Indian Textiles in European Markets


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Indian Textiles in European Markets

Indian textiles in European markets: Worried by the popularity of Indian textiles Wool and silk makers in England began protesting against the import of Indian cotton textiles. In 1720, the British government enacted a legislation banning the use of printed cotton textiles – chintz- in England. This act was known as the calico Act. 

following points about calico act:

  • When the Portuguese first came in to India in search of spices , they landed in Calicut on the Kerala coast in South - west India.
  • The cotton textiles which they took back to Europe , along with the spices, came to be called as " calico" ( derived from calicut), and subsequently , calico became the general name for all cotton textiles.
  • By the early 18th century , worried by the popularity of Indian textiles , wool and silk makers in England began protesting against the import of Indian cotton textiles.
  • IN 1720, the British government enacted a legislation banning the use of printed cotton textiles- Chintz in England . This act was known as the Calico Act.
  • Unable to compete with Indian textiles, English producers wanted a secure market within the country by preventing the entry of Indian textiles. The first to grow under government protection was the calico printing industry. Indian designs were now imitated and printed in England on white muslin(light weight cotton cloth ) or plain unbleached Indian cloth. Competition with Indian textiles also led to a search for technological innovation in England.

    The two technological innovations which revolutionized cotton production:

  • In 1764, the spinning jenny was invented by John Kaye which increased the productivity of the traditional spindles.
  • The invention of the steam engine by Richard Arkwright in 1786 revolutionized cotton textile weaving.
  • The European companies trade with India

  • Cloth could now be woven in immense quantities and cheaply too. European trading companies – the Dutch, the French and the English – made enormous profits out of the flourishing trade.
  • These companies purchased cotton and silk textiles in India by importing silver.
  • When the English east India Company gained political power in Bengal, it no longer had to import precious metal to buy Indian goods. Instead, they collected revenues peasants and zamindars in India, and used this revenue to buy Indian textiles.
  • A SEA VIEW OF THE DUTCH SETTLEMENT IN COCHIN, 17TH CENTURY

     
     


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