Question

why did britishers force indian farmers to grow indigo

Answer 1

The britishers forced Indian farmers to grow indigo because indigo planting became more and more commercially profitable because of the demand for blue dye in Europe. It was introduced in large parts of Burdwan, Bankura, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, and Jessore (present Bangladesh). The indigo planters persuaded the peasants to plant indigo instead of food crops. But this plantation was not liked by the farmers because once you plant indigo , it will absorb all the minerals and nutrients from the soil and they couldn’t grow anything else. This would barren the whole land.

Answer 2

Indigo or 'blue dye' is cash crop which was in a high demand in Europe at the time of British colonial rule in India. Tropical region of the Earth, which includes India, was regarded as the ultimate king of indigo cultivation. Therefore, with a motive to seek maximum profit, the British forced the Indian farmers to grow indigo, especially in the areas of Burdwan, North 24 Parganas, Birbhum, etc.