Over 50 % workers in the Bombay cotton industries came from

Category: Maharashtra Gk

Hint: Consider the geographical and historical context of the Bombay cotton industry.

Correct Answer: C) Ratnagiri

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Proximity: Ratnagiri is located in the western part of Maharashtra, relatively close to Bombay (now Mumbai). The proximity made it easier for workers to migrate to the industrial centers in Bombay.

Economic Conditions: Ratnagiri had a predominantly agrarian economy, and during periods of agricultural downturn or when there was a surplus of labor, workers would migrate to the industrial centers in search of better opportunities. The agrarian nature of the economy in Ratnagiri made it a fertile ground for labor migration.

Historical Context: During the colonial period, the British encouraged the growth of the cotton industry in Bombay, and the demand for labor was high. Ratnagiri, being a part of the same state, had a ready supply of labor that could be easily mobilized to meet the industrial needs.

Option Analysis:

Option A: Kanpur is a major industrial city in Uttar Pradesh, but it was not a significant source of labor for the Bombay cotton industry due to its geographical distance and different industrial focus.
Option B: Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, was a major industrial center in the east but was not the primary source of labor for the Bombay cotton industry due to its distance and different economic ties.
Option C: Ratnagiri is correct because it is a district in Maharashtra, close to Bombay, and had a significant agrarian population that could easily migrate to work in the cotton mills.
Option D: Delhi, being the capital city, was not a significant source of labor for the Bombay cotton industry due to its distance and different economic focus.

Mnemonic: R for Ratnagiri, R for Rich in labor for cotton

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