Detailed Summary
This section delves into the historical role of indigo dye in the textile industry, particularly its significance in both Indian and British contexts. Indigo was produced from the indigo plant, which thrived in tropical regions and became a valuable resource for dyeing fabrics, particularly in Europe, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Initially, European cloth manufacturers used woad, a local plant for blue dye, but indigo was preferred for its vibrant and rich blue hue. As demand for indigo surged, especially with Britain's industrial expansion, reliance on Indian sources grew significantly — by 1810, 95% of Britain's indigo imports came from India. This led to the establishment of extensive indigo plantations in Bengal under oppressive systems that exploited local ryots. The ryots often entered contracts under duress, compelled to cultivate indigo at the cost of traditional rice farming.
The oppressive nature of indigo cultivation led to significant unrest among the ryots, culminating in the Indigo Rebellion of 1859. During this revolt, ryots refused to sow indigo and protested against the exploitative practices of planters. The British government eventually recognized some grievances, but indigo cultivation's collapse in Bengal was imminent, with many planters moving operations to Bihar and facing further challenges with the advent of synthetic dyes. This revolt and its wider implications highlight the intertwined histories of colonization, economy, and resistance.