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Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 4 Summary Notes PDF Download
Vedantu’s notes on "The Age of Industrialisation" offer a clear and concise overview of this important historical chapter. These notes cover key topics such as the rise of industries, the effects of industrialisation on society and the economy, and the transformation of various sectors during this period.
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By using Vedantu’s notes, you can quickly review essential points and understand how industrialisation shaped the modern world. By providing a summary and analysis, Vedantu makes it easier for students to see the lessons and ideas in the Class 10 History Revision Notes. Students can download the Class 10 History Chapter 4 Notes PDF, making it simple to study and review whenever they need with the updated CBSE History Class 10 Syllabus.
The Age of Industrialisation Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 4 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
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FAQs on The Age of Industrialisation Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 4 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
1. What is the key concept of 'proto-industrialisation' as explained in the revision notes for The Age of Industrialisation?
Proto-industrialisation refers to the phase of large-scale industrial production for an international market that occurred before the establishment of modern factories. During this period, merchants in towns supplied money to peasants and artisans in the countryside to produce goods. This system was part of a network of commercial exchanges, controlled by merchants, with the work done by rural families.
2. How did the abundance of labour in Victorian Britain affect the adoption of new technology?
In Victorian Britain, the large supply of available workers meant that labour was cheap. Industrialists had little incentive to invest in expensive machinery that required large capital investment and often broke down. They preferred to rely on the cheaper and more flexible hand labour, which slowed down the pace of technological adoption in many industries like gas works, breweries, and book-binding.
3. Why was the overall pace of industrial change in Britain not as rapid as is often portrayed?
The pace of industrial change was not as rapid because:
- New industries like cotton and metals could not easily displace traditional industries. By the end of the 19th century, less than 20% of the workforce was employed in technologically advanced sectors.
- Technological changes occurred slowly as new machines were expensive and their effectiveness was often unproven.
- Traditional industries, such as food processing, building, and textiles, continued to thrive with small, simple innovations rather than large-scale mechanisation.
4. What key strategies did British manufacturers use to create a market for their goods in India?
British manufacturers used several strategies to sell their goods in India. A primary method was advertisement through labels on cloth bundles. These labels often featured images of Indian gods and goddesses, like Krishna or Saraswati, to make the products seem familiar and give them a divine approval. They also used images of royalty or labels with 'Made in Manchester' to convey quality and build consumer trust.
5. How did Indian handloom cloth production survive despite competition from mills in the early 20th century?
Indian handloom production survived and even expanded because weavers adapted. They began using new technologies like the fly shuttle, which increased productivity. More importantly, mills could not imitate the specialised weaves and intricate designs of traditional Indian textiles, such as the sarees with woven borders or the famous lungis of Madras. This ensured a steady demand for handloom products among the middle and upper classes.
6. Why did some 19th-century industrialists prefer hand labour over new machines?
Many industrialists preferred hand labour for several key reasons. Firstly, machines required a significant capital investment, while labour was cheap and abundant. Secondly, many industries had seasonal demand, and it was easier to hire and fire workers than to invest in machinery that would sit idle. Lastly, a wide range of products, especially those with intricate designs or specific shapes, could only be produced by skilled human hands, as machines were not yet advanced enough to replicate that level of detail.
7. Who were the early Indian entrepreneurs, and how did they accumulate capital for industry?
Early Indian entrepreneurs came from various communities that were already involved in trade. For instance, Dwarkanath Tagore in Bengal accumulated wealth through trade with China. In Bombay, Parsis like Dinshaw Petit and Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata built huge industrial empires from their profits in cotton and opium exports to China. Similarly, Seth Hukumchand, a Marwari businessman, set up the first Indian jute mill in Calcutta, having earned his capital through trade.
8. What was the specific role of a 'jobber' in Indian industries and why did they become powerful figures?
A 'jobber' was an old, trusted worker employed by industrialists to recruit new workers. They became powerful because they sourced labour from their own villages, ensuring a steady supply. They often helped workers settle in the city, provided money in times of crisis, and found them jobs. This authority made them influential figures, and some began demanding money and gifts for their favours, thus controlling the lives of the workers.
9. How did the expansion of railways in the colonies uniquely benefit British industries over Indian ones?
The expansion of railways served British industrial interests primarily. It facilitated the transport of cheap, machine-made goods from Manchester into the Indian interiors, destroying local markets for Indian weavers. Simultaneously, the railways were used to transport raw materials like raw cotton from Indian farms to the ports for export to Britain. This created a cycle where India became a supplier of raw materials and a market for finished goods, stunting its own industrial growth while fuelling Britain's.
10. For a quick revision, what are the main differences between industrialisation in Britain and India?
The main differences are:
- Origin: Industrialisation in Britain was a natural outcome of technological innovation and trade, whereas in India, it was shaped by colonial policies.
- Key Industries: In Britain, the leading sectors were cotton textiles and later, iron and steel. In colonial India, early industries were limited, and growth was primarily in sectors that didn't directly compete with British goods, like cotton yarn.
- Market Dynamics: British industry catered to a global market. Indian industry faced stiff competition from cheap British imports and was largely confined to producing lower-count yarn and goods for a domestic, non-competing market.
