10. The East India Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers in India. Explain.

The East India Company, a powerful British trading company during the colonial era, employed a system of gomasthas to oversee various aspects of their operations in India, including the supervision of weavers.

Gomasthas were essentially local agents or supervisors hired by the East India Company to manage their affairs on the ground. In the context of the textile industry, these gomasthas were tasked with several responsibilities:

1. Weaver Supervision: One of the primary roles of gomasthas was to supervise the weavers employed by the East India Company. This included ensuring that the weavers met production quotas, maintained quality standards, and followed the Company's instructions regarding the production of specific textiles.

2. Collection of Goods: Gomasthas were responsible for collecting finished goods from the weavers and delivering them to the Company's warehouses or trading posts. They ensured that the products met the Company's requirements in terms of quantity and quality.

3. Enforcement of Company Policies: Gomasthas acted as enforcers of the East India Company's policies and regulations among the weavers. They ensured compliance with Company rules regarding working conditions, wages, and other aspects of employment.

4. Intermediaries: Gomasthas served as intermediaries between the weavers and the Company, conveying instructions, relaying feedback, and resolving any issues or disputes that arose during the production process.

Overall, the gomastha system was a means for the East India Company to exert control over the textile industry in India, leveraging local agents to manage and supervise the production process while maximizing profits for the Company. However, this system also contributed to the exploitation of Indian weavers and artisans, as the gomasthas often acted in the Company's interests rather than those of the workers.