write a short note on important of peasant revolt in Assam.
Answers
The Phulaguri uprising-the Phulaguri Dhawa-shook the British administration in Assam for the first time. To control it they killed 39 peasants and hanaged many of the leaders. This first peasant movement of Assam inspired many more movement by the peasants against British administration.
The Phulguri uprising also known as 'Phulguri Dhawa"was the first peasant revolt in Assam. It was mainly organised against the British for increasing the price of opium.The British also put a ban on the private cultivation of opium which increased the anger among the local peasants.
Main Reason of Revolt -
a. To meet the increased demand of Indigo dye in Europe, the British compelled the Indian farmers to cultivate indigo on their lands.
b. The Britih thus introduced Nij cultivation and ryoti system to expand the indigo cultibation.
c. Both the systems were harsh and did not benefit the farmers.
d. Under Nij system, the planter directly produced indigo on the land controlled by him, The planter hired labourers to produce indigo
e. Under ryoti , the planters entered into contracts with ryots and were given advances at low rate to produce indigo on their lands.
f. As per the contract the ryot had to produce on indigo on 25% of his land . The planter provided all the raw material including the seed , drill to the ryot.
g,It tied the farmers to the cycle of loans and were under huge debts.
h. Excessive growth of indigo affected the fertility of the soil that hampered growth of food crops.
i. Moreover planters indulged in extreme form of exploitation resulting in blue or indigo rebellion in 1859, where the peasants refused to grow indigo and attacked indigo factories.