The discovery of synthetic dyes
Explanation
The indigo industry in India was a significant component of British commercial agriculture. However, its viability was heavily dependent on international market demand. In the late 19th century, technological advancements in Europe drastically altered the global trade dynamics for dye-stuffs.Analysis:
- The Champaran Satyagraha is Incorrect: The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was a consequence of the exploitative practices enforced by planters after the indigo business had already become unviable. It was a reaction to the decline and the planters' attempts to shift losses onto the peasants, not the cause of the decline itself.
- The discovery of synthetic dyes is Correct: The invention of synthetic dyes (specifically by German chemists in the late 19th century) provided a cheaper and more durable alternative to natural indigo. This technological breakthrough led to a collapse in the demand for Indian natural indigo in the international market, making the business unprofitable.
- The permanent ban on indigo export is Incorrect: There was no permanent ban on indigo exports imposed by the government. The decline was market-driven due to the availability of a superior substitute.
- The exhaustion of soil in Bihar is Incorrect: While indigo cultivation was known to be exhausting for the soil, this ecological factor was a long-standing issue managed by crop rotation and was not the primary trigger for the sudden collapse of the business in the late 19th century.
Key Takeaway:
The discovery of German synthetic dyes in the late 19th century rendered natural indigo uncompetitive, leading to the collapse of the indigo industry in India and precipitating the agrarian crisis that triggered the Champaran Satyagraha.