Explain the ill effect of the british agrarian policies on the indian agriculture
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Answer:
Payment of land revenue was fixed on a particular dates, failing which would prompt the Britishers to sell the land of the farmers. ... The farmers started cultivating more of cash crops than food crops, which became beneficiary for the British industries. These cash crops included cotton, sugarcane,jute, oilseeds etc.
During the pre-British era, majority of the Indian dependent on agriculture. Although the farmers lacked both technology know how and irrigation facilities yet they were satisfied . Events like starvation and famine were very rare.
The situation soon changed with the advent of Britishers.They realised their dream of becoming a super power can be achieved through India by exploiting each and every inch of the country`s resource.
The agricultural sector bore the most brunt of the British exploitation.There was hardly any reforms undertaken by them in order to increase the income and productivity of the farmers.
The Britishers introduced various land settlement systems which brought misery for the farmers. The most striking of them was the zamindari system introduced in Bengal. Under this system the zamindars enjoyed greater portion of profits instead of the farmers. This led to shoring up more revenue for the colonial bosses.
The excessive land revenue demand along with the manner it was collected from the peasants brought misery for them. Payment of land revenue was fixed on a particular dates, failing which would prompt the Britishers to sell the land of the farmers.
The farmers often resorted to borrow money from money lenders, who in exchange would charge high rate of interest. It was difficult for the farmer to manage both ends.
The Britishers started focusing on commercialized crops in order to earn more revenue. This led to an increase in the yield of cash crops, however this did not bring much cheer to the cultivators.
The farmers started cultivating more of cash crops than food crops, which became beneficiary for the British industries. These cash crops included cotton, sugarcane,jute, oilseeds etc.
Hope this helps.