The Industrial Revolution in Britain, beginning in the 18th century, transformed the country into an economic powerhouse. However, this progress came at the expense of India’s local industries, which faced stagnation due to the influx of cheap British goods and exploitative colonial policies.

Industrial revolution in Britain as responsible for decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in india

1. Cheap industrial goods: mass production of factory made textiles which were cheaper and are of higher quality, flooded the Indian market, making it difficult for Indian handmade textiles to compete. Eg. Famous Dacca muslin suffered heavily due to cheap British textiles flooded Indian markets.
2. Import of British goods favored due to British policies like high tariff on Indian made goods in England while there is duty free trade of British good into india.
3. Destruction of Traditional Economy: Indian weavers, artisans, and craftsmen lost their livelihoods as their traditional industries declined, leading to the collapse of the Indian cottage industries. eg. Indian silk and cotton made goods production hampered by British machine made products.
4. Shift in consumer preferences: as mass produced goods are available consumer preference shifted. Many people began to prefer the lower-priced, uniform products from factories over the unique but more expensive handicrafts.
5. Disruption of Traditional Skills: The rise of industrial production undermined traditional skills and practices. Artisans who relied on their crafts for livelihood found it increasingly difficult to maintain their trades in the face of industrial competition.

Other factors responsible for decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India

1. Introduction of railways facilitated movement of British manufactured goods into rural markets, making these products more accessible and affordable than locally produced handicrafts. Historian Bipan Chandra noted that railways helped integrate colonial economies, often to the detriment of local industries.
2. Absence of Industrial Protection Policies: Unlike countries such as Germany and the United States, which implemented protectionist tariffs to nurture domestic industries, India under British rule lacked such policies. This absence left local artisans vulnerable to foreign competition.
3. Economic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji noted British exploitation of Indian resources had devastating effects on local industries. The enforced cultivation of cash crops, such as indigo in Bengal, redirected land and resources away from traditional agriculture and handicrafts, undermining local economies.
4. Effect of famines: British economic policies worsened famines like the Bengal Famine of 1770, causing millions to starve and local economies to collapse. Mahatma Gandhi argued that these famines stemmed from exploitative practices, devastating local industries and artisans.
5. Decline of Traditional Patronage: Historian Irfan Habib noted that the weakening of traditional power structures left many artisans without royal patronage and financial support, resulting in the deterioration of their crafts and skills.
6. Lack of Technological Advancement in India: The technological gap between British industries and Indian handicrafts was significant. The introduction of power looms and spinning jennies in British factories enabled mass textile production, which artisans could not compete with.

Efforts by nationalist and freedom fighter for revival of industries

1. Economic nationalism: Eg. swadeshi is used as symbol against oppression in Swadeshi Movement(1906) And Non Cooperation Movement(1921).
2. Educational initiatives – Eg. Tagore founded Shantiniketan in 1901.
3. Cottage Industries Movement: Eg. The All India Spinners’ Association, formed in 1938.

Although the Industrial Revolution in England hindered the growth of traditional industries in India, textile sector today contributes 2.3 % to the country’s GDP, 13% to industrial production and 12% to exports.