. Earlier, supply merchants belonged to the same village and looked after the needs of weavers. . The new ‘gomasthas’ were outsiders, with no social links with villagers. . They acted arrogantly and sometimes punished weavers for delay in supply. . Prices received from the company were miserably low. . Loans tied them to the British company. . In many places, weavers deserted villages and migrated to other places for setting up their own looms.