Question

Where was the first modern cotton mill established in India?

• A. Surat
• B. Bombay
• C. Calcutta
• D. Ahmedabad

Hint:

For the textile industry in India, remember these key centers: First modern cotton mill \(\rightarrow\) Bombay. "Manchester of India" (major cotton textile center) \(\rightarrow\) Ahmedabad.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the location of the first successful, modern, steam-powered cotton textile mill in India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
While the first attempt to set up a cotton mill was at Fort Gloster near Calcutta in 1818, it was not commercially successful. The first successful modern cotton mill, the "Bombay Spinning and Weaving Company," was established in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1854 by the Parsi entrepreneur Cowasjee Nanabhoy Davar. The city's excellent port facilities for importing machinery and exporting finished goods, along with the availability of capital and the humid climate, made it an ideal location for the industry.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The first successful modern cotton mill was established in Bombay.