(i) The Gomasthas were appointed by the British to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth. (ii) As time passed, New Gomasthas who were outside and did not have any long term social link with the village acted arrogantly with the villagers, marched into the village with sepoys and peons and punished weavers for delays in supply-often beating and flogging them. This was an act which was very similar to the manner in which the British dealt with defaulters. In this manner Gomasthas became good partners in British management.