Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Modern India: Colonialism and the Countryside

Question:

Which of the following is true about Deccan Riots of 1875?

Options:

It was a revolt of poor ryots against rich ryots.

It was a revolt of ryots against moneylenders.

It was a revolt of ryots against zamindars

It was a revolt of ryots against Britishers

Correct Answer:

It was a revolt of ryots against moneylenders.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 2 - It was a revolt of ryots against moneylenders.

Deccan ryot was against the moneylenders who were exploiting the poor ryots.

Through the nineteenth century, peasants in various parts of India rose in revolt against moneylenders and grain dealers. One such revolt occurred in 1875 in the Deccan. The movement began at 'Supa', a large village in Poona (present-day Pune) district. It was a market center where many shopkeepers and moneylenders lived. On 12 May 1875, 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. 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.