(i) Gomastha were paid servants who were appointed by the East India Company to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth.
(ii) Clash between gomasthas and weavers:
There were frequent clashes between Gomasthas and weavers in the villages because of the following reasons :
(i) Earlier supply merchants often belonged to the same villages and had a close relationship with the weavers.
(ii) The comPany'* appointed Gomasthas were outsiders, with no long-term social link with the villagers.
(iii) They acted arrogantly, marched into villages with sepoys and peons and punished weavers for delays.
(iv) The weavers could no longer bargain for prices or sell to other buyers in place of the British who paid them low wages
(v) In many places, Camatic (Karnataka) and Bengal weavers deserted villages, migrated or revolted weavers deserted villages migrated or revolted along with the village traders.
