Test: Ruling the Countryside - UPSC MCQ

During the Indigo Rebellion of 1859, intellectuals from Calcutta played a crucial role by documenting and publicizing the suffering of the ryots (tenant farmers) and the oppression imposed by the planters. Here's why option B is the correct answer:
- They raised awareness about the plight of the ryots.
- By publicizing the tyranny of the planters, they brought attention to the unjust practices in the indigo industry.
- Their efforts helped in garnering support for the oppressed ryots and contributed to the eventual resolution of the rebellion.

The agricultural product primarily grown on the best soils in Bengal, leading to conflicts between planters and peasants, was Indigo

• Indigo was in high demand for its use in dyeing textiles.
• European planters forced peasants to grow Indigo instead of food crops.
• The cultivation process was exploitative and financially burdensome for peasants.
• This led to widespread dissatisfaction and eventually the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60.

Planters faced difficulties in expanding nij cultivation of indigo because fertile lands suitable for indigo cultivation were already densely populated, making it hard to acquire large, compact blocks of land.

The high revenue demand under the ryotwari system led to peasants being unable to pay, resulting in many ryots fleeing the countryside, causing villages to become deserted in many regions.

The eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal after the revolt was primarily due to:

• The discovery of synthetic dyes: Synthetic dyes were cheaper and easier to produce than natural indigo, leading to a decline in demand for natural indigo.
• This technological advancement rendered natural indigo production economically unviable and contributed significantly to the decline of indigo production in Bengal post the revolt.

The Great Bengal Famine of 1770 was a famine between 1769 and 1773 that affected the lower Gangetic plain of India from Bihar to the Bengal region. The famine is estimated have killed about 10 million people in Bengal.

Under the ryoti system, planters forced ryots to sign contracts to grow indigo, providing them with cash advances but binding them to cultivate indigo on a portion of their land, often leading to exploitation and financial distress for the ryots.

On 12th August 1765, the Mughal emperor appointed the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal. As Diwan, the company became the chief financial administrator of the territory under its control.The company could now administer the land and revenue resources of Bengal and could utilize the revenue to meet the expanses of the Company.

The Mahalwari settlement aimed to preserve the village as an important social institution by making the village (mahal) the revenue unit and assigning the village headman the responsibility of revenue collection.

During the early 19th century crisis in Bengal's economy, the Company addressed it by:
- Encouraging investment in land and focusing on improving agriculture.
- This approach aimed to boost agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable economic growth.
- By promoting land investment and agricultural improvements, the Company sought to stabilize the economy and enhance the living conditions of the people.
- This strategy helped in fostering economic development and addressing the challenges faced by Bengal at that time.

The rajas and taluqdars were recognised as zamindars. They were asked to collect rent from the peasants and pay revenue to the Company.

The consequence of the high revenue demand fixed under the Permanent Settlement for peasants was:
D: Inability to pay rent leading to evictions

• Peasants faced high fixed revenue demands, often exceeding their capacity.
• Failure to meet these demands led to indebtedness and eventual eviction.
• This system disadvantaged peasants, as they couldn't adapt to fluctuating agricultural conditions.
• Evictions further marginalized them, perpetuating cycles of poverty and land loss.

The Indigo Rebellion drew significant attention to the plight of the ryots, leading to increased support for them against the oppressive practices of the planters and eventually the formation of the Indigo Commission to investigate the situation.