<P> Gomastha (also spelled Gumastha or Gumasta, Persian: agent) described an Indian agent of the British East India Company employed in the Company's colonies, to sign bonds, usually compellingly, by local weavers and artisans to deliver goods to the Company . The prices of the goods were fixed by the gomasthas . The goods were exported by the Company to Europe and America . A gomastha may also be described as' a paid manager of the private trader's concerns', who claimed' hardly any share in the profit and loss of his employer's business' . </P> <P> In the 18th century, the East India Company had established itself in India . Indian cotton and silk fabrics were in great demand worldwide and hence were of special interest to them . It proceeded to develop a system of management and control that would eliminate competition, control costs, and ensure regular supplies of cotton and silk goods . Given the small number of Englishmen, and their unfamiliarity with the local language and society, the Company turned to local intermediaries, and gave them legal authority to enforce contracts . The Company tried to eliminate the existing traders and brokers connected with the cloth trade, and establish a more direct control over the weaver . For this purpose they appointed paid servants called the gomasthas were employed who would obtain goods and from local weavers and fix their prices . The prices fixed were 15 per cent lower than market price and in extreme cases, even 40 per cent lower than the market price . They would also supervise weavers, collect supplies, and examine the quality of cloth . They also prevented Company weavers from dealing with other buyers . </P>

Who were gomasthas why did east india company appoint them
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