Hint: The capital of the state which holds the first rank in cotton textile production is known as cottonopolis of India or Manchester of India and the state has about 122 cotton mills. The second rank holder state in the cotton textile sector has about 130 cotton textile mills.
Complete Answer:
Maharashtra has about 122 cotton textile mills in its organised sector and it thus is the largest cotton producing state of India. Mumbai, which is the state capital has about 59 out of these 122 mills. It is also known as cottonopolis of India or Manchester of India. These textile industries have the advantage of the availability of cheap hydel power, nearness to the port of Mumbai and the local cotton.
Bihar - Cotton textile industries are mainly found in Patna, Gaya and their adjoining areas and Bihar cotton is not grown on a very large scale. Thus the state contributes a little less in the cotton growing and cotton textile production sector of India.
Gujarat - It has about 130 cotton textile mills out of which 70 are located in Ahmedabad only. Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and Bhavnagar are also important centres. Availability of cheap labour and the location of the cotton belt has resulted in the opening of such a large number of cotton textile mills and all of this has maintained Gujarat’s second rank in production.
West Bengal - Here also there are many mills in the district of Chaubis Pargana, Hooghly and Howrah. Kolkata is the most important centre of the cotton textile industry in West Bengal.
Thus we can conclude that the correct answer is option C.
Note: - First modern cotton textile industry was set up in Fort Gloster located in Howrah in the year 1818. But it could not survive.
- Cotton is known as White Gold of India because of its shine and purity.
- Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu is known as the Manchester of South India and Tamil Nadu, followed by Maharashtra stands in first place in the production of cotton yarn in the country.
As an expert in the field of textile industries in India, I bring comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the cotton textile sector, encompassing the geographical distribution, historical evolution, and production dynamics across various states.
Maharashtra stands as the leading state in cotton textile production within India. The state boasts approximately 122 organized cotton textile mills, with Mumbai, its capital, hosting around 59 of these mills. Mumbai's moniker as the "cottonopolis of India" or the "Manchester of India" derives from its prominent status in the textile industry. Factors contributing to Maharashtra's textile dominance include access to cost-effective hydropower, proximity to the Mumbai port facilitating trade, and abundant local cotton resources.
Bihar, on the other hand, plays a smaller role in cotton cultivation and textile production. While cotton textile industries exist in places like Patna and Gaya, the state's contribution to the overall cotton industry in India remains limited due to the relatively smaller scale of cotton cultivation.
Gujarat secures the second rank in cotton textile production, housing around 130 cotton textile mills, with Ahmedabad alone hosting 70 of these mills. Cities like Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, and Bhavnagar also serve as significant centers for cotton textile production in the state. Gujarat's advantageous position in the cotton belt, combined with access to cheap labor, has been pivotal in maintaining its prominent status in cotton textile manufacturing.
West Bengal, specifically districts like Chaubis Pargana, Hooghly, and Howrah, hosts several cotton textile mills, with Kolkata acting as a key center for the industry within the state.
The historical context of India's cotton industry includes the establishment of the first modern cotton textile industry in Fort Gloster, Howrah, in 1818, although it faced challenges and could not sustain itself. Additionally, cotton is often referred to as the "White Gold of India" due to its lustrous quality and purity.
Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, recognized as the "Manchester of South India," follows Maharashtra in leading the country's cotton yarn production. Tamil Nadu holds a significant place in cotton yarn manufacturing, trailing Maharashtra in production.
In summary, Maharashtra leads the nation in cotton textile production, followed closely by Gujarat, while Bihar plays a smaller role due to limited cotton cultivation. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu also have their own contributions to the cotton textile industry, with Kolkata and Coimbatore being important centers respectively.
If you have any specific questions or require further details regarding any aspect of India's cotton textile industry or related topics, feel free to ask!
