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NCERT · Class 10 · Social Science · History: The Age of IndustrialisationHow did advertisements help in creating a new consumer culture and expanding the market for British goods in India during the industrial age?

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Role of Advertisements in Creating Consumer Culture

\nDuring the age of industrialization, advertisements played a crucial role in expanding the markets for products and shaping a new consumer culture. In India, British manufacturers used various strategies to make their products appear desirable and necessary:

  • Use of Labels: When Manchester industrialists began selling cloth in India, they put labels on the cloth bundles. The label was a mark of quality. When buyers saw 'MADE IN MANCHESTER' written in bold on the label, they felt confident about buying the cloth. Labels also carried beautiful images that attracted buyers.
  • Images of Gods and Goddesses: To make foreign products appear familiar to Indian consumers, manufacturers printed images of Indian deities like Krishna, Saraswati, and Lakshmi on cloth labels and calendars. It was as if the association with gods gave divine approval to the goods being sold.
  • Figures of Important Personages: Advertisements often featured images of emperors, nawabs, and historical figures. The message conveyed was that if you respect the royal figure, then you should respect and use the product they are shown endorsing. This added a sense of prestige and status to the product.
  • The Use of Calendars: Unlike newspapers and magazines, calendars were used even by people who could not read. They were hung in tea shops, homes, and offices. Throughout the year, these calendars reminded people of the brand and the product.
  • Nationalist Messages: Later, Indian manufacturers also used advertisements to spread nationalist messages. They urged people to buy Indian goods (Swadeshi) if they cared for their nation. This turned advertisements into a vehicle for the nationalist message of self-reliance. \nIn conclusion, advertisements were not just about selling products; they were about creating new needs and changing the way people thought about goods, effectively building a global market for industrial products.
💡 Study Guide: This question tests core syllabus concepts from History: The Age of Industrialisation. For formulas, key summaries, and mock exam reference guides, read the full History: The Age of Industrialisation Revision Notes.
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