The ryots of Bengal famously refused to grow indigo, marking a significant turning point in the region's history.
The Genesis of the Indigo Rebellion
In 1859, peasant cultivators, known as ryots, residing in Bengal collectively refused to cultivate indigo. This courageous act of defiance was a direct catalyst for the beginning of the Indigo Rebellion, a major uprising against the coercive practices of indigo planters.
- Key Refusers: The primary group that refused to grow indigo were the ryots of Bengal.
- Year of Refusal: This refusal became widespread and historically recognized in 1859.
- Historical Impact: Their refusal directly ignited the Indigo Rebellion, a pivotal movement highlighting the struggles of agrarian communities under colonial exploitation.