CBSE Class 10 Social Science: The Age of Industrialization NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the transformative period of industrialization, focusing on its impact and evolution. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science, Chapter 10, 'The Age of Industrialization,' provide detailed explanations and answers to key questions. Students will explore the reasons behind the resistance to new technologies like the Spinning Jenny, the shift of production from towns to villages by merchants, the decline of old ports like Surat, and the role of the East India Company's appointed 'gomasthas' in supervising weavers. These solutions break down complex historical events into understandable steps, aiding students in grasping the nuances of early industrial development and its socio-economic consequences. They are an invaluable resource for exam revision, offering clarity on the historical context and the forces that shaped the modern industrial world.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10 of the Class 10 Social Science curriculum, 'The Age of Industrialization,' examines the historical development of industries. The NCERT Solutions cover critical aspects such as the social impact of new technologies, the proto-industrialization phase where merchants employed rural artisans, the reasons for the decline of traditional trading centers, and the methods employed by colonial powers like the East India Company to control production. These solutions offer clear explanations for complex historical phenomena, helping students understand the transition to industrial society.

Learning outcomes

Understand the reasons for worker resistance to new technologies.
Explain the shift from town-based guilds to rural production systems.
Analyze the factors contributing to the decline of historical ports.
Describe the role and impact of the East India Company's 'gomasthas' on Indian weavers.
Identify the key characteristics of the Age of Industrialization.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Age of Industrialization
Spinning Jenny and technological resistance
Proto-industrialization
Role of merchants and guilds
Decline of the port of Surat
East India Company and weavers
Gomasthas
Impact of European companies on Indian trade

Important topics

Reasons for worker resistance to new technology
Shift of production to rural areas
Factors leading to the decline of old ports
The role of the East India Company in controlling weavers

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Questions and Solutions

Q.1A

Explain the following: Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny.

Solution: Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny primarily out of fear of losing their livelihoods. The Spinning Jenny was a technological innovation that significantly increased the speed and efficiency of the spinning process, allowing a single worker to operate multiple spindles simultaneously. This automation threatened the jobs of many women who were employed in the traditional hand-spinning industry. The introduction of such machines led to a fear of widespread unemployment and job insecurity, making the workers hostile towards the new technology. Their attacks on the Spinning Jenny represented a protest against the potential displacement of labor and the uncertainty of their future employment in the face of rapid industrial change.

Q.1B

Explain the following: In the seventeenth century, merchants from towns in Europe began employing peasants and artisans within the villages.

Solution: In the seventeenth century, European merchants increasingly turned to villages to employ peasants and artisans because of the restrictions imposed by powerful guilds in the towns. Urban guilds controlled trade, raw materials, labor, and production methods, often regulating prices and limiting the entry of new producers. This made it difficult for merchants to expand production to meet the growing demand fueled by expanding world trade and the acquisition of colonies. By moving to the countryside, merchants could bypass the strict regulations of the town guilds. Peasants and artisans in villages were often willing to work for merchants, providing a readily available labor force and a means to increase production outside the confines of urban guild control.

Q.1C

Explain the following: The port of Surat declined by the end of the eighteenth century.

Solution: The port of Surat, once a vital pre-colonial hub connecting India with the Gulf and Red Sea ports, experienced a significant decline by the end of the eighteenth century. This decline was largely due to the increasing dominance of European trading companies. These companies gradually acquired concessions from local rulers and secured monopoly rights over trade, undermining the network previously managed by Indian merchants and bankers. Furthermore, European powers began developing their own ports, such as Bombay, which became more prominent. As European companies gained control, exports from Surat slowed down, local banks faced bankruptcy, and the overall trade activity at the port diminished, leading to its eventual decline.

Q.1D

Explain the following: The East India Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers in India.

Solution: The East India Company appointed 'gomasthas' as part of its strategy to gain control over the production and trade of textiles in India and establish a monopoly. The primary role of these gomasthas was to supervise the Indian weavers, ensure they fulfilled the company's orders, and prevent them from supplying their products to other European companies or local traders. By appointing gomasthas, the company aimed to streamline the supply of goods, fix prices, and exert greater control over the weavers, thereby eliminating competition and securing a steady supply of textiles for its own trade.

Common mistakes

Confusing the reasons for worker resistance with general opposition to change.
Underestimating the role of guilds in hindering industrial expansion.
Failing to connect the decline of ports with the rise of European colonial trade.
Misunderstanding the function of 'gomasthas' as mere supervisors rather than agents of control.

Revision tips

Focus on understanding the cause-and-effect relationships explained in each answer.
Create a timeline to map the events related to industrialization and port decline.
Pay attention to the specific roles of different groups like merchants, artisans, and company officials.
Use the explanations to build a narrative of the industrialization process.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did women workers in Britain attack the Spinning Jenny?

Q2. What was a major reason for merchants moving production to villages in the 17th century?

Q3. Which of the following was a consequence of the growing power of European companies on the port of Surat?

Q4. What was the primary role of the 'gomasthas' appointed by the East India Company?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 10, 'The Age of Industrialization'?

Chapter 10 focuses on the historical development of industrialization, exploring its causes, consequences, and the social and economic changes it brought about, particularly in Britain and India.

Why did women workers oppose the Spinning Jenny?

Women workers opposed the Spinning Jenny because it was a machine that sped up the spinning process, reducing the need for manual labor and leading to fears of widespread unemployment among them.

What does 'proto-industrialization' refer to in this chapter?

Proto-industrialization refers to the phase before the advent of factories, where merchants employed rural artisans to produce goods in their homes, often in villages, to meet expanding market demands.

What led to the decline of the port of Surat?

The port of Surat declined due to the increasing dominance of European trading companies, which secured trade monopolies and developed alternative ports like Bombay, leading to a decrease in Surat's sea trade and the bankruptcy of local banks.

Who were the 'gomasthas' and what was their function?

Gomasthas were agents appointed by the East India Company to supervise Indian weavers, ensure they produced goods exclusively for the company, and control the supply chain.

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