CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · History: The Age of IndustrialisationHow did advertisements help in creating a new consumer culture during the industrial age?

Advertisements played a crucial role in expanding the market for goods and creating a new consumer culture during the industrial age. They made products appear necessary and desirable, shaping the minds of people and creating new needs. During the 19th century, Manchester industrialists used labels on cloth bundles to make the place of manufacture and the name of the company familiar to buyers. These labels often carried beautiful images of Indian gods and goddesses like Krishna or Saraswati, which gave divine approval to the goods and made them more acceptable to Indian consumers. Calendars were also used to popularize products, as they were hung in the homes of both the rich and the poor, ensuring the brand was seen throughout the year. Furthermore, advertisements often carried nationalist messages, suggesting that if you care for the nation, then buy products that Indians produce. This turned advertisements into a vehicle for the nationalist message of Swadeshi, encouraging people to support local industries and creating a sense of pride in consuming indigenous goods.