JESSORE, July 25: The historic revolt by indigo cultivators popularly known as Indigo Revolt has occupied an important chapter in the history of oppressive British rule in India. It was a mas uprising by Indigo Cultivators against the European planters in the sixties of 19th century. Their continued oppression and inhuman torture with the poor cultivators triggered this revolt. According to historical account, Jessore played the vital role in this revolt. Its planning, strategy, organisational development and escalation were handled from here under the direction of veteran leaders.

According to records, the first target which was hit by the rebels was the Katgora Indigo Manufacturing Plant under Chougachha thana, previously Moheshpur in this district in 1854-55. It was partially damaged by setting it on fore. A number of workers and security guards were killed. To the European planters of different companies in the district and elsewhere, The attack was quite surprising. It was followed by the attacks on Chougachha Indiago Plant and that of Khalishpur under the same district by the rebels. rebels caused an extrusive damage to machineries and establishments. What is remarkable is that the sequence of these events sparked tense situation in the area. It created a law and order problem for the foreigners.

However, these were stray incidents. The real and well organised revolt against the European planters flared up in 1858 following the brutal killing of Shawtal leader Kanu by the foreign company's agent. He was killed to suppress the revolt. Kanu, coming from lower caste was bold and courageous to face any hard reality. This made him a terror to British people. The revolt was further intensified and spread both in speed and action when Digomber Biswas, dewan of Chougachha plant and Bishnu Charan, dewan of Khalishpur Plant under this district, joined the revolt by resigning their rewarding job from Indigo company. They are still remembered for their dynamism, credibility and leadership. Their dynamism impressed people. Their rare quality of uncompromising attitude on matters of principle inspired the participants in this revolt. Their active participation in the revolt in fused new vigour to all ranks and files. The European planters felt nervous and frightened. The rebels went on hunting the Indigo company's men for killing. Genocide, arson, and lootings began from all around. But all these remained confined to only European Indigo manufacturing plants. As a result the European planters and their men left the station in search of safety and protection. French Indigo expert and a trader Lui Bond was the first foreigner to come to Jessore. He got a vast tract of land as settlement from The East India Company to cultivate Indigo at Rupadia, a few kilometrs away from Jessore town in 1795.

He started cultivation on commercial basis. He found it very profitable. Soon he took settlement of more land in different areas of this district and elsewhere. Soil fertility, high yielding result, cheaper cost of cultivation attracted the planters to choose the land in eastern part of the Ganges for Indigo cultivation. According to a writer, a total of 18 such manufacturing plants were set up in the name of New Bengal Indigo Company. These were: Khalgbalia, Rudrapur, Mullahati Kadgora, Bagadanga, Pipulbari, Pipragachi, Bhabanipur, Benapole, Durgapur, Gaighata, Hoogli, Mirjapur, Naradah, Nohata, Ichapur, Chougachha and Khalishpur. Contradicting this number, another writer said that there were 116 offices of company's head office for administrative and monitoring purposes.

The offices to supervise the production and collection were 628 and number of plans were 7452. The total strength of employees was 18,482, the cultivators engaged in the cultivation rose to 1,12,36000. Most of them were forced labourers. It was the statistics available in this connection during 1814-15, while its cultivation was at infant stage. According to another prominent historian WW Hunter, who went round the Indigo cultivating area in Bengal in 1814-15 reported that indigo was cultivated on 20, 40,000 bighas of land covering the districts of Jessore, Khulna, Nadia, 24 Pargunas, Bogra, Pabna, Rajshahi, Maldah, Murshidabad, Mymensingh, Bakergonj and Faridpur.

He also mentioned that indigo production in these areas rose to 1280000 maunds. The Major portion of world demand for indigo was met from Bengal. British, Dutch and French owners occupied indigo production field and monopolised the markets under patronage and assistance of East India Company. The optimum production of indigo was achieved in mid-nineteen century. Another historian Buckland in his work said, Jessore production of indigo was the finest in quality and colour in world market. A large number of Showfal people with their family were brought to these area to utilise their services for production and process of indigo in manufacturing plants. Their generations was found at Chougachha, Khalishpur, Kadgora, Jessore. They are black in complexion and strict to their own dialect. They have merged with the society. They are now getting educated. During the beginning of nineteen century the socio-economic condition of the society was not bad. Agriculture was their main occupation. But the marketing facility was too limited. The only customers were the British people, Zaminders and their agents. So when indigo cultivation was introduced under the initiative of British people, poor cultivators were allured of high price, and cash payment. They could not recognise the nature of European people at first. But when the cultivation became wide and extensive, production increased much, the traders unveiled their original characters and began to exploit the cultivators indiscriminately. Their trade policy was unearthed.

Indigo cultivator with the help of local opinion leaders Organised themselves to protest the Policy. Gradually, their organisations became stronger. Meanwhile, the miseries and problems of the cultivators done by European planters were, published in the Ammritobazar Patrika in 1869. It was first of its kind published from a village Dohar, Magura under Jhinkergachha thana in the district. The Editor of the newspaper was Sishir Kumar Ghose. The paper still exist and being published from Calcutta in West Bengal in the same declaration and nomenclature. Later, Michael Modhusudan Dutta also critised the British government from London. The contributions of both the Editor and the poet rocked the British Government. The 'Nil Darpan' , a drama, written by Dino Bandhu on the oppression of indigo planters of Jessore and neighbouring districts also played a very important role. It aroused public sentiment against the indigo company and the East India Company. The take-over of British Indian administrative by British Government from the East India Company in 1858 and termination of the system of compulsory cultivation of indigo through coercion of the European planters positive effect in 1859 was the positive effect of protests by the Editor of Ammritobazar Patrika, Poet Michael Modhusudan and Dino Bandhu.