Indigo cultivation in India declined by the beginning of the 20th century because of

1. Peasant resistance to the oppressive conduct of planters
2. Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions
3. National leaders’ opposition to the cultivation of Indigo
4. Government control over the planters

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The decline of indigo cultivation in India in the early 20th century was primarily driven by the advent of synthetic dyes, particularly synthetic indigo. By the end of the 19th century, synthetic dyes became widely available, which drastically reduced the demand for natural indigo.
• Traditionally, indigo was a natural dye extracted from certain plants, and India had been a major producer of indigo for the global market. Synthetic dyes offered cost-effective alternatives and could be produced in larger quantities, making them more attractive to manufacturers. As a result, the market for natural indigo became unprofitable, leading to a decline in its cultivation in India.

Answer: (b) Its unprofitability in the world market because of new inventions; Difficulty Level: Easy