Correct Option
The correct option is (c).
Explanation
During the medieval and early modern periods (13th–17th centuries), the European textile industry required dyes for coloring cloth. While Indian indigo produced a rich blue color, European manufacturers largely relied on a locally grown plant called woad due to geographical and economic constraints associated with importing goods from the East.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Indigo was not unknown to Europe during this period. It had been imported from India since ancient times (Greco-Roman era). However, it was primarily considered a luxury item and was available only in very limited quantities.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Woad is a plant suited to temperate zones, making it easily cultivable across Europe. Major cultivation centers included northern Italy, southern France, and parts of Germany and Britain. Its local availability made it the primary source of blue dye for European manufacturers.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Before the establishment of direct sea routes by the Portuguese, indigo reached Europe through complex trade networks involving Arab merchants. Consequently, supplies were small and prices were extremely high. Furthermore, European woad producers pressured their governments to restrict indigo imports, claiming it was a competitor, which further limited its use.
Key Takeaway
Woad was the dominant blue dye in medieval Europe because it was locally grown in temperate climates, whereas Indigo was a superior but expensive import from India, restricted by high costs and protectionist policies until the expansion of colonial trade.