How did the East India Company procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers?

Solution: The East India Company adopted various steps to ensure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles.

1. They established political power to assert a monopoly on the right to trade.
2. The company tried to eliminate the existing traders and brokers connected with the cloth trade and establish direct control over the weavers. It appointed paid servants called the ‘Gomasthas’ to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth.
3. It prevented the company weavers from dealing with other buyers. Once an order was placed, the weavers were given loans to purchase the raw material. Those who took loans had to hand over the cloth they produced to the Gomasthas only. They could not take it to any other trader.
4. They developed a system of management and control that would eliminate competition, control costs and ensure a regular supply of cotton and silk goods. This system forced the sale at a price dictated by the company. By giving the weavers a loan, the company tied the weavers with them.