How did the American Civil War affect the lives of ryots in India?
American Civil War that began in 1860 had a huge impact on the ryots of Deccan region in India. Following events explains how the impact took shape:
1.Britain was the country where large cotton mills were operational. These cotton mills depended on cotton imported from North America.
2.When the USA was reeling under civil war, it was naturally very difficult to import cotton from.
3.The cotton mills were forced to look for alternative suppliers of cotton apart from US. India made a good option.
4.The farmers in Deccan were encouraged to grow cotton. One way was the easy access of credit. The moneylenders would give credit of Rs 100 for every acre of land under cotton cultivation.
5.The farmers benefitted out of this demand for cotton. But the real beneficiary were the big farmers and traders.
6.However, things changed as normalcy returned to US. Now the demand of cotton in India declined and so declined the easy availability of credit. The ryots fell back to old days of penury and rose in rebellion in many places.
What are the problems of using official sources in writing about the history of peasants?
How did the Paharias respond to the coming of outsiders?
Why was the jotedar a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal?
In what way was the livelihood of the Paharias different from that of the Santhals?
Why were many zamindaris auctioned after the Permanent Settlement?
Why did the Santhals rebel against British rule?
On an outline map of the subcontinent, mark out the areas described in this chapter. Find out whether there were other areas where the Permanent Settlement and the ryotwari system were prevalent and plot these on the map as well.
What explains the anger of the Deccan ryots against Fig. 10.20 the moneylenders?
How did zamindars manage to retain control over their zamindaris?
Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turn to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to the revolt?
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?
What did the Muslim League demand through its resolution of 1940?
What were the ideals expressed in the Objectives Resolution?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
What do the terms “White” and “Black” Town signify?
How was Mahatma Gandhi perceived by the peasants?
Why did some people think of Partition as a very sudden development?
How was the term minority defined by different groups?
What were the new kinds of public places that emerged in the colonial city? What functions did they serve?
Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.Find out about the route of the Dandi March. On a map of Gujarat plot the line of the march and mark the major towns and villages that it passed along the route.
Examine any two sources presented in the chapter, choosing one visual and one text, and discuss how these represent the point of view of the victor and the vanquished.
To what extent are census data useful in reconstructing patterns of urbanisation in the colonial context?
Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination on the part of the rebels.
Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What prompted the peasants, taluqdars and zamindars to join the revolt?
What connection did some of the members of the Constituent Assembly make between the political situation of the time and the need for a strong Centre?
What historical forces shaped the vision of the Constitution?
What do private letters and autobiographies tell us about an individual? How are these sources different from official accounts?
What were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces?