Textile or Textiles means woven or machine knitted fabric or cloth. If a fabric is produced by using cotton, it is called Cotton Textile and if wool is used it is called Woollen Textile.

Nowadays chemical substances called synthetic are used as fibre and the fabric produced is known as Rayon Textiles or Synthetic Textile or Artificial Silk Textile.

Cotton textile is the most important, wide spread and a well organized industry in the world. Spinning and weaving had been done by man since ages. This has been certified by fine muslin, shawls, silk etc. of China, India, Egypt and West Asia.

Textile remained mainly a household industry. By the end of the 17th century, the industry was common throughout Europe. The change from handmade cloth to machine made cloth occurred first of all in England.

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Inventions in the processes of spinning and weaving revolutionsed textile industry throughout the world. Many other factors worked for the development of the industry in the world :

(i) Industrial Revolution in Europe.

(ii) Development of chemicals for the use of the industry

(iii) Development of hydro-electricity.

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(v) Increase in standard of living of the people.

(v) Increase in acreage and production of cotton, the raw material.

(vi) Growth of world population resulting in wide demand of cloth.

(vii) Development of means of transport.

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There is not one factor that localizes this industry in a region but a combination of factors those determine its localization.

(1) Climate.

In dry climate, thread which is used for weaving cloth gets snapped quite often and work is disturbed. Thus humid climate is best suited for the industry, as in this climate weaving process is smoothly done without any interruption.

This is one reason why the cotton textile industry has developed in Mumbai.

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However, nowadays this factor does not hold good because artificial humid conditions can be created in the factory sheds.

(2) Source of Power.

Previously the factories were fuelled by coal. The proximity to coal was a determining factor.

But presently coal has been replaced by electricity. This is why absence of coal does not discourage starting new textile mills.

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(3) Raw Material.

Cotton is the main raw material of the industry. Thus cotton growing areas attract the textile industry. Maharashtra and Gujarat states in India have become leaders in number of textile mills on account of cotton being intensively grown in these states.

(4) Textile Costs.

Textile is not a weight losing industry like iron and steel industry. One tonne of cotton produces about one tonne of cloth.

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Hence it matters little whether the industry is established near the market or near the cotton area because the cost of transporting raw material is almost the same as that of transporting cloth.

Transportation costs and manufacturing costs have close relationship with each other. If the cost of transportation is less, the price of the manufactured cloth is bound to be less and thus the industry gets a boost. Hence the industry makes progress when the transport cost is low.

(5) Labour.

Cheap labour is an asset to the industry. Availability of cheap labour in a region gives the advantage of low manufacturing costs and cheaper products. Thus it encourages the development of the industry.

(6) Markets.

Market has a great importance for the industry Raw material is not that much important as the nearness of the market is due to urbanization, literacy, industrialization, growth of fashion, advertisement and increase in standard of living of the people consequently; market for textiles has become global.

(7) Capital.

This industry needs a heavy capital investment. The textile sector accounts for a significant portion of the total industrial output of the country. It plays a vital role in the nation’s economy, both in regard to employment generation and earning of foreign exchange.

This industry has witnessed a phenomenal growth during the last four decades. The total employment in this sector is estimated at about 9310 million in 1998-99 against 39 million in 1990. The spindleage increased from 11 million in 1951 to 37 million (anticipated) during 1999-2000.

The number of rotors increased from45, 000 in 1989 to4, and 50,000 (anticipated) during 1999-2000. Loomage, however, has declined from 1, 96,000 in 1951 to 1, and 23,000 as on 31 March 1999. The number of cotton/man-made fibre mills has increased from 383 in 1951 to 1,824 till 31 March, 1999.

Out of 1,824 mills, 192 are in the public sector. 153 mills in the corporation sector and 1,479 mills are in the private sector. The cotton/ man-made fibre textile industry is concentrated mainly in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Textile exports in 1999-2000 were to the tune of Rs. 58,000 crores.