Consider the following statements about the textile industry of Bengal before British rule:
(A) Muslin is a type of cotton textile.
(B) Muslin had its origin in Bengal, particularly in places in and around Dhaka.
(C) The finest variety of muslin was called Daccai Muslin.
(D) Daccai Muslin was famous within India but had little market abroad.
(E) Indian handicraft products enjoyed a worldwide market because of the fine quality of material and high standards of craftsmanship.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Three
(A) Muslin is a type of cotton textile. — Correct. Muslin is a cotton textile.
(B) Muslin had its origin in Bengal, particularly in places in and around Dhaka. — Correct. It began in Bengal, around Dhaka.
(C) The finest variety of muslin was called Daccai Muslin. — Incorrect. The finest variety was called malmal. Daccai Muslin was the name that gained worldwide fame.
(D) Daccai Muslin was famous within India but had little market abroad. — Incorrect. Daccai Muslin had worldwide fame.
(E) Indian handicraft products enjoyed a worldwide market because of the fine quality of material and high standards of craftsmanship. — Correct. Their worldwide market rested on material and craftsmanship.
NCERT (2026-27): “1.2 Low Level of Economic Development Under the Colonial Rule … India was particularly well known for its handicraft industries in the fields of cotton and silk textiles, metal and precious stone works etc. These products enjoyed a worldwide market based on the reputation of the fine quality of material used and the high standards of craftsmanship seen in all imports from India (See Box 1.1).” “Box 1.1: Textile Industry in Bengal Muslin is a type of cotton textile which had its origin in Bengal, particularly, places in and around Dhaka (spelled during the pre-independence period as Dacca), now the capital city of Bangladesh. ‘Daccai Muslin’ had gained worldwide fame as an exquisite type of cotton textile. The finest variety of muslin was called malmal. Sometimes, foreign travellers also used to refer to it as malmal shahi or malmal khas implying that it was worn by, or fit for, the royalty.” |