Question

Describe the circumstances that led to the Indigo Revolt in 1859.

Answer 1

1. Natural Indigo dye was highly valued by cloth makers around the World. Many Europeans sought to make their fortunes by becoming Indigo planters in India. They employed Indian peasants to grow the Indigo which was processed into dye at the planters factories. The dye was then exported to Europe.
2. The Indian peasants were not interested in growing Indigo. Instead, they wanted to grow food crops. But they were forced to grow indigo. The British planters gave them cash advances to help pay for the rent of the land or other costs. These advances need to be repaid-with interest.
3. At the end of the season, the planters paid the cultivators low prices for their indigo. Moreover, the small amount they earned was not enough to pay back the cash advance with interest. So, they fell into debt.
4. The peasants would be forced to enter into another contract to grow indigo. And the same thing would be repeated once again. Thus, the peasants were never able to clear their debts. Debts were often passed from father to son.
   Finally, they revolted against the oppressive system in 1859 which came to be known as the Indigo Revolt. The peasants took a collective decision and refused to grow indigo. The movement quickly spread far and wide.