In the 19th century weavers faced a number of problems.
(a) As the cotton industry developed in England, the industrial groups were worried about exports from other countries. They pressurised the government to introduce import duties on textiles, so that Manchester goods could sell in Britain without any competition.
(b) At the same time, the manufacturers persuaded the Company to sell their goods in the colonies and Indian markets as well. By 1850 the cotton piece goods constituted 31 per cent of the value of Indian imports.
(c) The weavers faced twin problems–their export market was crumbling and the local market shrinking. The Indian markets were flooded with Manchester textile, it was machine–made and very cheap.
(d) By 1860's, weavers faced another problem of shortage of raw cotton of good quality. When the American Civil War broke out and cotton suppliers from the US were cut. The cotton exports from India increased and the price of raw cotton increased. Weavers in India were starved of supplies and forced to buy raw cotton at exorbitant prices.
(e) The weavers lost the bargaining power after taking advances from the Company. They had to sell their produce at a miserably low price.
