All was not well

3.1.6 All was not well

Description

Quick Overview

The East India Company's attempt to administer Bengal faced severe challenges, resulting in an economic crisis and widespread discontent among peasants and artisans.

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This section discusses the East India Company's role as the Diwan of Bengal and the subsequent economic crisis that ensued due to oppressive revenue policies. The Permanent Settlement and its effects on zamindars and peasants are explored, along with the introduction of indigo cultivation and the eventual revolt of the ryots against oppressive practices.

Detailed

All Was Not Well

The East India Company became the Diwan of Bengal in 1765, taking on the role of chief financial administrator. While wanting to maintain high revenue for trade needs, the Company hesitated to set up a structured revenue collection system. A significant increase in revenue was seen, but not without consequences. The Bengal economy faced crisis as artisans fled and peasants struggled to meet high revenue demands. The 1770 famine devastated the populace, killing millions.

Recognizing the need for agricultural improvement, the Company introduced the Permanent Settlement in 1793, which aimed to stabilize revenues by fixing zamindar taxes permanently. However, this approach failed to foster agricultural productivity or zamindar investment and led to numerous defaults on revenue payments, pushing many zamindars to auction off their lands. Other systems like Mahalwari and Ryotwari were developed to address these issues but soon also faced challenges. Ultimately, increasing demands and oppressive practices led to the revolt of indigo cultivators in 1859, marking a significant backlash against the Company's exploitative policies.

Key Concepts

  • Economic Crisis: The state of Bengal faced a significant economic downturn due to oppressive taxation and trade policies of the East India Company.

  • Oppression of Peasants: Ryots were burdened with high rents and loans, leading to widespread discontent and rebellions.

  • Indigo Production: The push for indigo cultivation represented the Company’s monetary interests, often at the expense of sustainable agricultural practices.

Memory Aids

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In Bengal’s fields where ryots toil, / High taxes made their efforts spoil. / They worked for indigo, but rice they’d lose, / In fighting for their rights, they’d not refuse.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once in Bengal, the ryots were proud farmers, cultivating rice. But then, under the rule of the East India Company, they were pressured into growing indigo and saw their livelihoods crumble, leading them to unite and demand justice.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • R.I.S.E. - Revenue, Indigo, Settlement, Exploitation: Key issues faced by ryots.

🎯 Super Acronyms

C.R.I.S.I.S. - Collect revenue, Raise demands, Igniting dissatisfaction, Sowing unrest.

Examples

  • The Permanent Settlement that set a fixed revenue amount led to zamindars auctioning off lands when they couldn't meet the demands.

  • The Indigo Revolt of 1859 illustrated how farmers could unite against oppressive conditions imposed by the British planters.

Glossary of Terms

  • Term: Diwan

    Definition:

    A title for the chief financial administrator in a region, particularly in the context of the East India Company.

  • Term: Permanent Settlement

    Definition:

    A revenue system established in 1793 that fixed land revenue permanently, aiming to stabilize income for the Company.

  • Term: Ryot

    Definition:

    A peasant or cultivator in India, especially under British rule.

  • Term: Zamindar

    Definition:

    A landowner or landlord responsible for collecting taxes from ryots under the Permanent Settlement.

  • Term: Indigo

    Definition:

    A plant used as a source for blue dye, which saw increased cultivation under British rule due to demand in Europe.