Question

why were The planters Reluctant to expand the area under nij cultivation

Answer 1

Under nij cultivation, the planter produced indigo in lands that he directly controlled. He either bought the land or rented it from other zamindars and produced indigo by directly employing hired labourers. Nij cultivation had its drawbacks:
(a) The planters found it difficult to expand the area under nij cultivation. Indigo could be cultivated only on fertile lands and these were already densely populated. Hence, the planters attempted to lease in the land around the indigo factory and evict the peasants from the area. But this always led to conflicts and tension.
(b) Labour force was not easily available. A large plantation required a vast number of hands to operate. And labour was needed precisely at a time when peasants were usually busy with their rice cultivation.
(c) Nij cultivation on a large scale also required many ploughs and bullocks. Investing on purchase and maintenance of ploughs was a big problem. Nor could supplies be early got from the peasants since their ploughs and bullocks were busy on their rice fields, again exactly at the time that the indigo planters needed them.
The planters were therefore reluctant to expand the area under nij cultivation till the late 19 th centuiy.

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

It was difficult for the planters to expand the area under nij cultivation. Indigo could only be grown on fertile lands, which were all already densely populated. Only small plots scattered across the landscape were available for purchase. To cultivate indigo in plantations, planters required large areas in compact blocks.