Question

why were tribes depended on traders and money lenders?

Answer 1

The traders could exploit the tribals once farming under the British became commercialized. The tribal farmers required cash to pay the land revenue to the British. But they were traditionally not familiar with the operation of a monetized economy. Hence, they fell easy prey to traders who purchased their products at very low prices. The traders, therefore, cheated them by not paying them a fair price.

Tribals also took loans from moneylenders. But they were cheated by moneylenders 

Answer 2

Several tribal groups earned their living by herding and rearing animals and by selling forest produce. Tribals depended on traders for obtaining their supply of commodities (such as grains) which were not produced by them. Tribals also depended on moneylenders to meet the need of cash requirements.