Question

Write short notes.

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

Answer 1

• In England, the atmosphere was suitable for the industrial revolution. Large amounts of iron ore and coal were available.
• The humid climate of England was suitable for producing cotton yarn.
• With these favourable conditions, the textile industry flourished in England.
• At that time England had established their colonies in many countries.
• So, England could easily obtain large quantities of essential raw material at cheap rates from their colonies.
• England could also export the processed goods to the colonies and sell them there with large profit margins using their navy.
• The profit earned in the colonies made large amounts of capital available to the British merchants.
• The availability of cheap labour made it possible for them to maintain the optimum level of costs.
• These factors giving a boost to the economy prepared favorable ground for the onset of the industrial revolution in England.
• The industrial revolution, however, affected India adversely. It set the decline of the Indian cottage industry.
• The textile industry in India almost came to a halt.
• The administrative policies of the East India Company were made to benefit the British than the Indians.
• Railways made it possible to transport European goods to rural areas for sale. It turned into monetary exploitation of the Indians.