Question

Draw a comparative analysis of structure of
Indigo cultivation during pre colonial time and post colonial time .

Answer 1

Answer:

British Colonial period of India starts with the arrival and settlement of British in India. After 1858, India became an official British Colony when the British crown took over the control from East India company.

Cultivation of Indigo has been practiced in India from very early times. It was cultivated and used for dying during the Indus Valley Civilization, which is more than 5000 years ago. It was also used for dying during the Mauryan Empire and Mughal Empire. However the cultivation of Indigo was done in a controlled manner as it was enough to meet the demands.

With the advent of British and French colonial powers in India, the cultivation of Indigo was done on a large scale and commercialized manner. The demand for Indigo was very heavy in the European countries as the alternative dye, was not as same as Indigo. To make profit by supplying to this heavy demand, the British rule first persuaded and then forced the farmers of Bengal to cultivate indigo, in place of regular staple crops. Since, Indigo could only be cultivated on fertile land, Bengal and Bihar region of India became the primary cultivating areas of the crop.

The cultivation of Indigo in these regions were done by following various schemes (like Nij Cultivation, Ryoti System etc). The farmers in these areas were trapped with various loan schemes, to cultivate Indigo, and in many cases, they remain indebted for generations, with no other option but to continue cultivating the crop.  

These factors lead to the famous Indigo Revolt (Nil Bidroho) by the Indian farmers against the British Empire.

Thus, Indigo and its cultivation has played a very important part in the history of our country, during its pre-colonial and post-colonial era.