(a) Peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters
(b) Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions and discoveries
(c) National leaders' opposition to the cultivation of indigo
(d) Government control over the planters
Indigo Cultivation Decline in India: 20th Century Causes
Indigo cultivation was historically significant in India. However, its prominence waned significantly by the beginning of the $20^{th}$ century. Understanding the reasons behind this decline involves looking at various socio-economic and technological factors that impacted the planters and the market.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Indigo Cultivation
The decline of indigo cultivation in India was influenced by several issues. Let's examine the factors presented in the options:
| Option | Explanation |
|---|---|
| (a) Peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters | While peasant resistance, like the Indigo Revolt (1859-60), was a significant historical event highlighting the exploitative practices of planters, it occurred earlier and wasn't the sole or primary reason for the *overall* decline by the start of the $20^{th}$ century. Resistance primarily addressed immediate grievances rather than fundamental market shifts. |
| (b) Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions and discoveries | This was the most crucial factor. The invention of synthetic indigo dyes in Germany in the late $19^{th}$ century (around 1897) revolutionized the market. These synthetic dyes were cheaper to produce and offered consistent quality compared to natural indigo. This led to a sharp decrease in the demand and price for natural indigo from India, making its cultivation economically unviable for many planters. |
| (c) National leaders' opposition to the cultivation of indigo | National leaders did oppose the oppressive systems associated with indigo cultivation, particularly after events like the Champaran Satyagraha (1917). However, this opposition gained momentum largely as a *result* of the existing problems and the historical context, rather than being the primary *cause* of the initial economic decline at the turn of the century. |
| (d) Government control over the planters | While government policies could influence agriculture, direct and effective government control that specifically caused the decline of indigo cultivation by the early $20^{th}$ century was not the main driver. The market forces, driven by technological change, had a much more direct and devastating impact. |
Primary Reason for Decline
The most significant reason for the decline of indigo cultivation in India by the early $20^{th}$ century was the economic impact of new inventions. The development of synthetic indigo in Europe drastically reduced the global demand for naturally grown indigo. This technological advancement made natural indigo cultivation unprofitable in the face of cheaper, mass-produced synthetic alternatives, leading planters to abandon the crop.
Important Questions from Indian Economic and Human Geography
Deendayal Port was earlier known as:
Which one of the following tribes from India's North-East had the earliest known association with cultivation and production of tea?
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :
List-I
(Railway zone)
List-II
(Headquarters)
A.
East Central
1.
Gorakhpur
B.
North Eastern
2.
Jaipur
C.
Northeast Frontier
3.
Hajipur
D.
North Western
4.
Maligaon
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. India has one of the longest navigable inland water networks in the world.
2. Inland waterways presently help in transporting about 25 percent of the total cargo movement.
3. About 111 inland waterways have been declared as National Waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
In India, a cultivable land which is left uncultivated for more than a year but less than five years is labelled as
