Who were the outsiders being referred to as dikus and how did they ens...
Dikus included the zamindars , moneylenders and the Britishers. They had enslaved the people by introducing harsh methods of collecting revenue from them and taking away their land forcibly. The common people lost all their rights to forests and were now just tenants under the British.
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Who were the outsiders being referred to as dikus and how did they ens...
Introduction:
The term "dikus" refers to the outsiders or colonial rulers who came to India during the colonial period. These dikus, primarily the British, had a significant impact on the Indian subcontinent. They not only exploited the region's resources but also enslaved the people through various means.
The Exploitation of Resources:
The dikus viewed India as a land rich in resources and sought to exploit them for their own benefit. They established colonial rule and implemented policies that favored their own economic interests. The British East India Company, for example, monopolized trade and controlled the production and export of goods such as textiles, indigo, and salt. This led to the impoverishment of local industries and craftsmen.
Land Revenue System:
One of the key ways in which the dikus enslaved the people was through the land revenue system. They introduced the Permanent Settlement system in Bengal, which required landowners to pay a fixed amount of revenue to the colonial government. This system put immense pressure on the farmers, as they had to produce enough to meet the revenue demands while also sustaining themselves. Failure to pay the revenue led to the confiscation of land, further exacerbating the exploitation.
Indigo Cultivation and Forced Labor:
The dikus also enforced the cultivation of indigo, a cash crop, which further oppressed the farmers. The British landlords coerced the peasants into growing indigo instead of food crops, leading to food shortages and famine. Moreover, the farmers were subjected to draconian rules and regulations, often resulting in forced labor and harsh punishments for non-compliance.
Exploitation of Natural Resources:
The dikus exploited the natural resources of the region, such as timber, minerals, and precious stones. They established mining operations and extracted these resources without regard for the environmental impact or the welfare of the local population. This further deepened the economic and ecological exploitation of the region.
Conclusion:
The dikus, primarily the British, enslaved the people of the region through various means such as the exploitation of resources, the implementation of the land revenue system, forced labor, and the extraction of natural resources. These actions resulted in the economic and social oppression of the indigenous population and contributed to the overall subjugation of the Indian subcontinent during the colonial period.
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