Extra 30 short-answer questions from the chapter "The Age of Industrialisation" for Class 10 CBSE History:
1-10: Pre-Industrialization and Early Industrial Growth
What was the condition of industries before the Industrial Revolution?
➤
Answer:
Before the Industrial Revolution, most industries were based on
handicrafts and small-scale production
in homes or workshops. The
cottage industry
and
guilds
controlled
production.
What were guilds?
➤
Answer:
Guilds were
associations of craftsmen and traders
that regulated
quality, wages, and prices
of goods. They controlled trade before industrialization.
Why did merchants turn to the countryside for production in the 18th century?
➤
Answer:
Urban guilds restricted expansion
of trade.
Cheap
labour
was available in villages.
Merchants could
control production
and reduce costs.
What was the Spinning Jenny?
➤
Answer:
The
Spinning Jenny
was an invention by
James Hargreaves (1764)
that allowed a
single worker to spin multiple threads at once
, increasing productivity in textile industries.
How did steam power revolutionize industries?
➤
Answer:
Increased production speed
in factories.
Machines replaced manual
labour
, reducing costs.
Enabled mass production
of goods.
Why did industrialization start in Britain?
➤
Answer:
Availability of coal and iron
.
Technological advancements
(steam engine, power loom).
Strong banking system
for investment.
What role did railways play in industrialization?
➤
Answer:
Helped
transport raw materials and finished goods
faster.
Expanded
markets and trade
.
Encouraged
urbanization
and industrial growth.
Why were factories initially opposed by some people?
➤
Answer:
Workers feared job loss
due to machines.
Handloom weavers and artisans
suffered.
Poor working conditions
in early factories.
How did industrialization change the social structure?
➤
Answer:
Growth of the
working class
and
capitalist class
.
Urbanization
increased.
Women and children
were employed in large numbers.
What was the Luddite Movement?
➤
Answer:
It was a protest by
skilled workers
in
Britain (1811-1817)
against
machines
that replaced their jobs.
11-20: Industrialization and Its Impact on India
Who set up the first cotton textile mill in India and when?
➤
Answer:
Cowasji
Nanabhoy
Davar
set up the first mill in
Bombay (1854)
.
What impact did British rule have on Indian industries?
➤
Answer:
Decline of handicrafts
due to cheap machine-made imports.
High taxes on Indian goods
but free trade for British products.
Raw materials exported
, reducing local industrial growth.
Why did Indian weavers face hardship in the 19th century?
➤
Answer:
British textiles flooded the market
, reducing demand for hand-woven cloth.
British controlled raw material prices
, making it expensive for weavers.
Heavy taxation
on Indian goods.
What was the Swadeshi Movement? How did it help Indian industries?
➤
Answer:
Encouraged
boycott of British goods
and promoted
Indian-made products
.
Increased
demand for Indian textiles
and small-scale industries.
Inspired
Indian entrepreneurs
like Tata and Birla.
Which were the major Indian industrial
centres
during British rule?
➤
Answer:
Bombay and Ahmedabad
(Textiles)
Calcutta
(Jute)
Jamshedpur
(Steel – TISCO)
What role did the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) play in Indian industrialization?
➤
Answer:
Established in 1907
by
Jamsetji
Tata
.
Reduced India's
dependence on British steel
.
Provided
employment and technological advancement
.
Why did Indian businessmen face difficulties under British rule?
➤
Answer:
British policies
favoured
British industries over Indian ones
.
High import duties
were imposed on Indian goods.
No financial support
from British banks.
Why did Indian industries grow during World War I?
➤
Answer:
British factories focused on
war production
, reducing imports to India.
Indian factories filled the
gap in textile and steel production
.
Increased demand for Indian industrial goods
.
What were the effects of industrialization on Indian society?
➤
Answer:
Growth of
factories and urban
centres
.
Decline of
cottage industries
.
Increase in
working-class population
.
What was the role of trade unions in industrialized India?
➤
Answer:
Fought for
better wages and working conditions
.
Opposed
child
labour
and long working hours
.
Organized
protests and strikes
against unfair treatment.
21-30: Labour System and Social Changes
What were the working conditions in early factories?
➤
Answer:
Long working hours
(12-14 hours).
Low wages and job insecurity
.
Poor sanitation and safety standards
.
Why was child
labour
common in early factories?
➤
Answer:
Children were cheap
labour
.
Easier to control
by factory owners.
Required for
small and delicate machine work
.
How did industrialization lead to urbanization?
➤
Answer:
Factories attracted workers
, increasing city populations.
New transport systems
helped
connect
cities.
Growth of
slums due to rapid migration
.
How did industrialization affect women workers?
➤
Answer:
Employed in
textile and garment factories
.
Paid
lower wages than men
.
Faced
long hours and unsafe working conditions
.
What laws were introduced to improve
labour
conditions?
➤
Answer:
Factory Act of 1819
(regulated child
labour
).
Factory Act of 1847
(reduced working hours).
Trade union laws
(gave
workers
rights to protest).
How did industrialization create a new middle class?
➤
Answer:
Rise of
factory owners and entrepreneurs
.
More
educated professionals
(bankers, managers).
Increased demand for skilled workers
.
Why did industrialists prefer machines over hand
labour
?
➤
Answer:
Machines produced goods faster
.
Reduced
labour
costs
.
Helped in
mass production
.
What was the main source of energy for early industries?
➤
Answer:
Coal and steam power
.
Which city in India became famous for its jute industry?
➤
Answer:
Calcutta (Kolkata)
.
Which Indian industry was most affected by British policies?
➤
Answer:
Textile industry
.
