Question

The following report, titled ‘The ryot and the moneylender’, appeared in the Native Opinion (6 June 1876) and was quoted in Report of the Native Newspapers of Bombay: They (the ryots) first place spies on the boundaries of their villages to see if any Government officers come, and to give timely intimation of their arrival to the offenders. They then assemble in a body and go to the houses of their creditors, and demand from them a surrender of their bonds and other documents, and threaten them in case of refusal with assault and plunder. If any Government officer happens to approach the villages where the above is taking place, the spies give intimation to the offenders and the latter disperse in time.

The words and terms used by a writer often tell us something about his or her prejudices. Read the above source carefully and pick out the terms that indicate any prejudices of the writer. Discuss how a ryot of the area would have described the same situation.

Answer 1

1. The writer describes the ryots as “offenders”, which makes them appear like criminals.
2. The report says that the ryots “intimidated” their creditors and threatened them with “assault and plunder”.
3. These words show that the writer viewed the ryots mainly as violent and troublesome people.
4. The report does not give much attention to the reasons why the ryots were angry with the moneylenders.
5. A ryot might have described the situation differently. He might have said that the peasants were heavily indebted and were being exploited by moneylenders.
6. The ryots may have wanted the moneylenders to return or cancel the bonds and documents connected with their debts.
7. A ryot might have described their actions as a protest against unfair debts and exploitation, rather than simply as violence.

Thus, the newspaper report reflects the viewpoint of the authorities and creditors, while the ryots might have seen the same events as a struggle against injustice and oppression.