Class 10 Social Science - WEST-BENGAL
History: The Age of Industrialisation
The chapter 'History: The Age of Industrialisation' for Class 10 WBBSE explores how Britain became the first industrial nation and the profound impact of machine-based production on the world. It covers proto-industrialization, the coming up of factories, the role of steam power, and the peculiarities of industrial growth in India, particularly how British manufactures devastated Indian weavers and handloom industries. This chapter is vital for board exams as it tests students' understanding of global economic history, colonialism's impact on local artisans, and the transition from hand-made to machine-made goods.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Proto-Industrialisation
A phase of industrialization before factories existed, where large-scale industrial production for an international market was carried out in the countryside by peasants and artisans.
Gomasthas
Paid servants appointed by the East India Company to supervise weavers, collect supplies, and examine the quality of cloth in India.
Spinning Jenny
A machine devised by James Hargreaves in 1764 that sped up the spinning process and reduced labor demand, causing anger among traditional hand-spinners.
Cartwright's Power Loom
Introduced in the 1780s, this steam-powered weaving machine allowed factory owners to oversee production more efficiently and increased cloth output.
Jobber
A trusted old worker employed by industrialists in India to recruit new workers from his village, often demanding money and gifts in return.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) Class 10 History exam, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions usually include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Very Short Answer type questions (VSAQs), Short Answer type questions (2-3 marks), and Analytical Long Answer questions (5 marks) focusing on the decline of Indian handicrafts or the characteristics of early industrialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did industrial production in Britain increase after the 1740s?
It increased due to the expansion of trade, the acquisition of colonies, and the development of new inventions like the cotton mill, steam engine, and spinning jenny.
How did the East India Company establish a monopoly over Indian textiles?
The Company eliminated competing traders, controlled the weavers through advances, and appointed paid agents called gomasthas to supervise production directly.
Why did industrialists in Victorian Britain prefer manual labor over machines in some industries?
Machines were expensive, prone to breaking down, and required costly repairs. Manual labor was abundant and cheap, especially for seasonal industries that needed variable hand skills.
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