The correct option is (a) 1 only.
Explanation
Cloth manufacturing was a primary industry in the economy of early India. Historical records, including the Arthashastra and Sangam literature, highlight specific regional centers renowned for textile production and describe the labor composition within these industries.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Varanasi in the north and Madurai in the south were well-established and famous centers for cloth manufacture. Madurai, a capital city during the Sangam Age, was particularly noted for its fine textiles, as was Varanasi for its cotton and silk.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The textile industry was not restricted to male laborers. Ancient texts, such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra, provide specific regulations for the Superintendent of Weaving to employ women-including widows, differently-abled women, and retired servants-in spinning and weaving activities. Thus, women played a significant role in production.
Key Takeaway: Varanasi and Madurai were major hubs for textile production in early India, and the industry employed a mixed workforce of both men and women.