Publisher's Synopsis
Textiles were a catalyst in Europe′s trade with the Indian subcontinent in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, reflecting not only a new demand for cloth but also the size and diversity of the handloom weaving industry in the regions that came in contact with Europe. Over the next 200 years the nature of the encounter among foreign trade, markets and textile production changed dramatically. The essays in this volume contribute to understanding this transition. Topics covered include: the scale of export market expansion and its effects on artisans; the impact of competition between artisans and machinery; and de-industrialization. Overall this volume explores the relationship among commerce, industry and economic growth in the evolution of the regional economy.
