SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY
Pages from the History of India: British Colonial Rule, Horrors of Colonization
(Selected Excerpts)
"Last year, as our peasanum (principal paddy or rice crops) failed for want of rain, we were unable to pay as usual. When the jamalbandi was made we claimed a remission on account of the losses, according to the terms of the agreement entered into in 1837, by us, when Mr. Eden was our collector. As this remission was not allowed, we refused to take our puttahs. The tahsildar then commenced to compel us to pay with great severity, from the month of June to August. I and others were placed in charge of persons who used to take us in the sun. There we were made to stoop and stones were put on our backs, and we were kept in the burning sand. After 8 o'clock, we were let to go to our rice. Such like ill treatment was continued during three months, during which we sometimes went to give our petitions to the collector, who refused to take them. We took these petitions and appealed to the Sessions Court, who transmitted them to the collector. Still we got no justice. In the month of September, a notice was served upon us, and twenty-five days after, our property was distrained, and afterward sold. Besides what I have mentioned, our women were also ill-treated; the kittee was put upon their breasts."
"When a European or native regiment passes through, all the ryots are pressed to bring in provisions, etc., for nothing , and should any of 'them ask for the price of the articles, they are severely tortured."
A Brahmin along with several co-villagers was ordered to provide free raw materials and labor for a bridge. On refusing, he was manhandled by 12 men and subject to considerable ill-treatment. In his complaint, he testified: "I presented a complaint to the Sub-Collector, Mr. W. Cadell, but he made no inquiry, and tore my complaint. As he is desirous of completing cheaply the Coleroon Bridge-work at the expense of the poor and of acquiring a good name from the Government, whatever may be the nature of the murder committed by the tahsildar, takes no cognizance of it."
"In matters under the immediate cognizance or direction of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Brereton himself, the houses of wealthy citizens had been ceaselessly searched; that property seized on such occasions was detained for lengthened periods; that many parties were thrown into prison, and lay there for weeks, without charges exhibited against them; and that the laws relating to security for bad character had been applied with sweeping and indiscriminating severity."
Peasants from Tippu Sultan's Mysore who compare conditions under Tippu and the East India Company: "While we were cultivating wet and dry lands, hill tracts, low tracts and forests, paying the light assessment fixed upon us, thereby enjoying tranquility and happiness under the administra tion of 'Ranee', Bahadur and Tippoo, the then Circar servants, levied an additional assessment, but we never paid it. We were not subject to privations, oppressions or ill-usages in collecting the revenue. On the surrender of this country to the Honourable Campany, (the East India Company) they devised all sorts of plans to squeeze out money from us. With this pernicious object in view, they invented rules and framed regulations, and directed their collectors and civil judges to put them in execution. But the then collectors and their subordinate native officials paid for some time due attention to our grievances, and acted in consonance with our wishes. On the contrary, the present collectors and their subordinate officials, desirous of obtaining promotion on any account whatever, neglect the welfare and interests of the people in general and turn a deaf ear to our grievances, and subject us to all sorts of oppressions."
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