Ruling The Countryside, History, Class 8 -Test - Class 8 MCQ

One-third of the population was wiped out from Bengal because of a terrible famine:

• Famine: A severe famine occurred in Bengal, leading to a significant loss of life. This famine was a result of several factors, including natural disasters and human-made policies.


• Natural Disasters: Bengal faced a series of natural disasters, including droughts and floods, which severely affected agricultural productivity. These disasters led to crop failures and a shortage of food supply.


• Human-made Policies: The British colonial administration in Bengal implemented policies that exacerbated the impact of the famine. They continued to export food grains from Bengal to meet the demands of the British Empire, leading to a scarcity of food for the local population.


• Impact: As a result of the famine, a significant portion of the population in Bengal lost their lives. The exact number is difficult to determine, but it is estimated that around one-third of the population perished during this period.


• Social and Economic Consequences: The famine had devastating social and economic consequences for Bengal. Many families lost their livelihoods and were forced to migrate in search of food and work. The already impoverished population faced further hardships, and the region's economy suffered a severe setback.

In conclusion, Bengal experienced a terrible famine that resulted in the loss of one-third of its population. This famine was caused by a combination of natural disasters and human-made policies, such as the export of food grains. The social and economic consequences of the famine were devastating for the region.

The Mahalwari System was devised by Holt Mackenzie. Here is a detailed explanation:
Introduction:
The Mahalwari System was a land revenue settlement system introduced in British India during the colonial rule. It was one of the several systems implemented by the British to collect land revenue from the Indian peasants.
Devise of the Mahalwari System:
The Mahalwari System was devised by Holt Mackenzie, who served as the Commissioner of the Delhi territory in the early 19th century. He introduced this system in 1822.
Key Features of the Mahalwari System:
The Mahalwari System had several key features, which included:
1. Village as the unit: The village was considered as the unit of revenue assessment and collection under this system. The revenue demand was imposed on the entire village community collectively.
2. Joint responsibility: The revenue demand was the collective responsibility of all the village communities. The village headman, known as the Lambardar, was responsible for collecting and paying the revenue on behalf of the villagers.
3. Fixed revenue demand: Under the Mahalwari System, a fixed revenue demand was imposed on the village communities. This demand remained fixed for a certain period, usually 30 years, after which it could be revised.
4. Land ownership: The Mahalwari System recognized the individual ownership of land within the village. The villagers had the right to own, transfer, and inherit land within the boundaries of their village.
5. Increase in revenue: If the village population increased or new cultivated land was brought under cultivation, the revenue demand could be increased accordingly.
Significance of the Mahalwari System:
The Mahalwari System was considered to be a relatively fair and just system compared to some of the other revenue settlement systems introduced by the British in India. It recognized the individual rights of the villagers and provided a sense of ownership over their lands.
However, it had its limitations and drawbacks. The fixed revenue demand often led to exploitation by the British officials, and the burden of revenue collection fell heavily on the village communities. Additionally, the revenue demand could be increased without considering the economic conditions of the villagers.
Overall, the Mahalwari System played a significant role in shaping the land revenue administration in British India and had a lasting impact on the agricultural practices and landownership patterns in the country.

The ryots were:
- Cultivators: The ryots were primarily cultivators, meaning they were engaged in agricultural activities and were responsible for cultivating crops on their land.
- Zamindars: The ryots were not zamindars. Zamindars were the landlords or landowners who held significant power and control over the land. Ryots, on the other hand, were the ones who worked on the land owned by zamindars or other landowners.
- Traders: The ryots were not traders. Traders are individuals who engage in buying and selling goods or commodities. While some ryots may have participated in small-scale trading activities, their primary occupation was agriculture.
- Money-lenders: The ryots were not money-lenders. Money-lenders are individuals who lend money to others in exchange for interest. While some ryots may have borrowed money from money-lenders, they were not primarily engaged in money-lending themselves.
Overall, the ryots were cultivators who worked on the land and were responsible for growing crops. They were an essential part of the agricultural system and played a crucial role in food production.

The Indigo Commission and its Findings
The Indigo Commission was established to investigate and examine the system of indigo production in India during the British colonial period. After conducting a thorough inquiry, the Commission reached its conclusions regarding the parties responsible for the issues surrounding indigo production. The Commission held the following guilty:
1. The Planters:
- The Commission found the planters, who were the European indigo cultivators, responsible for various unfair practices in the indigo industry.
- The planters were accused of exploiting the indigenous farmers, known as ryots, by imposing harsh and unjust contracts.
- They were found guilty of using coercion, deceit, and other unethical means to force the ryots into cultivating indigo against their will.
2. The Government:
- The Commission also held the British colonial government responsible for the problems in the indigo production system.
- The government was criticized for its lack of regulation and oversight, which allowed the planters to engage in exploitative practices.
- The Commission found that the government did not take adequate measures to protect the interests of the ryots or ensure fair treatment in the indigo industry.
3. Both (a) and (b):
- Ultimately, the Indigo Commission concluded that both the planters and the government were collectively responsible for the injustices and problems in the indigo production system.
- The planters' exploitation of the ryots was enabled by the government's failure to regulate and intervene.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option C: The planters were found guilty by the Indigo Commission. However, it is important to note that the government also shared responsibility for the issues surrounding indigo production, as highlighted by the Commission's findings.

Explanation:
The collapse of the indigo production in Bengal led the planters to shift their operations to other regions. Bihar became one of the main destinations for the planters to continue their indigo production. Here is a detailed explanation:
1. Reason for the shift:
- The collapse of indigo production in Bengal was mainly due to the increasing resistance by the indigo farmers against the exploitative indigo planters.
- The farmers in Bengal refused to grow indigo and demanded higher prices for their produce.
- This led the planters to search for alternative regions to continue their indigo production.
2. Choice of Bihar:
- Bihar was chosen as an alternative region for indigo production due to its favorable climatic conditions and availability of suitable land.
- The region had fertile soil and a good amount of rainfall, which were ideal for indigo cultivation.
3. Impact on Bihar:
- The shift of indigo production to Bihar had significant consequences for the region.
- Large tracts of land in Bihar were converted into indigo plantations, leading to the displacement of local farmers and disruption of traditional agricultural practices.
- The planters employed coercive methods to force the farmers to grow indigo, leading to widespread protests and resistance.
4. Historical significance:
- The shift of indigo production from Bengal to Bihar marked a significant change in the dynamics of the indigo industry in India.
- It highlighted the exploitation and oppression faced by the indigo farmers and contributed to the growth of the indigo revolt and the broader peasant movements against the British colonial rule.
In conclusion, the collapse of indigo production in Bengal led the planters to shift their operations to Bihar. This shift had significant consequences for the region and played a crucial role in shaping the history of the indigo industry in India.

Statement: Indigo could be cultivated only on fertile lands.

True

Explanation:

• Indigo is a tropical plant known for its blue dye.


• Cultivating indigo requires specific conditions and fertile lands.


• Fertile lands have the necessary nutrients and moisture content required for the growth of indigo plants.


• If the soil is not fertile, the indigo plants may not receive adequate nutrition and may not grow properly.


• Therefore, indigo cultivation is typically limited to fertile lands where the plants can thrive.


• Attempting to cultivate indigo on infertile lands may result in low yields or even failure of the crop.

Based on these points, the statement "Indigo could be cultivated only on fertile lands" is true.

Explanation:
The statement claims that Indigo was easily available in Europe. To determine the accuracy of this claim, let's analyze the historical context of Indigo availability in Europe.
1. Indigo Origin:
- Indigo is a natural blue dye that was historically derived from plants, primarily the Indigofera tinctoria plant.
- The cultivation and use of indigo dye originated in the Indian subcontinent and spread to various parts of the world, including Europe.
2. Indigo Trade:
- During the 16th and 17th centuries, European traders, particularly the Dutch and British, established trade routes to import indigo from India and other regions.
- The demand for indigo in Europe increased during this period due to its use in textile dyeing.
3. Accessibility in Europe:
- Indigo availability in Europe was influenced by factors such as trade routes, market demand, and colonial presence.
- Initially, indigo may have been relatively expensive and limited to the upper classes.
- However, as trade expanded and production methods improved, indigo became more accessible to a broader population.
4. Historical Importance:
- Indigo played a significant role in European textile industries, particularly during the Industrial Revolution.
- The development of synthetic indigo in the late 19th century further increased its accessibility and availability.
Conclusion:
Based on the historical context, we can conclude that the statement is false. While indigo was available in Europe, its accessibility and availability varied over time and were influenced by factors such as trade, market demand, and technological advancements.

Thomas Munro was the Governor of Madras. so option B is correct.

Introduction:
The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Zamindari System, was introduced by the British in India in 1793. While it aimed to fix the revenue collection system, it created numerous problems for the people of India.
Key Problems:
1. Exploitation of Farmers: The Permanent Settlement placed the responsibility of revenue collection on the Zamindars (landlords) who had the power to extract high rents from the farmers. This led to the exploitation of farmers, as they had to pay a fixed amount of revenue regardless of their crop yield or income.
2. Increased Landlessness: The Zamindars often resorted to evicting farmers for non-payment of rents, leading to an increase in landlessness and displacement of the rural population. This further exacerbated poverty and social unrest.
3. Disruption of Agriculture: The fixed revenue demanded by the Zamindars put immense pressure on the farmers to produce cash crops, such as indigo and opium, instead of food crops. This disrupted the traditional agricultural practices and caused food shortages in many regions.
4. Decline in Infrastructure: The revenue collected through the Permanent Settlement was primarily used by the Zamindars for personal luxuries, rather than investing in infrastructure development. As a result, roads, irrigation systems, and other public amenities deteriorated, hindering economic growth.
5. No Incentive for Improvement: Since the revenue demand remained fixed for a prolonged period, there was no incentive for the Zamindars to invest in the improvement of land or provide necessary facilities to the farmers. This resulted in the stagnation of agricultural productivity.
6. Intermediaries' Dominance: The Zamindars acted as intermediaries between the British government and the farmers. Their dominance in the revenue collection process created a corrupt system where bribes and exploitation were rampant.
7. Impact on Peasant Revolts: The grievances arising from the Permanent Settlement system led to several peasant revolts across India, such as the Indigo Revolt and the Santhal Rebellion. These revolts were a direct result of the problems caused by the exploitative nature of the settlement.
Conclusion:
The Permanent Settlement, though aimed at streamlining revenue collection, created numerous problems for the people of India. It led to the exploitation of farmers, increased landlessness, disrupted agriculture, hindered infrastructure development, and resulted in widespread social unrest. The negative impact of the Permanent Settlement highlights the need for equitable and sustainable land reforms.

Explanation:
The statement suggests that the Bengal economy boomed after the Company was appointed as Diwan of that province. However, this statement is false. Here's why:
- The Company being referred to is likely the British East India Company, which was appointed as the Diwan (tax collector) of Bengal in 1765.
- The appointment of the Company as Diwan did not lead to an economic boom in Bengal. In fact, it had the opposite effect.
- The British East India Company implemented exploitative policies and taxation systems in Bengal, which led to economic decline and widespread impoverishment.
- The Company imposed heavy taxes on agricultural produce, resulting in the destruction of the local economy.
- Additionally, the Company's policies led to the deindustrialization of Bengal, as they focused on exporting raw materials from India and importing finished goods from Britain.
- This further worsened the economic situation in Bengal as local industries were not able to compete with the cheap imported goods.
- The Company's policies also contributed to the Bengal Famine of 1770, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people.
Therefore, the claim that the Bengal economy boomed after the Company was appointed as Diwan is false. The Company's actions had detrimental effects on the economy of Bengal.