Option b is correct

• The Tinkathia system was an arrangement in Champaran that forced peasants to grow indigo on 3/20 part of their land. The Planters followed illegal means of indigo farming on land holding of farmers.
• The first satyagraha of Gandhi in India, Champaran Satyagraha, was undertaken against this exploitative agricultural arrangement. Rajkumar Shukla requested Gandhi to look into the problem of farmers of Champaran. Later, Gandhi convinced local authorities about the injustice caused by the Tinkathia system.

The Tinkathia System in Indian History

The Tinkathia System, in the context of Indian history, refers to a system where Indian peasants were forced to grow indigo on a part of their land. This system was implemented during the colonial period by the British East India Company.

Introduction

During the 19th century, indigo was in high demand in Europe due to its use in the textile industry. The British, who had established their rule in India, saw this as an opportunity to exploit the local peasants and generate revenue for themselves. The Tinkathia System was one such method employed by the British to force Indian peasants into cultivating indigo.

Implementation of the Tinkathia System

Under the Tinkathia System, the British planters forced the Indian peasants to allocate a certain portion of their land for indigo cultivation. The peasants were required to grow indigo and provide it to the British planters at a fixed price. The term "tinkathia" refers to the division of land into three parts, with one part dedicated to indigo cultivation.

Impact on Indian Peasants

The Tinkathia System had several negative consequences for Indian peasants:

1. Exploitation: The peasants were forced to grow indigo against their will and were not allowed to cultivate crops for their own consumption. This led to a lack of food security and increased poverty among the peasants.

2. Low wages: The British planters paid very low prices for the indigo produced by the peasants. This further added to the economic hardship faced by the peasants.

3. Indebtedness: Many peasants had to take loans from the British planters to meet their basic needs. They were trapped in a cycle of debt, as the low wages they received were not enough to repay the loans.

4. Environmental impact: Indigo cultivation required large quantities of water and depleted the fertility of the soil. This resulted in environmental degradation and reduced agricultural productivity in the long run.

Resistance and Abolition

The Tinkathia System faced widespread resistance from the Indian peasants. They organized protests, strikes, and boycotts against the British planters. The most notable resistance movement against the Tinkathia System was the Indigo Revolt of 1859-1860, led by leaders like Dinabandhu Mitra and Rajni Kanta Bose.

Due to the persistent resistance and growing awareness of the exploitative nature of the system, the Tinkathia System was eventually abolished. The British government passed the Indigo Commission Act in 1860, which put an end to the forced cultivation of indigo and provided some relief to the peasants.

Conclusion

The Tinkathia System was a cruel and exploitative practice imposed by the British on Indian peasants. It not only had severe economic implications but also had a detrimental impact on the social and environmental fabric of rural India. The resistance and eventual abolition of the system highlight the resilience and determination of the Indian peasants in their struggle against colonial exploitation.