Q.In which of the following districts did the ryots revolt against sahukars of the Ryotwari system ? (A) Awadh (B) Barrackpore (C) Bhagalpur (D) Poona

The key idea here is the Deccan Riots.

The Ryotwari system, prevalent in the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, directly settled land revenue with individual cultivators (ryots). During the 1870s, particularly in the Bombay Deccan, ryots faced severe economic distress due to falling cotton prices after the American Civil War, high land revenue demands, and exploitation by moneylenders (sahukars). This led to widespread agrarian unrest where ryots attacked the houses and shops of sahukars, destroying debt bonds and account …

The question asks about a specific type of peasant revolt: ryots (cultivators) revolting against sahukars (moneylenders) within the context of the Ryotwari system. To answer this, we need to understand the Ryotwari system and the economic conditions it created, which often led to such conflicts.

The Ryotwari system, introduced by the British in parts of southern and western India (like the Bombay Presidency and Madras Presidency), involved direct revenue collection from the individual cultivators (ryots). Unlike the Zamindari system, there was no intermediary landlord. While this might seem beneficial, the land revenue demand was often excessively high and inflexible, regardless of crop failures or market fluctuations. This forced ryots to borrow money, especially during lean years or to pay taxes, from local moneylenders, known as sahukars or mahajans.

These sahukars often charged exorbitant interest rates, manipulated accounts, and eventually seized the land and property of the indebted ryots. This created a cycle of debt and land alienation, leading to immense frustration and anger among the peasantry. The revolt described in the question directly targets this exploitation.

1. Understanding the Ryotwari System and its Impact: The Ryotwari system, implemented in regions like the Bombay Deccan, aimed to collect revenue directly from the cultivators. However, the revenue demands were often very high, and the system did not account for crop failures or price drops. This put immense pressure on the ryots to pay their taxes, often forcing them into debt.

2. The Role of Sahukars (Moneylenders): To meet the rigid revenue demands and for other necessities, ryots frequently borrowed from local moneylenders, or sahukars. These sahukars often exploited the ryots' vulnerability by charging high interest rates, forging documents, and eventually dispossessing them of their land and property when they couldn't repay the loans.

3. Identifying the Specific Revolt: The most prominent revolt of ryots against sahukars in the Ryotwari areas of western India was the Deccan Riots of 1875. This uprising saw peasants in several districts of the Bombay Presidency target moneylenders, burning their account books and debt bonds, and sometimes their houses.

   Watch out

   It's crucial to distinguish between different peasant movements. While many involved grievances against exploitation, the specific combination of "ryots," "sahukars," and "Ryotwari system" points directly to the Deccan Riots, which were distinct from movements against zamindars (like in Awadh or Bengal) or indigo planters (like in Barrackpore's vicinity). …