134 CULTIVATION OF INDIGO. 



titute that he is unable to pay the planter. Therefore he 

 sows the indigo to discharge himself of the obligations 

 incurred by taking advances, and not from the remunera- 

 tion from the plant itself. Consequently many of those 

 who take advances never will sow ; and the majority of 

 them will not sow except by compulsion of the law. Every 

 advance made has to be given on government stamps, or 

 the government will, if at all, assist the planter with 

 great reluctance. But beyond all these troubles it often 

 happens that the planter will resort to every expedient to 

 compel the riot to take advances and cultivate the plant ; 

 and for that purpose he rents the districts around him 

 from the zemendars, (land-holders,) that he may have the 

 immediate control over the ryot, (farmer,) as his landlord, 

 and through that power force him into the cultivation ; 

 and to obtain that power he will pay the government 

 revenue for the land, and pay another revenue to the 

 zemendar. The trouble ends not here ; the lands for 

 indigo are limited. The zemendar often sells his right to 

 two planters ; but generally all zemendaries (estates) are 

 held in India by a family, each having a certain share, 

 not in the division of the lands, but in the proceeds. One 

 brother may have one " hissa," (share,) another five, and 

 perhaps some friends or cousins five shares more. Each 

 may go and sell his right to different planters, who 

 make their advances, and when the crop comes to be cut, 

 then is the " tug of war." Lattimars (hired fighters) 

 are called into requisition, broken heads and bones, and 

 frequently murders, are the consequences. Then law- 

 suits on law-suits, appeals after appeals ; and there is but 

 little exaggeration in stating that of the whole cost of the 

 production of indigo, 25 per cent, goes in law j and cer- 



