Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The Problem: After Partition in 1947, although the jute mills remained in India (mainly in West Bengal), about three-fourths of the jute-producing area went to Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan). This created a serious raw material crisis for the Indian jute industry.

Effect on the Industry: The mills were left without adequate supply of their primary raw material — raw jute. India had the processing capacity but lacked sufficient raw jute, while Bangladesh had the raw jute but fewer mills. This imbalance disrupted production, raised raw material costs, and weakened the industry's output and competitiveness.

Source: Jute Textiles, Chapter 6

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• The examiner expects you to clearly state two things: (1) the structural problem — separation of raw material areas from mills, and (2) its effect on the industry — raw material shortage/disruption.
• The key fact to remember: ¾ of jute-growing area → Bangladesh; mills → India. This is a classic example of how Partition disrupted industrial supply chains.
• Do not just define the problem — always link it to consequences, especially in a 3-mark question.