Foreign rule in India had demolished ancient Indian social order and relations that linked different classes of villages/rural community. The joint family system was weakened. The agricultural production was no more in accordance with the needs of the people but was in accordance with the market.
In the words of Carl Marx. " The changes in wealth relation led to social revolution".
Backwardness of Agriculture:: The increasing land revenue hampered growth of agriculture and condition of peasants was like helpless slaves. The foreign rule had destroyed Indian trade and industry and so the burden of taxes fell on farmers alone.
Famine, Plague and unemployment were the consequences.
All the agricultural surplus went into the hands of zamindars and the peasants were not left with any cash or crop.
Rise in Rural Debt:: As a result of the aforesaid reasons, the debt on peasants rapidly increased during the British rule. The main cause responsible for this was that more than 75% of the farmers were not able to earn their livelihood from farming. The farmers took debt from local mahajans to pay revenue dues and due to the non payment of debts, their lands went into the hands of mahajans. The rate of interest was different in different regions and it ranged from 12% to 200%.
In the British period, land became sellable. The farmes got the right to sell or mortgage their lands.
Commercialization of Agriculture:: With the establishment of new land relations, the purpose of rural agriculture changed from producing for the villages to the producing for the markets. As a result of the commercialization of agriculture, farmers started growing some particular crops like Sugarcane, Indigo, Opium, Cotton, Jute, Oilseeds etc.
Increase In Poverty:: Several factors were responsible for the increase in poverty of farmers such as agricultural prices, famine, flood, epidemic etc. According to William Digby, approximately 24 famines occurred between 1854 AD and 1901 AD in which 290 lac died.
Decline of Rural Industry and Handicraft:: Prior to British rule, rural industry was a component of the balance and self sufficient rural economy. These villages were capable of fulfilling their needs locally.
Famine, Plague and unemployment were the consequences.
All the agricultural surplus went into the hands of zamindars and the peasants were not left with any cash or crop.
Rise in Rural Debt:: As a result of the aforesaid reasons, the debt on peasants rapidly increased during the British rule. The main cause responsible for this was that more than 75% of the farmers were not able to earn their livelihood from farming. The farmers took debt from local mahajans to pay revenue dues and due to the non payment of debts, their lands went into the hands of mahajans. The rate of interest was different in different regions and it ranged from 12% to 200%.
In the British period, land became sellable. The farmes got the right to sell or mortgage their lands.
Commercialization of Agriculture:: With the establishment of new land relations, the purpose of rural agriculture changed from producing for the villages to the producing for the markets. As a result of the commercialization of agriculture, farmers started growing some particular crops like Sugarcane, Indigo, Opium, Cotton, Jute, Oilseeds etc.
Increase In Poverty:: Several factors were responsible for the increase in poverty of farmers such as agricultural prices, famine, flood, epidemic etc. According to William Digby, approximately 24 famines occurred between 1854 AD and 1901 AD in which 290 lac died.
Decline of Rural Industry and Handicraft:: Prior to British rule, rural industry was a component of the balance and self sufficient rural economy. These villages were capable of fulfilling their needs locally.
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