How was indigo cultivated?

The Company Become the Diwan

On 12 August 1765, the East India Company assumed the role of Diwan in Bengal, granting it primary responsibility for financial administration within its jurisdiction. As Diwan, the Company undertook the task of managing the land and organizing its revenue streams, aiming to generate sufficient income to cover its expanding expenses....

Revenue for the Company

The Company’s primary objective was to enhance revenue generation, particularly by procuring fine cotton and silk textiles at the lowest possible cost. Within a brief period of five years, the Company’s procurement of goods in Bengal doubled in value....

The need to improve agriculture

In 1793, the Company implemented the Permanent Settlement, which designated rajas and taluqdars as zamindars. These zamindars were tasked with collecting rent from peasants and remitting revenue to the Company, with the payment amount permanently fixed....

The problem

However, the Permanent Settlement gave rise to issues. Company officials soon realized that zamindars were reluctant to invest in land improvement due to the excessively high fixed revenue....

A new system was devised

In 1822, Company officials opted for a significant overhaul in revenue management. Spearheaded by Holt Mackenzie, a new system was introduced....

The Munro System

In the British-controlled territories of southern India, a distinct system emerged, termed as the ryotwar (or ryotwari). Gradually implemented across South India, this system necessitated direct settlements with cultivators (ryots) who had cultivated the land for generations....

All was not well

In pursuit of increasing land revenue, officials imposed high revenue demands....

Crops for Europe

By the late eighteenth century, the East India Company sought to expand the cultivation of commodities like opium and indigo....

Does colour have a history?

The vibrant blue hue was derived from the indigo plant. This dye, prominent in Morris prints in nineteenth-century Britain, was sourced from indigo plants cultivated in India....

Why the demand for Indian indigo?

Indigo plants thrive in tropical climates, and the Indian variant was highly sought after by cloth manufacturers in Italy, France, and Britain for dyeing textiles. Although only small quantities of Indian indigo made it to the European market, its price commanded a premium....

Britain turns to India

Given the high demand for indigo in Europe, the East India Company in India sought ways to expand the cultivation of indigo....

How was indigo cultivated?

Indigo cultivation primarily followed two systems: Nij and Ryoti....

The problem with Nij cultivation

However, Nij cultivation posed certain challenges, particularly regarding expansion. Indigo could only thrive on fertile lands, limiting the scope for expansion. Planters attempted to lease land surrounding the indigo factory, often leading to the eviction of peasants from the area....

Indigo on the land of Ryots

Under the ryoti system, planters compelled ryots to sign contracts, known as sattas, agreeing to produce indigo. Those who signed these contracts received cash advances from the planters at low-interest rates to cultivate indigo....

The “Blue Rebellion” and After

Ryots in Bengal staunchly refused to cultivate indigo. Those who worked for the planters faced social ostracism, while the Gomasthas—planters’ agents—were subjected to physical assault when they came to collect rent. Bengal ryots found support from local zamindars and village headmen in their resistance against the planters....

CBSE Class 8 Social Science History Notes Chapter 3 – Ruling the Countryside- FAQs

What was the significance of the Company becoming the Diwan in Bengal in 1765?...