why did the indigo cultivaters start the blue rebellion ?what were the consequences
Answers
Answer:
The Indigo Rebellion took place in Bengal in 1859-60 and was a revolt by the farmers against British planters who had forced them to grow indigo under terms that were greatly unfavourable to the farmers.
The cultivators were forced to grow indigo in place of food crops.
They were advanced loans for this purpose. Once the farmers took loans, they could never repay it due to the high rates of interest.
The farmers were brutally oppressed if they could not pay the rent or refused to do as asked by the planters.
The Nij and the Ryoti system were oppressive. The farmers realised that once they grew the crop and received the loan at low rate of interest, but they were paid less for the Indigi. Also the cycle of loan was never ending.
The Indigo also used up all the nutrients present in the soil and the land for cultivating rice was spoilt.
The peasants got extremely angry and thus the rebellion started. The agents of the planters were beaten up, and ryots refused to pay the rent. Few local zamindars came to support these poor ryots and soon the rebellion spread to the near by areas.
When the British Govt heard the news, they were worried of another popular revolt, they were yet to recover from the shock of 1857 episode. Queen directed Magistrate of Barasat ( Ashley Eden) to issue a notice stating ryots not to be compelled to accept Indigo contracts.
An Indigo commission was appointed, which upon enquiry found planters to be guilty for employing oppressive methods and they realized the misery that ryots had to suffer. The decision was declared in favor of ryots, they were asked to complete their present contracts and they could refuse to produce indigo in future, if they wanted.
Production soon collapsed in Bengal. But the planters now shifted the base to Bihar, but after it was less intensive as artificial dye was invented by late nineteenth century.
Hope this helps you☻...................