1859 - First mill in Ahmedabad floated by Shri Ranchhodlal Chhotalal (after 12 years of struggle). It was a small mill containing 2500 throstle spindles, and employed 63 workers.

1861 - The mill, The Ahmedabad Cotton Mill, started working on May 30th.

1871 - Inspired by the success of the first mill, second mill was built in Ahmedabad by Rai Bahadur Bechardas Ambaidas.

1875 - The Millowners’ Association, Bombay, was started.

1877 - Third mill in Ahmedabad was established by Jamnabhai Mansukhbhai. - Another mill by Ranchhodlal Chhotalal.

1891 1893 - The Millowners’ Association, Ahmedabad, formed. - Imposition of excise duty by British Government on Indian-made cloth. Was strongly resented by workers as well as owners.

1906 - Countrywide Swadeshi movement. Maskati Cloth Market Association was formed.

1909 - Indian Council Act published, under which Bombay Millowners’ Association was entitled to elect a representative to the Bombay legislative council alternatively with the Ahmedabad Millowners’ Association.

1914 - Commencement of World War I resulting in stoppage of mill building in Bombay.

1915 - Bombay cotton mills commenced working with electric power supplied by Tata Hydroelectric works.

1916 - A prosperous year for the industry. A 10 percent increase in wages as war bonus was sanctioned.

1917 - Birth of labor movement in Ahmedabad.

1918 - First strike of workers of weaving department on the issue of bonus. Workers were led by Gandhiji. Talks between Gandhi and Kasturbhai as representative of the owners.

1919 - First trade union of Mill workers in Bombay, and formation of Girni Kamgar Sangh. Strike for bonus by Bombay mill workers lasted 8 weeks in 1924. Bombay Textile Labour Union formed in 1926.

1922 - In Ahmedabad, a strike of workers of all mills in support of demand for bonus.

1923 - The Bombay Millowners’ Association demanded the repeal of excise duty, which was, eventually abolished 1926.- Strike in Ahmedabad following 20% reduction in wages, owing to the deteriorating condition of the industry. This lasted over two months. Finally workers returned to work accepting 15 5/8 % reduction. They demanded restoration of wages in 1929.

1925 - Workmen’s compensation act came into force. A year of heavy loss to the industry.

1930 - AMOA organised a “Swadeshi Sabha”. Mills that joined Swadeshi Sabha stopped using imported yarn or stores materials, used only yarn spun in India. Flouters were fined heavily. Indian National Congress, under Motilal Nehru, officially recognised activities of Swadeshi Sabha, despite protest by Majoor Mahajan.·

1933 - AMOA undertook to provide 1000 tenements for industrial housing.

1936 - Depression - a critical year for the industry in Ahmedabad.1937- Payment of Wages Act came into force.

1938 - Industrial Disputes Act enacted.

1939- Germany declared war on 3rd September

1940 - A general strike in Bombay mills lasted for 40 days while peace prevailed in Ahmedabad.

1941 - Mills closed to paralyse British war efforts. One lakh textile workers sent to their villages for 3 months. Though workers didn’t receive wages for “strike” period, several welfare agencies helped with food and money.

1942 - ‘Quit India’ movement. Workers returned, worked voluntarily for 3 ½ months.

1943 - 60 percent of the total production were devoted to war orders.

1945 - World War II came to an end. Twice in the year mills closed for want of coal.

1947 - Indian Independence. Ahmedabad workers were paid one month’s pay as ‘Azadi’ bonus. - Communal riots affected textile centres like Bombay and Kanpur. - Taxation of Income Act came into force.

1948- Minimum wage was fixed in the industry.

1949 - Central Excise duty imposed on superfine cloth. - The industry accumulated huge stocks.

1950- Setback in cotton textile production. - Foundation stone of ATIRA building laid.

1951- Notice of closure put up in a number of mills all over the country, yet the production figures stood high.

1952- Additional excise duty levied to develop the khadi and handloom industry. - Restriction on the production of dhotis in mills to safeguard the interest of handloom industry.

1953- Bombay Labour Welfare Fund Act enacted. - ATIRA inaugurated by Prime Minister Nehru.

1957- Gratuity Award by Industrial Court, Bombay, for textile workers of Ahmedabad. - Central Sales Tax Act came into force.

1958- Metric system introduced in the textile industry.1960 - The State of Gujarat formed.

1961- Centenary of the Ahmedabad textile mill industry celebrated. Centenary Exhibition inaugurated by Prime Minister Nehru. - Excise duty on cloth increased substantially.

1964- E.S.I. Scheme implemented in Ahmedabad. 1965- Payment of Bonus Act enacted.

1966- Crisis in Ahmedabad textile industry.

1967- Committee set up to access the working of weak textile mills in Gujarat by State Government.

1968- National Textile Corporation set up.

Source: Memento presented to Kasturbhai Lalbhai