Question

'The British expanded the areas under Indigo cultivation'. Give reasons. Who are the new plantation owners.

Answer 1

Blue dye was in great demand in Europe during the 18th century. Therefore, indigo plantations were found to be profitable for the British in India. With this idea in mind, they pressurised and persuaded farmers, to switch over to indigo cultivation from food crops. For this, they provided loans to farmers and got them into debt traps and subsequently the farms or plantations were all taken over by the unscrupulous British.

The farmers realised this trap and rose up in revolt against the British in 1859.

Answer 2

Explanation:

The British expanded the areas under Indigo cultivation because this was used as a commercial crop more cultivation meant more produce which in turn make there profits large. The new plantation owners were European monopolistic indigo planters.