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Chapter 4. The Age of Industrialisation

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Class 10 History – Chapter 4

The Age of Industrialisation

50 Quick Revision Points (English Medium)

1. Industrialisation refers to the growth of industries and large-scale machine production.

2. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century.

3. Before factories, goods were produced through the domestic system.

4. In the domestic system, merchants supplied raw materials to workers.

5. Workers produced goods in their homes using hand tools.

6. This system helped merchants control production.

7. The first symbol of the new industrial age was the cotton textile industry.

8. The invention of machines increased production speed.

9. Machines also improved the quality of goods.

10. The Spinning Jenny was an important invention in textile production.

11. Factories began to replace the domestic system.

12. Large numbers of workers were employed in factories.

13. Steam power played an important role in industrial growth.

14. James Watt improved the steam engine in the late 18th century.

15. Steam engines were used in factories, ships, and railways.

16. Industrialisation led to the growth of new towns and cities.

17. Workers migrated from villages to cities in search of jobs.

18. However, many workers feared machines.

19. They believed machines would replace human labour.

20. Some workers protested against machines.

21. The Luddite movement opposed the use of machines.

22. Luddites attacked factories and destroyed machines.

23. Industrialisation also changed social and economic conditions.

24. Some people became wealthy industrialists.

25. Many workers continued to live in poverty.

26. Industrialisation slowly spread to other countries.

27. By the early 19th century, Europe and America were also industrialising.

28. India was also affected by industrialisation under British rule.

29. Indian textile industries faced competition from British factories.

30. British machine-made goods flooded Indian markets.

31. Indian handicraft industries began to decline.

32. Many artisans lost their traditional jobs.

33. Indian weavers faced economic hardships.

34. However, some Indian industries later developed.

35. The cotton textile industry in Bombay (Mumbai) grew rapidly.

36. The jute industry developed mainly in Bengal.

37. Indian industrialists also started investing in factories.

38. Dwarkanath Tagore was one of the early Indian industrialists.

39. Later, industrialists like Jamsetji Tata played a major role.

40. They established modern industries in India.

41. Industrialisation also changed methods of production.

42. Advertising and branding became important for selling goods.

43. Manufacturers used labels and advertisements to attract buyers.

44. Printed advertisements increased consumer demand.

45. Markets expanded with industrial production.

46. Industrialisation created new job opportunities.

47. It also increased the gap between rich and poor.

48. Industrial growth continued in the 20th century.

49. Industrialisation transformed economic and social life.

50. It played a crucial role in shaping the modern industrial world.

Chapter 4. The Age of Industrialisation

NCERT Book Solutions

Write In brief : 

Q1. Explain the following:
a) Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny.
b) In the seventeenth century merchants from towns in Europe began employing
peasants and artisans within the villages.
c) The port of Surat declined by the end of the eighteenth century.
d) The East India Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers in India.

Answer: (a) Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny because, it could spin manmy spindles with one wheel. This increased the the productivity but also led to decrease in employment of women in the textile industries. Angry women, therefore, attacked the machine.

(b) (i) This was for supplying money to peasants and artisans, persuading them to produce for an international market.

(ii) With then expansion of world trade and acquisition of colonies in different parts of the world, the demand for goods began growing. But merchants could not expand production within towns because urban crafts and trade guilds were powerful.

(iii) These were associations of producers that trained craftspeople regulated competition and prices and restricted the entry of new people into the trade. 

(iv) It was difficult for new merchants to set up business in towns so, they turned to the countryside as the rulers hsd granted different guilds the monopoly rights to produce and trade in specific products.

(v) Therefore, in the countryside poor peasants and artisans began working happily for new merchants. 

(c) By the end of eighteenth century, port of Bombay was developed by the European colonies, Thus, as the latter controlled sea trade of export they didn't want to use the old Surat port. Therefore, the sea trade from Surat was declined by the end of eighteenth century.

(d) (i) The east India Company appointed a paid servant, called gomastha, to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth. 

(ii) Those weavers who took loans, had to hand over the cloth, they produced to the gomastha.

(iii) The weavers lost the space to bargain for prices and sell to different buyers.

(iv) The new gomansthas were outsiders. They acted arrongantly, marched into villages with sepoy and peons, and punish weavers for delays in supply.

(v) There were clashes between weavers and gomasthas in many weaving villages.

Q2. Write True or False against each statement:
a) At the end of the nineteenth century, 80 per cent of the total workforce in
Europe was employed in the technologically advanced industrial sector.
b) The international market for fine textiles was dominated by India till the
eighteenth century.
c) The American Civil War resulted in the reduction of cotton exports from India.
d) The introduction of the fly shuttle enabled handloom workers to improve their
productivity.

Answer: (a) False     (b) True      (c) False    (d) True.

Q3. Explain what is meant by proto-industrialisation.

Answer: Proto- industrailisation was the early phase of industrailisation in europe and england when there was large scale industryil productio for an international market. this was not based on factories .

Discuss: 

Q1. Why did some industrialists in nineteenth-century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?

Answer:(1) Industrialists had no problem of labour shortage or higt wage costs.

(2) In many industries , the demand for labaur was seasonal . gas works and    breweries were especially busy throught cold months. So, they needed more workers to meet their peak demand.

(3) Book binders and printed, catering to christmas demand, too, needed extra hands before December. All those industries where production fluctuated with the season, industrialists usually preffered hand labour by employing workers for the season. 

(4) A range of product could be produced only with hand labour.

(5) In Victorium Britain, the upper classes- the aristrocrates and the bourgeoisie- preffered things produced by hands. Hand made products came to symbolise refinement and class.   

Q2. How did the East India Company procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers?

Answer: (1) The East India had to face obstacles to procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers.

(2) The French, dutch, Portuguese as well as the local traders competed in the market. However, the East India company establish political power and assereted monopoly rights to trade.

(3) The company tried to eliminate existing traders and have direct control over the weaver and appointed a paid servent called gomastha to supervise and collect supplies.

(4) It prevented company weavers from dealing with other buyers. One way of doing it was through the system of advances.

(5) Those weavers who took loans, had to hand over the cloth they produced to the gomastha. They could not give it to any other trader.
Q3. Imagine that you have been asked to write an article for an encyclopaedia on Britain and the history of cotton. Write your piece using information from the entire chapter.

Answer: (1) Britain had successfully controlled and dominated the trade in cotton (raw material), cotton fabrics of coarser or finer varities.

(2) It had established markets all over its colonies for selling the Manchester made cotton textiles, at a cheaper rate.

(3) Britain had really found ways to make enormous profits from the trade in cotton.

(4) The East India Company indebted Indian weavers and supervised them with the help of gomasthas. This ensured regular supply of both handmade fine variety of cotton fabric as well as raw cotton.

(5) Within Britain, the industrial growth began with the development of cotton textiles mills, at various places.

      Hence, Britain, had enjoyed a good position in world economic history for more than five centuries due to the control of the cotton trade.
Q4. Why did industrial production in India increase during the First World War?

Answer: (1) British mills were busy with war production Manchestar imports into India declined.

(2) Indian mills had a vast home market to supply.

(3) As the war prolonged, Indian factories were called upon to supply war needs; jute bags, cloth for army uniform, tents and leather boots.

(4) New factories were set up and old ones ran in multiple shifts.

(5) Many new workers were employed and industrial production boomed.

Chapter 4. The Age of Industrialisation

Important Questions with Answers

Class 10 SST History Chapter 4 – The Age of Industrialisation

MCQ Questions and Answers

Q1. When did the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain?
A. 16th century
B. 17th century
C. 18th century
D. 20th century
Answer: C. 18th century

Q2. Who invented the Spinning Jenny?
A. James Watt
B. James Hargreaves
C. Richard Arkwright
D. Samuel Crompton
Answer: B. James Hargreaves

Q3. What was the main aim of industrialisation?
A. Increase agricultural production
B. Produce goods on a large scale
C. Reduce trade
D. Stop migration
Answer: B. Produce goods on a large scale

Q4. Which industry was the first to develop during industrialisation?
A. Iron industry
B. Textile industry
C. Steel industry
D. Chemical industry
Answer: B. Textile industry

Q5. What were guilds?
A. Groups of merchants and craftsmen
B. Government officers
C. Soldiers
D. Factory workers
Answer: A. Groups of merchants and craftsmen

Q6. Who invented the steam engine?
A. James Watt
B. Thomas Edison
C. Henry Ford
D. Alexander Graham Bell
Answer: A. James Watt

Q7. What was proto-industrialisation?
A. Early stage of industrialisation before factories
B. Industrialisation in cities
C. Industrialisation after machines
D. Modern industrial system
Answer: A. Early stage of industrialisation before factories

Q8. Which country was the first to industrialise?
A. Germany
B. Britain
C. France
D. USA
Answer: B. Britain

Q9. What were factories?
A. Places where goods were produced using machines
B. Farms
C. Markets
D. Schools
Answer: A. Places where goods were produced using machines

Q10. What was the effect of industrialisation on workers?
A. Increased unemployment initially
B. Reduced production
C. End of trade
D. End of factories
Answer: A. Increased unemployment initially

Q11. Which machine increased cotton production?
A. Steam engine
B. Spinning Jenny
C. Power loom
D. Printing press
Answer: B. Spinning Jenny

Q12. What did industrialisation promote?
A. Large scale production
B. Less production
C. Less trade
D. No machines
Answer: A. Large scale production

Q13. What was the role of merchants in proto-industrialisation?
A. They controlled production and supplied raw materials
B. They worked in factories
C. They worked as farmers
D. They built railways
Answer: A. They controlled production and supplied raw materials

Q14. What did industrialisation lead to?
A. Growth of cities
B. Decline of trade
C. Less production
D. End of markets
Answer: A. Growth of cities

Q15. What was the main source of power in early factories?
A. Electricity
B. Steam power
C. Solar power
D. Wind power
Answer: B. Steam power

Q16. Which group suffered most during early industrialisation?
A. Factory workers
B. Kings
C. Landlords
D. Traders
Answer: A. Factory workers

Q17. What was the main raw material for the textile industry?
A. Cotton
B. Wood
C. Coal
D. Iron
Answer: A. Cotton

Q18. Which invention improved weaving?
A. Power loom
B. Steam engine
C. Telegraph
D. Railway
Answer: A. Power loom

Q19. What was a major result of industrialisation?
A. Mass production of goods
B. End of industries
C. End of trade
D. Decrease in population
Answer: A. Mass production of goods

Q20. Industrialisation led to which economic change?
A. Expansion of markets
B. Decline of trade
C. End of business
D. End of machines
Answer: A. Expansion of markets

Very Short Questions and Answers

Q1. What is industrialisation?
Answer: Industrialisation is the process of producing goods using machines in factories.

Q2. Which country first experienced the Industrial Revolution?
Answer: Britain.

Q3. What were guilds?
Answer: Guilds were associations of merchants and craftsmen that controlled trade.

Q4. What is proto-industrialisation?
Answer: It was the early stage of industrial production before factories developed.

Q5. Who invented the Spinning Jenny?
Answer: James Hargreaves.

Q6. What was the main industry during early industrialisation?
Answer: Textile industry.

Q7. What powered early factories?
Answer: Steam power.

Q8. What did factories produce?
Answer: Goods on a large scale.

Q9. What was the effect of industrialisation on cities?
Answer: It led to the growth of cities.

Q10. What did industrialisation increase?
Answer: Mass production of goods.

HOT and Important Questions with Answers

Q1. Explain the meaning of proto-industrialisation.
Answer: Proto-industrialisation refers to the phase of industrial development before factories appeared. In this system merchants supplied raw materials to rural workers who produced goods at home.

Q2. Why did merchants turn to the countryside for production?
Answer: Merchants turned to rural areas because guilds restricted production in towns and rural labour was cheaper and easily available.

Q3. How did the Industrial Revolution change production?
Answer: Production shifted from small household units to large factories using machines and steam power.

Q4. Why were new technologies important for industrialisation?
Answer: New machines increased speed, efficiency and the quantity of production.

Q5. What problems did workers face in factories?
Answer: Workers faced long working hours, low wages and unsafe working conditions.

Q6. Why did industrialisation lead to urbanisation?
Answer: People moved to cities in search of factory jobs.

Q7. What role did cotton play in industrialisation?
Answer: Cotton was the main raw material for the textile industry and helped expand factory production.

Q8. Why did industrialists advertise their products?
Answer: They used advertisements to attract customers and increase demand.

Q9. How did machines affect traditional craftsmen?
Answer: Many traditional craftsmen lost their jobs because machines produced goods faster and cheaper.

5–6 Marks Important Questions – The Age of Industrialisation

Q1. Explain the concept of proto-industrialisation.
Answer:

1. Proto-industrialisation refers to the stage of industrial development before factories appeared.
2. Merchants supplied raw materials to rural households.
3. Workers produced goods at home using simple tools.
4. This system developed mainly in villages.
5. It helped increase production for international markets.

Q2. Why did merchants turn to the countryside for production?
Answer:

1. Guilds in towns controlled production and restricted expansion.
2. Merchants could not increase production in towns easily.
3. In villages, labour was cheap and easily available.
4. Peasants needed additional income during agricultural off-season.
5. Therefore merchants started rural production.

Q3. Explain the impact of industrialisation on workers.
Answer:

1. Many workers migrated to cities in search of jobs.
2. Factory work involved long working hours.
3. Workers were paid very low wages.
4. Working conditions were often unsafe.
5. Women and children were also employed in factories.

Q4. Why was the textile industry important during the Industrial Revolution?
Answer:

1. The textile industry was the first industry to industrialise.
2. New machines like the Spinning Jenny increased yarn production.
3. Power looms improved weaving.
4. Cotton was easily available as raw material.
5. Textile goods were widely demanded in global markets.

Q5. How did technological changes help industrialisation?
Answer:

1. New machines increased production speed.
2. Steam engines provided a powerful energy source.
3. Railways and steamships improved transportation.
4. Factories could produce goods on a large scale.
5. These innovations reduced production costs.

Q6. Explain the role of advertisements in industrialisation.
Answer:

1. Industrialists used advertisements to attract customers.
2. Advertisements helped increase demand for new products.
3. They created brand names and product identities.
4. Posters and newspapers were used for promotion.
5. This helped expand markets for manufactured goods.

Q7. How did industrialisation lead to the growth of cities?
Answer:

1. Factories were mainly established in urban areas.
2. People migrated to cities for employment.
3. Urban populations increased rapidly.
4. New housing and infrastructure developed.
5. Cities became important centres of industry and trade.

Q8. What problems did industrial workers face in factories?
Answer:

1. Workers had to work for long hours.
2. Wages were very low.
3. Working conditions were unsafe.
4. Child labour was common.
5. Workers had little job security.

Q9. Why did machines not completely replace hand labour?
Answer:

1. Machines were expensive to install.
2. Some industries still needed skilled hand labour.
3. Small producers continued traditional methods.
4. Many goods required handmade finishing.
5. Therefore hand labour remained important.

Q10. Explain the overall impact of industrialisation.
Answer:

1. Industrialisation increased large-scale production.
2. It expanded national and international markets.
3. It created new employment opportunities.
4. It promoted technological development.
5. It transformed economic and social life.

Q10. What was the overall impact of industrialisation?
Answer: It increased production, expanded markets and transformed the global economy.