After presenting all its evidence, the Deccan Riots Commission held w…

After presenting all its evidence, the Deccan Riots Commission held which of the following to blame for the anger of the peasants?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → The moneylenders

Option (1) The moneylenders — Correct. The commission found that it was the moneylenders who were to blame. Colonial records often made this argument, to avoid blaming government action.

Option (2) The government revenue demand — Incorrect. The commission was asked to judge this very point. It reported that the government demand was not the cause of peasant anger.

Option (3) The end of the cotton boom — Incorrect. The end of the cotton boom did leave ryots in debt, but the commission did not name it as the cause. It placed the blame on the moneylenders.

Option (4) Repeated failure of the rains — Incorrect. Poor rains could hurt ryots, but the commission did not blame the weather. Its finding pointed at the moneylenders.

NCERT (2026-27): “4. The Deccan Riots Commission …
In looking at such sources we have to again remember that they are official sources and reflect official concerns and interpretations of events. The Deccan Riots Commission, for instance, was specifically asked to judge whether the level of government revenue demand was the cause of the revolt. And after presenting all the evidence, the commission reported that the government demand was not the cause of peasant anger. It was the moneylenders who were to blame. This argument is found very frequently in colonial records. This shows that there was a persistent reluctance on the part of the colonial government to admit that popular discontent was ever on account of government action. …”