Weaving Histories: The Transformation of the Handloom Industry in South India, 1800-1960 (British Academy Monographs)

Weaving Histories looks at the economic history of South Asia from a fresh perspective, through a detailed study of the handloom industry in colonial South India between 1800 and 1960, drawing out its wider implications for the Indian economy. It employs an unusual array of sources, including paintings and textile samples as well as archival records, to excavate the links between cotton growing, spinning and weaving before the nineteenth century. The rupture and re-configuration of these connections produced a sea-change in the lives of ordinary weavers. Weaving Histories uncovers the impact this transformation had on different kinds of weavers, particulalry those who wove coarse cloth. It unpacks the configuration of forces – social, political and economic – at different levels – local, regional, national and global – that came together to shape this transformation. The book uses this story of the transformation of the handloom industry to throw light on the historical processes at work in creating what has come to be called the ‘informal sector’ in India and more broadly reflect on debates around industrialisation. Weaving Histories looks at the economic history of South Asia from a fresh perspective, through a detailed study of the handloom industry of South India between 1800 and 1960, drawing out its wider implications for the Indian economy. It employs an unusual array of sources, including paintings and textile samples as well as archival records, to excavate the links between cotton growing, cleaning, spinning and weaving before the nineteenth century. The rupture and re-configuration of these links produced a sea-change in the lives of ordinary weavers. Weaving Histories examines the configuration of forcesâlocal, regional, national and globalâthat drove this transformation, and uncovers its effects on different groups of weavers. The handloom industry is used as a case study to throw light on the historical emergence of the 'informal sector' in India, and to re-examine contemporary debates about industrialisation and economic development. This book examines the transformation of the handloom industry in south India between 1800 and 1960 and its wider implications for the Indian economy. It employs a unusual array of sources, including paintings and textile samples as well as archival records, to excavate the links between cotton growing, spinning and weaving before the nineteenth century. The rupture of these connections produced a sea-change in the lives of ordinary weavers. New technologies reshaped production systems and markets for cotton and cloth were transformed under the pressure of global trade. The book uncovers these global connections and their human impact, especially on makers of coarse cloth and women workers. After the First World War, the handloom industry became a key battleground for struggles over workers' rights. This emerging regulatory framework, in turn, exerted a strong influence on the economic trajectory of India after independence 'Weaving Histories' looks at the economic history of South Asia from a fresh perspective, through a detailed study of the handloom industry in colonial South India between 1800 and 1960 and its wider implications for the Indian economy. It employs an unusual array of sources, including paintings and textile samples as well as archival records, to excavate the links between cotton growing, spinning and weaving before the nineteenth century This book looks at the economic history of south Asia from a fresh perspective, through a detailed study of the handloom industry in colonial south India.