Before the Industrial Revolution
* The early industrialization phase was also known as proto industrialization.
* In proto industrial times, most workers worked from their homes and not in factories.
* The invention of the cloth mill by Richard Arkwright brought about a revolution in cloth production.
* Even at the end of the 19th century, most textile production happened through domestic units.
* Industrialists were hesitant to use new technology due to its high repair and maintenance cost.
Hand Labour and New Technology
* During the 19th century, many people migrated to the industrial centres in search of jobs.
* The owners of seasonal industries preferred to hire manual labour for a short period rather than installing machines.
* In Britain, people who wanted to become labourer had to live in miserable conditions.
* During the 19th century, wages increased slightly, but their real value remained low due to the consequent price rise.
* Construction work for railways, road widening, drainage and sewers created new job opportunities.
Industrialisation in Colonies
* With the rise of European companies, the textile trade network suffered a gradual decline.
* The East India Company developed a system of management and control.
* The company appointed a paid servant, called the Gomastha, who supervised the weavers, collected their produce and examined the quality of cloth.
* With the arrival of goods from Manchester, the weaver faced stiff competition in the local markets.
* During the US Civil War, Britain turned to India for raw cotton which led to an increase in cotton prices.
Factories in India
* Indians got involved in the British China trade by providing finance, procuring supplies and shipping consignments.
* After making money from the China trade, some Indians set up their own industries.
* The stringent policies of the British government restricted the trade of Indian merchants.
* European managing agencies were given the task of controlling Indian industries.
* Despite all odds, factories in India multiplied in the second half of the 19th century.
* The factories opened new avenues of employment by hiring people as labourers.
Marketing and Industrial Growth
* British manufacturers used effective advertisements to create a positive image of their product and boost sales.
* During the World War I supply of Manchester goods declined so Indian industries got a chance to expand in India as well as produce goods for the British army.
* After the war Manchester could not regain its position in the Indian market.
* The handloom cloth production increased in the 20th century due to the use of looms with fly shuttles.
* After World War I, many factories grew in India but most labour forces worked out of small household units in the villages.