Witnessing the devastation of the Indian textile industries, William Bentinck remarked, ‘‘The bones of the _______ are bleaching the plains of India’’. 

This question was previously asked in
MH SET Paper-II: History 23rd June 2019
View all MH SET Papers >
  1. Cotton Traders
  2. Cotton Weavers
  3. Mill Workers
  4. Cotton Farmers

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Cotton Weavers
Free
MH SET Paper 1: Held on 26th Sep 2021
1 K Users
50 Questions 100 Marks 60 Mins

Detailed Solution

Download Solution PDF

The correct answer is - Cotton Weavers

Key Points

  • Cotton Weavers
    • During British rule, the Indian textile industry faced severe setbacks due to colonial policies.
    • William Bentinck’s remark, “The bones of the cotton weavers are bleaching the plains of India,” highlights the devastating impact on traditional weavers.
    • The influx of cheap British manufactured textiles destroyed the livelihood of Indian weavers who could not compete with British mills.
    • This led to widespread poverty and the decline of India’s once-flourishing textile industry.

Additional Information

  • Impact of British Policies on Indian Textiles
    • The British imposed high duties on Indian textiles exported to England while allowing British goods into India at minimal tariffs.
    • The introduction of machine-made textiles from Britain led to the displacement of Indian artisans who relied on manual weaving techniques.
    • British policies prioritized their industrial growth over the survival of traditional Indian industries.
  • William Bentinck’s Era
    • William Bentinck served as the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835.
    • He was known for his reforms, including the abolition of Sati, but his era also witnessed the economic exploitation of India.
    • His observation regarding the plight of Indian weavers reflects the broader impact of colonial policies on Indian society.
  • Decline of Indian Textile Industry
    • By the 19th century, India, once a global leader in textiles, had become a market for British goods.
    • The decline of the textile industry was a key factor in the economic impoverishment of India under British rule.
    • Traditional weavers and artisans suffered immensely, leading to widespread unemployment and famine-like conditions.
Latest MH SET Updates

Last updated on Jun 26, 2025

-> Maharashtra SET 2025 Answer Key has been released. Objections will be accepted online by 2nd July 2025.

-> Savitribai Phule Pune University, the State Agency will conduct ed the 40th SET examination on Sunday, 15th June, 2025. 

-> Candidates having a master's degree from a UGC-recognized university are eligible to apply for the exam.

-> The candidates are selected based on the marks acquired in the written examination, comprising two papers.

-> The serious aspirant can go through the MH SET Eligibility Criteria in detail. Candidates must practice questions from the MH SET previous year papers and MH SET mock tests.

Get Free Access Now
Hot Links: teen patti joy vip teen patti all games teen patti customer care number teen patti real cash teen patti yas