Which industrial region in India is historically renowned for its dominance in the cotton textile industry and is often referred to as the 'Manchester of India'?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Answer: The Ahmedabad-Vadodara Industrial Region.
Explanation:
- Historically, Ahmedabad is referred to as the 'Manchester of India' due to its immense dominance in the cotton textile industry. The Ahmedabad-Vadodara industrial region is situated in close proximity to the cotton-producing belt (the black soil region), ensuring a continuous supply of raw materials. Situated along the banks of the Sabarmati River, the humid climate and abundant water supply in this area played a pivotal role in the growth of textile mills.
- Following the establishment of the first cotton mill here in the latter half of the 19th century, the region witnessed rapid development. Much like Manchester (Britain), Ahmedabad emerged as one of the world's leading textile hubs. Although Mumbai is often referred to as the 'Cotton City of India,' the title of 'Manchester of India' is specifically associated with Ahmedabad. In North India, Kanpur is known as the 'Manchester of North India,' while in the South, Coimbatore is called the 'Manchester of South India.'
Additional Points:
- Raw Materials: This region is located near Gujarat's 'Regur' (black soil) zone, which is renowned for producing high-quality cotton.
- Other Industrial Regions:
- Chota Nagpur Region: Known as the 'Ruhr of India,' this region is famous for its mineral wealth and heavy industries (particularly iron and steel).
- Hooghly Region: This serves as the historical hub of the jute industry.
- Mumbai-Pune Region: This constitutes India's largest and most diverse industrial cluster.
Potential Exam Questions and Answers:
Question: Which city is known as the 'Manchester of South India'?
Answer: Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).
Question: Where was India's first cotton textile mill established?
Answer: At Fort Gloster (Kolkata) in 1818 (though the first commercially successful mill was established in Mumbai in 1854).
Question: On the banks of which river is Ahmedabad situated—a location that facilitated the growth of its cotton industry? Answer: Sabarmati River.