The Blue Rebellion and After Ncert Class 8th

Indigo Rebellion- Ruling the Countryside

• In 1859, thousands of ryots in Bengal refused to grow indigo and pay to the planters, attacked the factories.
• Those working for the planters were boycotted, Gomasthas (agents of planters) and Lathiyals (strongman of planters) were beaten up.

• The ryots were supported by the local Zamindars and village headmen who were forced into the contract and was not happy with the increasing power of planters and long lease of lands.
• After the revolt of 1857, the British government did not want another violence and thus after listening about the indigo incident they toured the village.
• In Barasat, magistrate Ashley Eden issued a notice that ryots can’t be forced by the planters, all this was misunderstood as support of the Britishers by the ryots.

• Worried by the rebellion, the government brought in the military to protect planters and set up the Indigo Commission.
• The Indigo Commission held planters guilty for the coercive methods used with the ryots. They asked the ryots to complete ongoing contracts and gave them rights to deny in future.
• Indigo production collapsed in Bengal but shifted to Bihar. During the 19th century, with the advent of synthetic dye, the business declined.
• Later in 1917, with the Champaran movement led by Mahatma Gandhi the plight of indigo cultivators was put forward.