What problems did the cotton weavers face in India?

Cotton weavers in India faced a number of problems, primarily caused by a shift in demand and competition from foreign manufacturers. The introduction of foreign textiles, especially those made of machine-spun yarn, undercut the competitiveness of Indian weavers. These foreign imports were both cheaper and of better quality than the weavers’ traditional hand-spun yarn products. The weavers also faced increased competition from the mechanized factories established in the cities, which was able to produce textiles faster and more cheaply than the hand-weavers. The weavers also struggled with inadequate access to credit from traditional banking channels as well as weak export promotion schemes. The growth of new buyers with access to the latest technology and technologies which enabled materials to be made faster and more cheaply than Indian production capabilities, only worsened the situation.