Cottage industries in India have a great contribution to Indian economy. But these industries started developing from the very ancient time. The objectives of the present paper are to trace the origin and development of cottage industries in India. This work is based on the research work of the author. Various manuscripts, monographs and classic books as primary sources are the basis of the research work. The work highlights how the industries developed gradually till achieving the Independence in India. The market of cottage goods in foreign countries has been studied in a lucid manner. Reasons behind the decline of the industries during the first three decades of the nineteenth century have been traced under the study. The study concludes that the ancient cottage industries helped India to establish trade relations with foreign countries. The mills and the factories were not in existence in any part of India in early days.
Ancient India, British rule, Christian era, Cottage industries, India, medieval India, origin of cottage industries, trade relation
