Question

What circumstances lead to the collapse of indigo production in Bengal?

Answer 1

Hint: A peasant movement consequent rebellion of indigo farmers against the indigo grower that emerged in Chowgacha town of Nadia in Bengal in 1859 was known as Nil Bidora or The Indigo Revolt. Indigo planting was commercially profitable because of the demand for blue dye in Europe, therefore the production of Indigo was promoted among the peasants of Bengal.

Complete answer:
The blue Rebellion was led by large group of ryoths (peasants) in Bengal Bengal who denied to develop or produce Indigo and while they attacked Indigo manufacturing plants and units with weapons, this led to the Blue rebellion in March 1859, under the movement they attacked Gomastas and swore they would not take progresses towards developing Indigo. They felt that nearby zamindars and town headmen bolstered them against the planters. In numerous towns , headmen prepared the Indigo laborers and battled against the lathiyals. The Indigo laborers anticipated support from British government against the planters. During this time the Lieutenant Governor was visiting the locale and the laborers saw this as a sign of support. In Barasat , Officer Ashley Eden issued a notice to ensure the ryoths (laborers) from indigo contracts. The British Government brought the military to secure the grower from ambushes and took steps over the Indigo cultivation. The British government announced that Indigo production was not beneficial for ryots (peasants). The British Government inquired the ryoths (laborers) to satisfy their existing contracts and clearly refused the production of indigo in any way this led to the collapse of indigo production in India. The protest was a non-violent one and therefore is believed to be a success.

Note: At long last, the British government shaped the Indigo Commissionin 1860 due to Nawab Abdul Latif’s activity with the objective of putting an end to the suppressions of indigo planters(by making the Indigo Act 1862).