The immediate cause of the Deccan Riots of 1875 was:
- AThe shadow of a famine
- BHigh interest rates charged by Mahajans
- CHigh land revenue rates
- DProtest against imposition
- ENone of the above/More than one of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) High interest rates charged by Mahajans
Explanation
The Deccan Riots of 1875 had many causes, such as: high interest rates charged by Mahajans and peasants becoming permanently indebted; high interest rates related to land revenue; getting peasants to sign loan documents by mortgaging their fields, houses, etc., due to illiteracy and poverty; and the failure of peasants to protect their interests due to the complex and costly judicial system. The Bihar Public Service Commission considered option (b) as the correct answer.