Page 1 - LESSON NOTE- 5

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

STD VIII

CH- 3 RULING THE COUNTRYSIDE

NOTES

Background:

 Indigo was in high demand in Europe for its vibrant blue dye.
 British planters in Bengal compelled Indian farmers (ryots) to cultivate
indigo under exploitative conditions.
 Farmers received meager payments, often only 2.5% of the market price,

and were trapped in cycles of debt due to high-interest loans called dadon

Causes of the Rebellion:

 Forced cultivation of indigo on fertile lands, reducing food crop production.
 Oppressive practices by planters and their agents (gomasthas), including
coercion and violence.
 Economic hardships and perpetual indebtedness of the ryots

Course of the Rebellion:

 In March 1859, thousands of ryots in Bengal refused to grow indigo,
marking the start of the Blue Rebellion.
 The revolt spread across various districts, with ryots attacking indigo
factories and planters' agents.
 Women participated actively, using household items as weapons.
 The rebellion was largely non-violent and organized, with support from

local zamindars and intellectuals

Aftermath:

 The British government appointed the Indigo Commission in 1860 to
investigate the grievances.
 The Commission acknowledged the planters' oppressive methods and
declared that ryots could not be compelled to cultivate indigo.
 Indigo cultivation declined in Bengal and shifted to regions like Bihar.

 The rebellion is considered a precursor to later non-violent movements in
India, such as Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha