Deccan Riots

Quick Facts: Who was Deccan Riots?

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Deccan Riots

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Peasant revolts in Maharashtra against debt peonage and moneylenders in 1875.

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Origins & Early Life

In May and June 1875, peasants of Maharashtra, some parts of Poona (now known as Pune), and Ahmednagar districts revolted against increasing agrarian distress. The Deccan Riots of 1875 targeted conditions of debt peonage (kamiuti) to moneylenders. The rioters' specific purpose was to obtain and destroy the bonds, decrees, and other documents in the possession of the moneylenders. The peasants began a systematic attack on the moneylenders’ houses and shops. They seized and publicly burnt debt bonds and deeds signed under pressure, in ignorance, or through fraud and other documents dealing with their debts.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

They socially boycotted the moneylenders. Within days, the disturbances spread to other villages of the Poona and Ahmednagar districts, although there was no anti-colonial consciousness among them. Before the 1860s, 3/4th of the raw cotton imports of Britain came from the United States. British cotton manufacturers established Manchester Cotton Company in 1859 to encourage cotton exports. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, the imports from America fell miserably.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

British merchants started importing and securing cotton from India to maintain the cotton exports. So, they started giving advances to Indian moneylenders who turned this into debts for ryot. Ryots in demand boom took a lot of credit and sometime forcefully given credit and made to sign bonds and deeds. The moneylenders used deceit and fraud to extract as much advantage as possible in this economic condition. After the civil war, the cotton demands fell drastically and moneylenders started recovering their money by charging high interests from ryots.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1859: 1859 Milestone — British cotton manufacturers established Manchester Cotton Company in 1859 to encourage cotton exports.
2. 1861: 1861 Milestone — When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, the imports from America fell miserably.
3. 1875: 1875 Milestone — In May and June 1875, peasants of Maharashtra, some parts of Poona (now known as Pune), and Ahmednagar districts revolted against increasing agrarian distress.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Deccan Riots

True or False: “The Deccan Riots were primarily an anti-colonial uprising aimed at overthrowing British rule.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The riots did not have an explicit anti-colonial consciousness; their immediate focus was on local agrarian distress and debt bondage.

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