Why did the tribals saw the moneylenders and traders as evil outsiders...
Moneylenders, Hindu landlords and the British officials were considered dikus or the outsiders. The tribals were under the slavery of these outsiders. Hence they wished to free them from their (outsiders) slavery. They viewed dikus as the sole cause of their misery and sufferings. Tribal groups often needed to buy and sell in under to be able to get the goods that were not produced within the locality. This led to their difference on traders and moneylanders. Traders came around with things for sale, and sold the goods at high prices. Moneylenders gave loans with which the tribals met their cash needs, adding to what they earned. But the interest charged on the loans was usually very high. So for the tribals, market and commerce often meant debt and poverty. They therefore came to see the moneylender and trader as evil outsiders and the cause of their misery.
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Why did the tribals saw the moneylenders and traders as evil outsiders...
Introduction:
The tribals saw moneylenders and traders as evil outsiders and the cause of their misery primarily because they were trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty due to the exploitative practices of these outsiders. Let's delve into the reasons behind this perception in detail.
Explanation:
1. Exploitative labor practices:
- Tribals were often forced to work as laborers for the traders and moneylenders, which made them feel enslaved and oppressed.
- They had to toil under harsh working conditions and were paid meager wages, keeping them in a perpetual state of poverty.
2. Unequal exchange of goods:
- Tribals were frequently compelled to sell the goods they produced to the traders at unfair prices.
- Due to their lack of knowledge about market prices and limited access to alternative buyers, they were exploited and received very little for their products.
- As a result, they were left without sufficient food and other essential resources, leading to a cycle of deprivation.
3. Debt trap:
- Tribals often had to borrow money from moneylenders to meet their basic needs or purchase goods from the traders.
- The moneylenders charged exorbitant interest rates, making it difficult for the tribals to repay the loans.
- They were trapped in a cycle of indebtedness, as they had to borrow more money to repay the previous loans, leading to a perpetual state of poverty.
4. Lack of control over resources:
- Tribals considered themselves as forest people, relying on their traditional way of life and sustainable use of resources.
- The intrusion of moneylenders and traders disrupted their self-sufficient lifestyle and undermined their control over resources.
- They resented the interference of these outsiders in their affairs, as it disrupted their social and cultural fabric.
Conclusion:
The perception of moneylenders and traders as evil outsiders among tribals was largely shaped by their experiences of exploitation, unequal exchange, and the resulting cycle of debt and poverty. These factors led to a deep-rooted mistrust and resentment towards the outsiders, as they were seen as the cause of the tribals' misery and deprivation.
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