International Relations: A Cotton Spinner Under British Raj in India

This essay delves into the life of a cotton spinner in India during the British Raj, examining the historical context of the cotton and textile industry. It explores the impact of British policies, such as the East India Company's trade practices, on Indian artisans and the local economy. The narrative highlights the spinner's personal experiences, including the loss of traditional livelihoods and the struggle for independence. It also discusses the Swadeshi movement and its impact on the spinner's life, leading to a revival of the cotton industry and a renewed sense of pride. The essay concludes by reflecting on the legacy of the textile revolution and the enduring value of Indian fabrics and designs in the modern world. It emphasizes the cultural and artistic significance of cotton spinning and its contribution to India's heritage.

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 1
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 2
Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
History of cotton and textile industry in India:................................................................................3
Story of the Textile revolution that changes my life:......................................................................4
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................5
References:......................................................................................................................................5

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 3
Introduction:
Cotton is like fluffy and soft fibers which are grown in flax. The fiber is made up of pure
and unmixed cellulose. Cotton flaxes are grown from the cotton seeds. The cotton plants are
generally shrub plants which are mostly found in the subtropical and the tropical regions of the
world. Cotton plants are mostly found in America, Mexico, Australia, Egypt, and Africa and last
but not the least India. With this fiber thread or yarn has been made. This yarn is used to make
clothes, cotton fabrics and many more. America is the largest exporter in of cotton in this world
and India is the second. But for making quality cloths Indian kinds of cotton are perfect in such
case. Cotton threads were first used by the people of Indus valley civilization. Thus the use of
cotton in India is very common.
History of cotton and textile industry in India:
As we already discussed above that in India pieces of cotton are one of the very common
products which are generally used by common people. Generally, the kinds of cotton are by the
common people of the Indus valley civilization. Cotton plants are generally grown in the fertile
soil. We all know India is much enriched with their soil, culture, and art. Thus from the ancient
time period the people of India trading their cotton products among the other civilization of the
world. In India mostly, various types of kinds of cotton are found. Some of them are used to
make regular clothes for wearing and some of them are used to make the most expensive and
exclusive fabrics. At the time of British rule India was undivided. At that period of time, India
was very much famous for their muslins which actually belong to Dhaka. Only the Indian kinds

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 4
of cotton spinners have the quality to make muslins from the cotton flaxes. British East India
company wants to trade all of the products of India into their country as they are very
fascinating. We all know at the time of British raj India was the largest exporter of cotton and
spices to the European country. Indian clothes are quality products and very long lasting
moreover the design and fabrics were very fascinating. British want to capture all of the raw
materials from India and send them to their country. They make cheap quality products and force
the indian people to wear clothes which are made by them as they were very cheap quality,
machine made products. Most of our Indian clothes are made by own hands of the cotton
spinners. British selling their cheap quality products at a high price among the Indian people.
British never wanted our country grew up as an industrial country as the industry makes
employment and employment make a man independent. British wanted to control the whole
market of our country and wanted to see our country only as an agricultural country.
Story of the Textile revolution that changes my life:
The Indian people were very angry with the British men as they did not want them to
grow as an industrial country. The textile industry might be the first industries which are set up
in our country. I am a cotton spinner in India. I came across the journey of independence. Now I
have become a 90 years old man. Cotton spinning was my family tradition. I enjoyed doing this
as with the help of this I can live a life of my artistic self. This gives me more pleasure than
anything. But after the British came to India everything has changed. They seized our life, our
honor, our pride, our true self. It seems that my life became useless for myself. British took my
identity from me and forced me to be a farmer; a cotton farmer as all they wanted to send that
cotton to their country and make cheap clothes. This is not the end here they want to capture our
market with their clothes, foods also and selling them at a high price. I revolted against that

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 5
injustice, but all go in vain. I tried to get back my pride, my honor but nothing changed until
Mahatma Gandhiji leads us and shown us the actual path for claiming my actual birthright. After
the swadeshi movement takes place each and every Indian wanted to wear those clothes which
were actually made by their very own cotton spinners. This situation helped me to earn my pride
in my position in society all over again. By birth I am a cotton spinner, I have some roles to play
in the society and I wanted to acquire back that position. I had started to make clothes on pure
cotton, pure khadi, etc. at that time I felt like I am alive again. I felt like I am living my life with
honor and I also served the people of our country. This gave me so much happiness that I also
played a small role in the journey of the independence of our country.
Conclusion:
After the textile revolution in India many cotton mills had been made. Some of them are
still working with great market value. Now I am an owner of a cotton mill among those famous
mills. Khadi which are introduced in the time of Swadeshi Movement now become one of the
most desired brands all over the world. Nowadays people all over the world are crazy about
Indian fabrics, style, and designs as well. We all know India is always enriched with culture and
their various art forms. I have tried to mix and put all of those culture and art forms in my work.
References:

A cotton spinner under the British Raj in India 6
Akita, S., 2018. Intra-Asian Competition and Collaboration against the West: The NYK Bombay
Line, Tata & Sons, and Indian Cotton at the End of the Nineteenth Century. Asian Review
of World Histories, 6(2), pp.277-293.
Menon, M., 2017. A Frayed History: The Journey of Cotton in India. Oxford University Press.