting other concessions.
Again the Indian industrialists shifted from the yarn production to cloth production because the Indian yarn export declined in China as the Chinese and Japanese mills became plenty in China.
Effects of the First World War on the Indian Industries – Indian mills regained the domestic market as the British mills were busy with the war- needs production and also the Manchester imports declined in India. Due to the prolonged war, Indian factories got an opportunity to produce for the war needs. Many new factories were set up, the old factories ran multiple shifts, demands for workers increased. Workers had to work for long hours. Due to the huge economic loss in the war, Britain could not regain its dominance over the export and thus the local industries consolidated their position in the home market.
Question. Throw light on production during the proto- industrialisation phase in Europe in the 17th and 18th century with an example.
or
What was proto industrialisation? Explain the importance of proto-industrialisation.
or
Explain the main features of proto-industrialisation.
Ans : The history of industrialisation began with the setting up of the first factories but there was large scale industrial production in England and Europe which the historians refer as proto-industrialisation.
The main features of proto-industrialisation were:
a. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the world trade and the colonies expanded which increased the demands of goods. The merchants were not able to cope up within towns because of the powerful urban crafts and trade guilds and therefore they moved to the countryside to persuade the peasants and artisans to produce for the international market and also supplied money to them.
b. These trade guilds restricted the entry , of the new people into the trade because ‘ monopoly rights were granted to them to produce and trade in specific products. This situation made the new merchants difficult to set up their business units in towns.
c. The poor peasants and artisans eagerly agreed to take the advance offered by the merchants and were willing to produce goods for them.
d. During this time in the countryside the open fields were disappearing and commons were being enclosed. The cottagers and peasants were looking for alternative source of income because they were dependent on the common lands and gathering of firewood, vegetables, berries, vegetables, hay and straw for their livelihood. Many of them had small plots of land which was not sufficient to provide work to all the family members.
e. During this period London came to be known as the Finishing Centre because the finishing work of the cloth was done in London before it is exported in the international market.
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS
Question. Vasant Parkar, who was once a millworker in Bombay, said : ‘The workers would pay the jobbers money to get their sons work in the mill … The mill worker was closely associated with his village, physically and emotionally. He would go home to cut the harvest and for sowing. The Konkani would go home to cut the paddy and the Ghati, the sugarcane. It was an accepted practice for which the mills granted leave.’
Meena Menon and Neera Adarkar, One Hundred Years : One Hundred Voices, 2004.
(i) Who were Jobbers ?
Ans. Jobber was often an old and trusted worker of factory.
(ii) Why Would workers Pay Jobbers ?
Ans. To get jobs in factories.
(iii) What was the social position of Jollers ?
Ans. Jobber was a very influertial person in society.
(iv) From where did the workers come to workein Early.
Ans. Workers came from nearby villages.
