Question

Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT By the first decade of the twentieth century a series of changes affected the pattern of industrialisation in India. As the swadeshi movement gathered momentum, nationalists mobilised people to boycott foreign cloth. Industrial groups organised themselves to protect their collective interests, pressurising the government to increase tariff protection and grant other concessions. From 1906, moreover, the export of Indian yam to China declined since produce from Chinese and Japanese mills flooded the Chinese market. So industrialists in India began shifting from yam to cloth production. Cotton piece goods production in India doubled between 1900 and 1912. Yet, till the First World War, industrial growth was slow. The war created a dramatically new situation. With British mills busy with war production to meet the needs of the army, Manchester imports into India declined. Suddenly, Indian mills had. a vast home market to supply. As the war prolonged, Indian factories were called upon to supply war needs: jute bags, cloth for army uniforms, tents and leather boots, horse and mule saddles and a host of other items. New factories were set up and old ones ran multiple shifts. Many new workers were employed and everyone was made to work longer hours. Over the war years industrial production boomed.

1. What was the Swadeshi Movement?
2. Why did the Cotton piece goods production in India double between 1900 to 1912? 
3. Explain any two events that helped India to regain its market.

Answer 1

1. Using products and services from one's own country is referred to as swadeshi. A movement for national independence in India encouraged the use of locally produced goods like khadi while advocating a boycott of imported clothing. Additionally, it encouraged widespread protests where a sizable crowd gathered to raise awareness and call for swaraj.
2. Since 1906, less Indian yam was exported to China as the Chinese market was overrun with goods from Chinese and Japanese mills. Therefore, Indian industrialists started switching from yam to cloth production. India's production of cotton piece goods increased by twofold between 1900 and 1912 as a result.
3. 1. First World War (1914-919): An entirely new situation was brought about by the war. Manchester imports into India decreased as British mills were occupied producing goods for the army during the war. Indian textile mills had a sizable domestic market to serve.
   2. Swadeshi Movement: Nationalists encouraged people to shun foreign clothing as the Swadeshi Movement gained traction. Industrial organisations banded together to protect their common interests, putting pressure on the government to tighten regulations and make other concessions.