Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Handloom weavers survived and expanded against mill-made cloth for two main reasons:

1. Technological improvements: Weavers adopted the fly shuttle loom, which increased productivity, speeded up production and reduced labour costs. By 1941, over 35% of handlooms used fly shuttles; in regions like Travancore and Bengal, the figure was 70–80%.

2. Specialised weaves that mills could not imitate: Weavers producing finer varieties — such as Banarasi saris, Madras lungis and handkerchiefs, and saris with woven borders — faced stable demand from the well-to-do. Mills could not replicate these intricate, specialised designs, protecting handloom weavers from direct competition.

Source: Chapter 4, Section 5.1 — Small-scale Industries Predominate

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The question asks for two specific reasons — award yourself marks only if both are clearly stated. Examiners look for:

• Fly shuttle / technological adoption as Reason 1 (with supporting detail like the 35% / 70–80% figures — these impress).
• Specialised/fine weaves that mills couldn't copy as Reason 2 (name an example: Banarasi, Madras lungis).

Don't write about spinning (that industry collapsed — the question is about weavers surviving). Keep each point tight; one well-explained point per paragraph is ideal for a 3-mark answer.