NCERT · Class 10 · Social Science · History: The Age of IndustrialisationWho was the 'Gomastha' appointed by the British East India Company in India?

The correct answer is a paid servant to supervise weavers. After establishing political power in India, the East India Company wanted to assert a monopoly right to trade and eliminate competition from other European powers and local merchants. To achieve this, they developed a system of management and control. They appointed a paid servant called the 'Gomastha'. The Gomastha's primary responsibilities included supervising the weavers, collecting the finished cloth supplies from them, and meticulously examining the quality of the produced cloth. This system allowed the Company to have direct control over the production process and the weavers themselves, often leading to conflicts in the villages.