WHAT WERE THE REASONS BEHIND THE DECLINE OF IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES IN INDIA?

Dear Student,

The Indian iron and steel smelting declined because:

1. The iron smelting declined  because the swords and amours making  industry died with the conquest of India by the British and imports of iron and steel from  England displaced the iron and steel produced by craft persons in India. 
2. Production of wootz steel required a highly specialized technique of refining iron. But iron smelting in India was extremely common till the end of the nineteenth century. 
3. In most villages, furnaces  could not be used and the amount of iron produced came down. 
4.  With the new forest laws the colonial government prevented people from entering the reserved forests, making it difficult for the iron smelters to find wood for charcoal.  Thus,  they could not get iron ore. 
5. Smelters could not sustain their occupation.
6. Many gave up their craft and looked for other means of livelihood. 
7. In some areas the government did grant access to the forest. But the iron smelter had to  pay a very high tax to the forest department for every furnace they based. This reduced  their income by the late 19th  century iron and steel was being imported from Britain. 
8. Iron smiths in India began using the imported iron to manufacture utensils and  implements. This lowered the demand for iron produced by local smelter.
9. In the 20th century, iron and steel industries were developed in India,we may give example of TISCO that came up in 1912.
10. During the course of Ist World war, British iron and steel import into India were severely effected , which gave a boost to Indian manufactured iron and steel .
11. This  gave an impetus to Indian industries.

Regards