Indigo on the land of ryots
The section delves into the blue dye industry's impact on ryots in Bengal during British colonial rule. Initially, indigo was cultivated primarily through two systems: nij cultivation, where planters directly managed the land, and ryoti cultivation, where ryots (peasants) were forced into agreements to produce indigo.
The Ryoti System
Under the ryoti system, planters pressured ryots into contracts to grow indigo on at least 25% of their land, often coercing village headmen alongside. The planters provided seed and tools but overburdened the ryots with loans and oppressive rents. This resulted in economic strain on ryots, leading to cycles of debt.
Economic Impact and Peasant Struggle
Subsequently, ryots suffered from low prices for their produce, further complicating their financial situation as indigo crops exhausted the soil needed for rice cultivation. The tension culminated in the significant Blue Rebellion of 1859, where ryots revolted against the oppressive practices, demanding better treatment.
Historical Significance
The rebellion not only highlighted the exploitative nature of the indigo system but also attracted attention from intellectuals and officials, leading to inquiries into the treatment of ryots. Even though after this event indigo production diminished, the groundwork for subsequent peasant activism, such as the Champaran movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, was laid.
Thus, this section illustrates the interaction between agricultural policies, economic exploitation, and resistance during a pivotal time in Indian history, reshaping the landscape of peasant protests against colonial rule.