Ruling the Countryside - Full Chapter Explanation Solutions | Class 8 History Chapter 3

Magnet Brains・2 minutes read

The text discusses the impact of British colonial rule on Indian farmers, tax collection systems, revenue generation, indigo cultivation, and the exploitation of resources leading to social unrest. It highlights the significant events, challenges, and changes in revenue collection methods, focusing on the British East India Company's pursuit of profit and control over India's economy and society.

Insights

  • The British East India Company gained control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa through significant battles like the Battle of Plassey and the Battle of Buxar.
  • The impact of British colonial rule on Indian farmers and industries, including the introduction of various tax collection systems, is a focal point of the text.
  • The cultivation of indigo played a crucial role in British revenue generation strategies, leading to social unrest and conflicts between planters and local farmers.
  • The Champaran Movement, spearheaded by Gandhiji, marked a pivotal moment in addressing the exploitation of indigo cultivators and shifting the dynamics of planters and cultivators' relationships.

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Recent questions

  • What were the significant battles in British India?

    The Battle of Plassey and Battle of Buxar.

  • What were the tax collection systems introduced by the British East India Company?

    Halwa System and Live Rohit Wali System.

  • How did British policies affect indigo cultivators in India?

    Indigo cultivators faced issues due to British policies.

  • What was the impact of the Permanent Settlement system in British India?

    Permanent Settlement aimed to enhance revenue collection.

  • How did the British East India Company focus on revenue generation in India?

    British East India Company aimed to maximize profits.

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Summary

00:00

British Colonial Rule in Indian Countryside

  • The chapter discussed in the text is about ruling the countryside in British India.
  • It covers the transition in Indian history due to British colonial rule.
  • The Battle of Plassey and the Battle of Buxar are significant events discussed.
  • The British East India Company gained control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa after these battles.
  • The concept of Diwani rights, allowing the collection of taxes, is explained.
  • The impact of British rule on Indian farmers and industries is highlighted.
  • Different tax collection systems, like the Halwa System and Live Rohit Wali System, were introduced.
  • The limitations and challenges of these tax systems are discussed.
  • The text also delves into the issues faced by indigo cultivators due to British policies.
  • The chapter concludes with a focus on the East India Company's financial administration and revenue collection methods.

12:28

British East India Company: Profit-driven administration in India.

  • Buses will run to government schools built by the British East India Company.
  • Jal Diwani Rice is introduced by the British East India Company.
  • The Diwani Knight gets the vote, leading to the responsibility of administering Blend.
  • All farmers must be administered to receive water.
  • The British East India Company focuses on profit and trading.
  • The company's interest lies in earning money through taxes from farmers.
  • The company's administration is handled simultaneously with organizing a Revenue Resort.
  • The British East India Company aims to maintain its army and earn money through subsidiary alliances.
  • The company collects revenue through taxes and focuses on maximizing profits.
  • The British East India Company's impact on India's economy and society is discussed, emphasizing the pursuit of profit.

24:24

British East India Company's Revenue Challenges in Bengal

  • The goods exported doubled by 1770 compared to earlier years.
  • Gold and silver used to be the primary exports, but their demand decreased.
  • The British East India Company faced revenue generation challenges.
  • Revenue was collected from farmers and used for various expenses.
  • The lack of new revenue led to significant problems.
  • The British East India Company faced challenges in Bengal.
  • The population of Bengal faced severe hunger and death toll reached 10 million.
  • The British East India Company focused on improving agriculture through investment.
  • The Permanent Settlement system was introduced to enhance revenue collection.
  • The agreement between landlords and the British East India Company aimed at ensuring consistent revenue collection.

36:56

"Financial gains, challenges, and land reforms"

  • Profit of Rs 50 made by selling above ₹100
  • Profit of ₹5 made by buying for ₹5
  • Company's perception of lack of money
  • Importance of collecting at least ₹120
  • Company's belief in completing both tasks
  • Farmers' improvement needed
  • Impact of increased production on landlords
  • Introduction of Permanent Settlement
  • Problems faced in Permanent Settlement
  • Introduction of Mahalwari System

49:19

Land consolidation and tax reform in village

  • Log Airport Deactivated and Belief Beach Plot Vision of Village was added up to Calculate the validity of will
  • The palace has disappeared from the village, prompting a shift in focus to the farmers
  • The farmers' land is being calculated to determine the total area available
  • Each farmer's land size is being assessed to ascertain the total land available for purchase
  • The goal is to buy all the land and consolidate it
  • Revenue calculations are being made based on the land assessment
  • A collector is appointed to oversee the collection of taxes and revenue from the village
  • The collector inspects the land and assesses the production levels in each area
  • The traditional system of landlords collecting taxes is being replaced by a direct taxation system
  • The Munro System, also known as the Rohit wali settlement, is being implemented to streamline revenue collection and eliminate exploitation of farmers.

01:02:26

British Exploitation and Revenue Generation in India

  • Cultivators faced issues with their crops getting spoiled and had to pay taxes to money lenders.
  • Many Roy shoes got stuck in clutches, leading to the development of multiple operating systems like Mangal System and Rohit's system.
  • The Madras Torture Commission was established due to similar issues faced in Madras.
  • The confusion and problems within the systems led to the need for a team system to resolve issues.
  • The British aimed to increase revenue through various means, including increasing taxes and exploiting cultivators.
  • The British focused on cultivating crops like indigo and opium to generate revenue.
  • The British forced cultivators in various parts of India to produce different crops like ginger, sugarcane, cotton, and rice.
  • Industries developed in Europe due to the exploitation of resources from India and other colonies.
  • The British centralized control in India, creating a system that benefited European nations.
  • The text transitions to discussing the history of colors and textiles, linking it to the exploitation and revenue generation strategies employed by the British in India.

01:15:28

"Indigo: Textile Competition and Government Restrictions"

  • Kalamkari print is from India, while the Morris cotton print is from late 19th century England, designed by William Morris.
  • The Kalamkari print is from Andhra Pradesh, India, and the Morris cotton print is from Britain.
  • Both prints feature rich blue colors, with indigo being the source of the blue color.
  • Indigo, a plant-based dye, is used to produce the blue color in textiles.
  • The demand for Indian indigo was high due to its quality and availability in tropical regions like India.
  • Europe faced challenges in obtaining indigo due to its high price and limited availability.
  • Indigo was crucial for textile industries in Europe, leading to high demand and competition.
  • European textile producers feared competition from indigo and sought government restrictions on its import.
  • Indigo dyeing in Europe was not as vibrant as in India due to differences in processing methods.
  • The government imposed taxes on indigo cultivation to protect local textile industries.

01:27:55

Rise of Indigo: Impact on Global Industry

  • Pressure from European producers increased as society shifted from Agricultural to Industrial Society
  • Governments followed industrialists' lead in selling European clothes
  • Governments were persuaded to relax regulations on indigo imports
  • Indigo importation was banned, leading to increased demand for indigo
  • Indigo plantations rose globally due to the ban on indigo
  • Cultivators started planting indigo in various tropical regions
  • Demand for Indian indigo surged due to its quality and ease of importation
  • British industries began importing indigo from India and other regions
  • Indigo production in India expanded rapidly, attracting foreign investors
  • Indigo cultivation in Bengal grew significantly, impacting British industries and leading to social unrest

01:40:55

Indigo Cultivation: History, Challenges, and Investment

  • Demand increased in Britain, leading to increased production in India.
  • Advanced systems were introduced, attracting British individuals to invest in India.
  • The video lecture discussed the history of Indigo cultivation in Britain and India.
  • Indigo cultivation formed a triangular trade route between Britain, India, and other regions.
  • Profit-driven British individuals were drawn to invest in Indigo plantations in India.
  • Different cultivation systems, such as the Magic and Red systems, were explained in the lecture.
  • Challenges and limitations of these cultivation systems were highlighted.
  • Lack of fertile land and transportation issues were major problems faced by planters.
  • Conflict and tension arose due to land acquisition struggles between planters and local farmers.
  • Mobilization of workers was crucial for successful Indigo cultivation, but faced difficulties in implementation.

01:53:13

British Worker Requires Handsome Help for Farm Work

  • A person from Britain is present and is expected to work, requiring handsomeness to operate.
  • Four working hands are needed for farm work to be done easily.
  • The question arises about the price and the reason behind it.
  • Mini requirements should be used in the morning to meet.
  • Cultivation is focused on, with crops being set on fire.
  • Peasants are idle at home, facing issues with pigeons in their fields and rice.
  • The need for bulls is highlighted due to the absence of tractors.
  • Challenges with land acquisition and investment are discussed.
  • The system of cultivation and the issues faced by planters are detailed.
  • The process of cultivating indigo and the repayment of loans are explained.

02:06:25

"Indigo farming: challenges, dedication, and success"

  • Farming requires dedication and persistence to achieve success.
  • Cycling off is a crucial step in the process.
  • The importance of completing the cycle is emphasized.
  • Challenges like traffic and British influence are faced in farming.
  • Indigo cultivation is a significant focus in the text.
  • Specific instructions on planting indigo are detailed.
  • The impact of deep roots in indigo cultivation is highlighted.
  • Social boycotts and conflicts arise in the farming community.
  • The role of Gumashta in collecting money for indigo is explained.
  • The power dynamics between planters and landlords affect farming practices.

02:19:12

"Indigo Revolution: British Government vs Cultivators"

  • The X factor that changed the course of the Israelites was the introduction of the indigo plant, leading to significant attention from the British Government.
  • The British Government supported the planters and aimed to remove them from the system, causing concern about the impact on cancer in India.
  • The first War of Independence in 1857 involved notable figures like Rani Laxmibai, Tatya Tope, and Bahadur Shah Jafar.
  • The British Government's response to the Blue Rebellion led to the establishment of the Indigo Commission to address the issues faced by cultivators.
  • The Indigo Commission found planters guilty of exploiting cultivators and recommended changes in cultivation practices.
  • The commission's observations highlighted the need for fair treatment of cultivators and the importance of their rights.
  • The commission's recommendations led to the refusal of planters to produce indigo in the future, causing confusion and disputes.
  • The story of Champaran in Bihar involved Gandhiji's intervention to address the issues faced by indigo cultivators.
  • Gandhiji's solution in Champaran marked a significant shift in the treatment of cultivators and the production of indigo.
  • The transition from Bengal to Bihar for indigo production signified a change in the dynamics of the planters and cultivators relationship.

02:32:05

Decline of Indigo Production in Bengal

  • Interest in the tenth class, Veer made Rolex
  • India's demand for production houses decreased gradually
  • Synthetic dance developed as synthetic slaves
  • Synthetic drive created using chemicals for colors
  • Champaran Movement against indigo plantations
  • Permanent Settlement and Mahalwari System differences
  • Problems with the Munro System of revenue collection
  • Challenges faced by indigo planters in growing indigo
  • Indigo production in Bengal gradually ended
  • British Government's role in supporting indigo planters and the Champaran Movement

02:45:46

Bengal Commissioner's Inquiry Reveals Indigo Exploitation

  • The Commissioner in Bengal conducted an inquiry into the Indigo Production system, finding 125 plants guilty of exploiting workers, leading to a reduction in future contracts and commission payments, with ongoing contracts to be honored before changes are implemented.
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