The britishers forced Indian farmers to grow indigo because indigo planting became more and more commercially profitable because of the demand for blue dye in Europe... The indigo planters persuaded the peasants to plant indigo instead of food crops.

Why did the British want to grow the ‘indigo plant’ in India?

The cultivation and production of indigo in India was a major industry during the British colonial period. The British wanted to grow the indigo plant in India for several reasons.

1. Demand in Europe:

Indigo was a highly valued product in Europe, where it was used to dye textiles. The demand for indigo was high, and the British saw an opportunity to profit from the industry by growing the plant in India, where the climate was ideal for its cultivation.

2. Competition with other European countries:

The British faced competition from other European colonizers who were also interested in growing indigo in their colonies. The French, Dutch, and Spanish were all vying for a share of the indigo market, and the British saw India as a way to gain a competitive advantage.

3. Cheap labor:

The British found India to be a source of cheap labor. They used the system of indentured labor, which involved forcing farmers to grow indigo on their land, instead of crops that they could consume or sell. The farmers were paid very little for their labor, and were heavily taxed by the British.

4. Control over the Indian economy:

By controlling the production of indigo in India, the British were able to exert greater control over the Indian economy. They could dictate the prices at which indigo was sold, and could use their control of the industry to influence other sectors of the Indian economy.

5. Political and strategic reasons:

The British also saw the cultivation of indigo in India as a way to strengthen their political and strategic position in the region. By controlling the production of a valuable commodity, they could exert greater influence over local rulers and gain a foothold in areas that were rich in resources.

In conclusion, the British wanted to grow the indigo plant in India for economic, political, and strategic reasons. The industry was profitable for the British, and helped them to exert greater control over the Indian economy and society.