Introduction – Why Did the British Want to Control the Countryside?

• The British economy depended on agriculture and land revenue from India.
• They needed raw materials like cotton and indigo for their textile industries in England.
• To ensure maximum profits, they introduced new revenue systems and forced farmers to grow cash crops.

The Permanent Settlement (1793) – Zamindari System

• Introduced by Lord Cornwallis to increase revenue collection in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• Under this system, Zamindars (landlords) were made permanent owners of land and had to pay a fixed amount of tax to the British.
• If they failed to pay the tax, their land was taken away.

Effects of the Permanent Settlement

• Zamindars became rich but did not invest in agriculture.
• Farmers were exploited and forced to pay high rents.
• No flexibility in tax collection – even in bad harvests, taxes had to be paid.

The Ryotwari System – Direct Tax Collection from Farmers

• Introduced by Thomas Munro and Alexander Reed in Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
• Instead of Zamindars, tax was collected directly from farmers (Ryots).
• The tax rate was very high and frequently changed.

Effects of the Ryotwari System

• British had direct control over farmers.
• Farmers were burdened with heavy taxes.
• Many farmers lost their land due to non-payment of taxes.

The Mahalwari System – Village-Based Revenue Collection

• Introduced in North-Western Provinces, Punjab, and Central India by the British.
• Under this system, the entire village (Mahal) was responsible for paying the revenue.
• The headman of the village collected taxes and paid them to the British.

Effects of the Mahalwari System

• Villages had some control over revenue collection.
• British could still increase the tax amount anytime.
• Farmers still had no ownership rights over their land.

The Demand for Indigo – The Indigo Cultivation System

• Indigo was in high demand in Europe for dyeing textiles.
• The British forced Indian farmers to grow indigo instead of food crops.

The Two Systems of Indigo Cultivation

• Nij System – Planters grew indigo on lands that they directly controlled, using hired labor.
• Ryoti System – Farmers (ryots) were forced to grow indigo on their land under strict contracts.

Effects of Indigo Cultivation

• Farmers had no choice but to grow indigo.
• Low food production led to food shortages.
• Farmers were given loans at high interest rates, trapping them in debt.

The Indigo Rebellion (1859–1860) – Farmers Protest Against British Exploitation

• Indigo farmers refused to grow indigo and revolted against British planters.
• Led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas, farmers in Bengal attacked indigo factories and refused to work.
• The British sent police to suppress the rebellion, but public support for the farmers grew.

Results of the Indigo Rebellion

• The British set up the Indigo Commission (1860) to investigate farmer complaints.
• Forced indigo cultivation was stopped, but exploitation continued in other forms.

The Changing Nature of Indian Agriculture Under British Rule

• The British introduced commercial crops like tea, coffee, jute, and opium, which were more profitable for them.
• Traditional Indian crops like millets and pulses declined, leading to food shortages.
• Farmers were often forced to take loans from moneylenders, leading to debt and poverty.

The Impact of British Agricultural Policies on Indian Farmers

Positive Effects

• Some areas saw the introduction of new irrigation systems (canals, wells).
• Railways helped transport crops to markets.

Negative Effects

• Heavy taxation ruined farmers.
• Cash crops replaced food crops, leading to famine.
• Land was concentrated in the hands of Zamindars and British planters.

Conclusion

• The British controlled Indian agriculture through new revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems.
• Indigo was in high demand in Europe, and farmers were forced to grow it under harsh conditions.
• The Indigo Rebellion (1859) was a major protest by farmers against British exploitation.
• Indian agriculture was transformed into a commercial system, which led to food shortages and farmer poverty.