Mughal Administration c14.s4: § 4. Some chief seats of State industries.
Mughal Administration c14.s4
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§ 4. Some chief seats of State industries.
c14.s4.1
In the middle of the 17th century, the French doctor Bernier saw these factories at work during his visit to the Mughal capital. He writes: Within the fortress, "large halls are seen in many places, called *karkhanahs* or workshops for the artisans. In one hall embroiderers are busily employed, superintended by a master. In another you see goldsmiths ; in a third painters, in a fourth varnishers in lacquer-work ; in a fifth joiners, turners, tailors, shoemakers ; in a sixth manufacturers of silk, brocade, and those fine muslins of which are made turbans, girdles with golden flowers, and [the fine] drawers worn by females......beautifully embroidered with needle work.
c14.s4.2
“The artisans repair every morning to their respective workshops, where they remain employed the whole day ; and in the evening return to their homes......The embroiderer brings up his son as an embroiderer, the son of a goldsmith becomes a goldsmith, and a physician of the city educates his son for a physician. No one marries but in his own trade or profession ; and this custom is observed almost as rigidly by the Muhammadans as by the Hindus.” (Bernier, 259.)
c14.s4.3
In the provinces there were State factories at Lahore, Agra, Fathpur and Ahmadabad, as well as Burhanpur and Kashmir. The governors of the various provinces could not have maintained factories of their own, (except on a very small scale), as they were liable to frequent transfer. But they patronised local products, as they had to supply the Emperor all the same with choice specimens of these. “The king and the princes keep officials in every one of these provinces, whose business it is to put in hand the best goods that can be fabricated in each place. With this object in view, they keep an eye continually upon what is being done in that respect" [by the local artisans]. (Storia, ii. 431.)
c14.s4.4
The development of Indian art industries under State patronage is thus described by Abul Fazl,—"His Majesty pays much attention to various stuffs ......Skilful masters and workmen have settled in this country, to teach people an improved system of manufacture. The imperial workshops in the towns of Lahore, Agra, Fathpur, Ahmadabad-Gujrat turn out many masterpieces of workmanship ; and the figures and patterns, knots and variety of fashions which now prevail, astonish experienced travellers......On account of the care bestowed upon them, the intelligent workmen of this country soon improved......The imperial workshops furnish all those stuffs which are made in other countries. A taste for fine material has since become general, and the drapery used at feasts surpasses every description." (Ain. i. 87-88.)
c14.s4.5
Masulipatam, long in the Golkonda kingdom, was the home of many artisans skilled in calico-printing, and we have letters in which Aurangzib, then viceroy of the Deccan, requests that some of these artisans might be sent to work in the State factory at Delhi or Agra. It was practically forced labour.
c14.s4.6
The lot of the labourers was not happy, nor conducive to the true economic development of the country. At the capital, which was the largest and richest city in the land, there were no private factories, no workshops owned and managed by skilful artisans on their own behalf. As Bernier rightly observes, "If the artists and manufacturers were encouraged, the useful and fine arts would flourish ; but these unhappy men are contemned, treated with harshness and inadequately remunerated for their labour. The rich will have every article at a cheap rate. When an *umara* or *mansabdar* requires the services of an artisan, he sends to the bazar for him, employing force, if necessary, to make the poor man work ; and after the task is finished, the unfeeling lord pays, not according to the value of the labour, but agreeably to his own standard of fair remuneration ; the artisan having reason to congratulate himself if the *kora* (lash) has not been given in part payment......How then can it be expected that any spirit of emulation should animate the artist or manufacturer ?......The artists, therefore, who arrive at any eminence in their art are those only who are in the service of the king or of some powerful *umara*, and who work exclusively for their patron." (Bernier, 255-256.)