NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science
History Chapter 3 Ruling the Countryside
Question 7 Page No. 38
NCERT Academic Session 2023-2024
What were the circumstances which led to the eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal?
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1. Peasant Resistance: Ryots protested against the exploitative indigo cultivation system, notably in the Indigo Revolt (1859-1860), highlighting the forced nature of indigo farming.
2. Legislative Reforms: British laws like the Indigo Commission of 1860 responded to public pressure, recommending reforms to end the oppressive cultivation practices.
3. Declining Demand: Global changes in the textile industry favored synthetic dyes over natural indigo, reducing its market demand and profitability.
4. Shift in Agriculture: Farmers opted for more profitable and sustainable crops like jute and tea, abandoning indigo due to better economic prospects.
5. Soil Exhaustion: Continuous indigo cultivation depleted soil fertility, impacting agricultural productivity and discouraging further production.
6. Government Policies: British authorities implemented measures favoring agricultural diversification and discouraging forced indigo cultivation, contributing to the collapse of indigo production in Bengal.
These factors, including peasant resistance, legislative changes, market shifts, agricultural practices, soil degradation, and government interventions, collectively led to the eventual downfall of indigo production in Bengal during the colonial period.