132 The Early Beginnings of Indigo. 



Company thought it necessary and proper again to 

 support the industry, by advancing money on the 

 security of the produce to the amount of nearly a 

 million sterling. This enabled the growing indigo 

 industry to go on successfully, while it tempted many 

 to engage in it, the result of which was a great exten- 

 sion of factories. 



The marked advance of the indigo trade achieved 

 by the exertions of European cultivators, has been 

 justly adduced as a proof of the superior energy of 

 individual industry ; the early fostering care and 

 substantial support of the East India Company should 

 not, however, be forgotten. 



Previous to 1783, several factories were established, 

 and a considerable quantity of indigo produced, and 

 from that period it progressively increased. In 1783 

 the export from Bengal to Great Britain was only 

 about from 1,200 to 1,300 maunds. At the same 

 time, the importation of indigo into England from 

 other countries, was upwards of ten times as much as 

 that quantity. The Court of Directors in the letter, 

 dated 22nd April 1789, to the Bengal Government, 

 say : " We are in hopes, the measure of laying open 

 this (indigo) trade will be attended with the good 

 effects expected to result therefrom, and that hereafter 

 it may become a permanent and advantageous article 

 of commercial remittance, as well to the benefit 



