The colonial state wanted to transform all grazing lands into cultivated farms.’ Give three reasons. What was its impact on the Indian pastoralists ?

The colonial state wanted to transform all grazing lands into cultivated farms.’ Give three reasons. What was its impact on the Indian pastoralists ?

Ans.

(i) The colonial state wanted to transform all grazing lands into cultivated farms as land revenue was one of the main sources of its finance. By expanding cultivation, it could increase its revenue collection.

(ii) It could at the same time produce more jute, cotton, wheat and other agricultural produce that were required in England.

(iii) To colonial officials, all uncultivated land appeared to be unproductive : It produced neither revenue nor agricultural produce. It was seen as \vaste land’ that needed to be brought under cultivation.

(iv) In most areas, the lands taken over were actually grazing tracts used regularly by pastoralists.

(v) So the expansion of cultivation inevitably meant the decline of pastures and a problem for pastoralists.