The Indigo Revolt that took place from 1859 to 1860 in Bengal, India, was a rebellion led by peasants against the unfair treatment they faced from Indigo planters. These planters, mostly Europeans, compelled the tenants to cultivate indigo crops, which were then bought from them at very low prices. The indigo was processed in factories owned by the planters. Understandably, the peasants were furious about this exploitative system.

Background

• In the 1770s, people in Bengal started growing indigo because Europeans really wanted this blue dye. The demand was high because of the Industrial Revolution in Britain, making indigo a moneymaker.
• The folks who owned the land convinced farmers to grow indigo instead of regular crops. Sadly, the farmers only got a tiny bit of money for their indigo, so they couldn’t make a profit.
• Because of this, the farmers couldn’t pay back the loans. The indigo landowners took everything – their land, animals, bees, and anything valuable – to settle the debts.
• In 1833, a law gave the indigo landowners total control over how they treated the farmers. The rich landlords supported the indigo folks because they also made money from indigo farming.
• The farmers had had enough and rebelled against these unfair conditions.

Leaders

• The Indigo Revolt was spearheaded by Bishnu Biswas and Digambar Biswas, hailing from the Nadia district of Bengal.
• As the movement gained momentum, other passionate leaders from various parts of Bengal joined forces with Bishnu and Digambar Biswas.

Causes

• The farmers were convinced by the indigo planters to grow indigo instead of food crops on their own lands. To make this happen, the planters offered loans with really high interest rates.
• Unfortunately, the farmers were only paid a tiny fraction of the actual market price for the indigo they produced. This meant that growing indigo wasn’t a profitable venture for the farmers, and they struggled to repay the loans.
• Facing financial difficulties, the indigo planters resorted to forceful tactics to get their money back from the farmers. This included seizing their lands, cattle, and forcing them into unpaid labor (begar). The support of zamindars further empowered the planters.
• Adding to the problems, growing indigo ended up depleting the fertility of the soil. This made it impossible for the farmers to use their land for growing essential food crops.

Consequences

• The farmers were convinced by the indigo planters to grow indigo instead of food crops on their own lands. To make this happen, the planters offered loans with really high interest rates.
• Unfortunately, the farmers were only paid a tiny fraction of the actual market price for the indigo they produced. This meant that growing indigo wasn’t a profitable venture for the farmers, and they struggled to repay the loans.
• Facing financial difficulties, the indigo planters resorted to forceful tactics to get their money back from the farmers. This included seizing their lands, cattle, and forcing them into unpaid labor (begar). The support of zamindars further empowered the planters.
• Adding to the problems, growing indigo ended up depleting the fertility of the soil. This made it impossible for the farmers to use their land for growing essential food crops.

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