Who was a ‘sahukar’ in late 1800s?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Someone who acted as both a moneylender and a trader
A sahukar was someone who acted as both a moneylender and a trader. In the Deccan, ryots depended on the sahukars for loans, and their anger broke out in the revolt of 1875. It began at Supa, a market village in Poona district, and spread to Ahmednagar: everywhere sahukars were attacked, their account books burnt and their debt bonds destroyed.
NCERT (2025-26): “3.1 Account books are burnt … The movement began at Supa, a large village in Poona (present-day Pune) district. It was a market centre where many shopkeepers and moneylenders lived. On 12 May1875, ryots from surrounding rural areas gathered and attacked the shopkeepers, demanding their bahi khatas (account books) and debt bonds. They burnt the khatas, looted grain shops, and in some cases set fire to the houses of sahukars. From Poona the revolt spread to Ahmednagar. Then over the next two months it spread even further, over an area of 6,500 square km. More than thirty villages were affected. Everywhere the pattern was the same: sahukars were attacked, account books burnt and debt bonds destroyed. Terrified of peasant attacks, the sahukars fled the villages, very often leaving their property and belongings behind. As the revolt spread, British officials saw the spectre of 1857 (see Chapter 11). Police posts were established in villages to frighten rebellious peasants into submission. Troops were quickly called in; 951 people were arrested, and many convicted. But it took several months to bring the countryside under control.… …A sahukar was someone who acted as both a moneylender and a trader.” |