Which Government set up a commission of enquiry to investigate into the causes of the Deccan Riots?
Bombay
Understanding the Deccan Riots Enquiry
The Deccan Riots of 1875 were significant agrarian disturbances that occurred in the Poona and Ahmednagar districts of Maharashtra, which was then part of the Bombay Presidency.
These riots were primarily directed against moneylenders, most of whom were Marwaris or Gujaratis. The main causes behind the Deccan Riots were:
- Heavy land revenue demand by the British government.
- Falling prices of agricultural produce after the American Civil War boom ended, making it difficult for peasants to pay revenue.
- The Ryotwari system, where peasants had to pay revenue directly to the state, often forcing them into debt.
- Increasing dependence on moneylenders for revenue payments and other expenses, leading to growing indebtedness.
- Moneylenders using legal processes, facilitated by new British laws, to seize peasants' land and property in case of loan defaults.
The peasants, feeling oppressed and exploited by the combination of high revenue demands and the coercive practices of moneylenders, rose up in protest. They attacked the houses and shops of moneylenders, burned account books, and destroyed debt bonds.
Government Response to the Deccan Riots
The Deccan Riots spread rapidly, causing alarm among the authorities. The government needed to understand the root causes of these widespread disturbances to restore order and prevent future uprisings.
In response to the Deccan Riots, the government decided to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the matter thoroughly. This commission was tasked with:
- Investigating the causes of the Deccan Riots.
- Examining the relationship between the peasants and the moneylenders.
- Proposing measures to address the grievances of the peasantry.
Which Government Set Up the Commission?
The areas affected by the Deccan Riots, specifically Poona and Ahmednagar districts, were located within the jurisdiction of the Bombay Presidency during the British Raj. Therefore, it was the local government, the Bombay Government, that was directly responsible for administering this region and responding to the crisis.
The Bombay Government took the initiative to appoint the commission of enquiry to look into the causes of the Deccan Riots of 1875.
Based on the findings of the Deccan Riots Commission, the British Parliament passed the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act in 1879. This act aimed to protect peasants from moneylenders by restricting the alienation of their land and giving them certain rights against usurious loans.
Conclusion
The Deccan Riots of 1875 prompted the government to take action. The government that set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the causes of these riots was the Bombay Government, as the affected areas were part of the Bombay Presidency.
Revision Table: Deccan Riots Enquiry
| Event | Year | Primary Location | Main Cause | Government Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deccan Riots | 1875 | Poona, Ahmednagar (Bombay Presidency) | High revenue demand, debt to moneylenders, land alienation | Commission of Enquiry set up by Bombay Government |
| Legislation | 1879 | N/A | Based on Commission's report | Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act passed |
Additional Information: Deccan Riots and British Rule
The Deccan Riots are a significant event in the history of agrarian movements in British India. They highlighted the distress faced by Indian peasants under colonial economic policies. The riots demonstrated the peasants' ability to organize and resist exploitation.
The setting up of a commission and subsequent legislation (Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act, 1879) showed that the colonial government, though often prioritizing revenue collection, could be compelled to introduce measures to alleviate peasant distress, at least partially, when faced with widespread unrest. This act aimed to check the abuses by moneylenders and protect peasant land, although its effectiveness was debated.
Important Questions from Colonialism and the Countryside
Arrange the following in a chronological manner:
A. Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal.
B. English East India Company acquires ‘Diwani’ of Bengal.
C. Santhal Revolt in Rajmahal hills.
D. First revenue settlement was started in Bombay Deccan.
E. Ryots rebelled in Deccan villages.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Which of the following is false?
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Buchanan's survey gives glimpses of hill folks during which century?
Read the passage and answer the question:
Who were these hill folk? Why were they so apprehensive of Buchanan's visit? Buchanan’s journal gives us tantalising glimpses of these hill folk in the early nineteenth century. His journal was written as a diary of places he visited, people he encountered, and practices he saw. It raises questions in our mind, but does not always help us answer them. It tells us about a moment in time, but not about the longer history of people and places. For that, historians have to turn to other records.
Who were the 'hill folk' referred in the passage above?
Which Governor-General described the kingdom of Awadh as ‘a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day’?
