Examine the canser of revolt by the ryots against moneylender.

Question :Examine the canser of revolt by the ryots against moneylender.

The correct answer is -The revolt by the ryots (peasant farmers) against moneylenders in India can be traced back to the colonial period, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. At that time, moneylenders, who were often upper-caste Hindus or Muslims, held a dominant position in rural credit markets, and often exploited the poor ryots by charging exorbitant interest rates and imposing harsh repayment terms.

The ryots, who were largely dependent on moneylenders for credit to finance their agricultural operations, were often unable to repay their loans due to crop failure, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances. This led to a cycle of debt and bondage, where the ryots were forced to mortgage their land, livestock, and even their own labor to the moneylenders.

In response to this exploitation, ryots organized themselves into various movements to resist the moneylenders’ power. One such movement was the Deccan Riots of 1875-1877, which took place in the Deccan plateau region of India. The ryots in this region, led by the social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, demanded lower interest rates, better repayment terms, and the abolition of the moneylenders’ monopoly over credit.

Another prominent revolt against moneylenders was the Kisan Sabha movement, which emerged in the 1920s and 1930s in various parts of India. This movement, which was led by socialist leaders like Swami Sahajanand Saraswati and N.G. Ranga, aimed to organize peasants into a unified force to challenge the dominance of landlords and moneylenders. The Kisan Sabha demanded lower interest rates, debt relief, and the redistribution of land to the landless.

These movements had a significant impact on Indian society, and contributed to the growth of peasant organizations and the development of a more equitable credit system. However, the power of moneylenders persisted for many years, and it was not until the nationalization of banks in the 1960s that the rural credit market began to undergo significant structural changes. Today, while the situation has improved to some extent, the problem of rural indebtedness and exploitation by moneylenders still persists in many parts of India.