Industrial Revolution in India

The rapid growth in the economy raises the question of where the Industrial Revolution began; the revolution came into existence in the 18th century. Since there was the introduction of innovation and new technologies, dramatic changes started to occur in the economic and social structure of the country. 

Previously, wealthy merchants used to supply raw materials to families to collect the final goods. However, after the Industrial Revolutions, they started to set up large-scale factories. 

Manufacturers installed new machinery, raw materials came up, and an abundance of the human workforce was employed in factories to make machine-made goods. That is how the factory system came into existence. 

The entire world felt the impact of rapid industrialisation. Britain (England) already had the acquired resources to emerge as an industrialised power. Later, countries like France, Germany, and the US started industrialisation.  

Innovations and Technological Changes During the Industrial Revolution

The era of the Industrial Revolution took many inventions, innovations, and technological changes into consideration. It promoted industrialisation in several countries. Now, people could do large-scale production faster, making goods more readily available and less expensive. 

These inventions impacted the transport and textile industries to a great extent and led to a labour organisation.

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Textile Industry

Due to the technological advancements in the textile industry, innovation in steel and iron production started. Other countries took inspiration from England and began to follow in their footsteps as manufactured goods from England were flooding the world markets. 

Samuel Slater travelled from England to America in 1789. He adopted the British textile industry and established the industrial revolution in America based on the knowledge acquired on his tour from England to America. 

In America, new areas came under cotton plantations, which boosted the demand for enslaved people. Like America, France and Germany faced similar incidents. 

Richard Arkwright established the first factory-built for house machinery in England, where people got employment under fixed working hours. That is why he is called the father of the factory system.

Another significant advancement during the Industrial Revolutions was the establishment of the Steam Engine. Even the earlier devices were updated, improving production and necessitating enormous steam power to meet the production demand. 

Thomas Newcomen built an engine for pumping water from coal mines to ease out the production process. Later, in 1764, James Watt suggested measures for improvement, which revised the drawbacks of the industrial revolution and ultimately improved the efficiency of the Newcomen engine. 

John Wilkinson’s drill gun bore the large cylinder for his engine. Later, steam engines replaced locomotive engines, boosting the demand for railway lines. 

Moreover, the steam engines were easy to operate over long distances. Consequently, their demand increased because there was no longer a need to locate factories near water bodies such as rivers, lakes, etc. 

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Coal and Iron

The foundation of modern industry in the era of Industrial Revolutions was laid by the steam engine, iron, and coal. It again brings us to the question of where did the industrial revolution begin. 

The muscle power of men, women, animals, and children plays a significant role in the movement of coal, which makes it a complex process. Above all, mine owners generally preferred children for this task due to their small size, which allowed them to access unreachable corners.  

As the usage of steam power rose, the demand for coal simultaneously increased. There was an urgent need to move raw material and finished goods quickly and safely to develop the transportation sector. So, innovations were taking place in coal mining, such as transportation of coal, tunnel ventilation, use of gunpowder, and using safety lamps. 

Still, the people working in coal miles suffered several life-threatening diseases such as lung infection and lung cancer. That is why the public believed that mine workers had death wishes; working in a mine was an intensive and often fatal activity.

Henry Cort, an ironmaster in 1784, innovated a method to produce less brittle iron known as wrought iron. Later, it was proved beneficial in the industrial era. John Wilkinson, in 1774, invented the drilling machine to drill holes accurately. After this invention, the production of iron doubled up, especially between 1788 and 1806. 

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Impact of the Industrial Revolution 

Now, workers live close to their workplace, which opens doors for better employment opportunities. However, the working conditions were miserable in factories, with nearly no hygiene, poor health, and housing facilities. 

During this time, the factory owners wanted to pile up money and make huge profits. Hence, they forced workers to work for longer hours at low wages. They even employed children and women at low wages. The factories were noisy, poorly ventilated, dirty, and dark, giving rise to another problem. 

Finally, workers realised what they were missing, which created pressure on the owners. Later, a movement to protect workers from the injustices of the factory system started. The government formulated laws to improve living and working conditions, creating a huge impact.  

Conclusion

Industrial Revolutions brought massive economic and social changes that helped to transform from an agriculturally stable place to modern industrial society. 

The place where the industrial revolution began and the growth it experienced showed phenomenal success. This achievement was mainly due to its simplified weaving process in the textile industry, leading to less time consumption to create the final output. 

The advancements in technology were beneficial for the economic development and organisation of labour by providing employment opportunities.