What is meant by the term 'Industrial Revolution'? Mention any three reasons that led to the beginning of Industrial Revolution in England.

Industrial Revolution refers to all the changes that took place in the field of industry during the second half of the 18^th century and the first half of the 19^th century bringing about a transition from hand work to machine work and from domestic system to factory system of production.

Three reasons that led to the beginning of Industrial Revolution in England are:

1. After the Renaissance and the Reformation, the Englishmen began to enjoy the freedom of thought and expression. British scientists made a large number of inventions that helped in finding new methods of production in different fields.
2. England got raw materials for her factories cheaply from her large number of colonies. These colonies also served as a market for their products.
3. England had plentiful deposits of iron and coal. The iron was used in making machines and coal provided cheap fuel.