Cultivation:
1. Seedbed preparation: In the early spring, a seedbed was prepared by ploughing and harrowing the land.
2. Sowing: Indigo seeds were sown in the prepared seedbed.
3. Irrigation and weeding: The field was irrigated regularly to ensure sufficient moisture for germination and plant growth. Weeding was done to remove unwanted plants and maintain the health of indigo plants.
4. Harvesting: The indigo plants were harvested when they reached maturity, usually 100 to 120 days after sowing.
Extraction of Indigo Dye:
1. Steeping: The harvested indigo plants were bundled and soaked in large vats filled with water. This process, called steeping, allowed the indigo leaves to release their soluble pigments into the water.
2. Beating and fermentation: After steeping, the water containing the indigo pigments was beaten vigorously to encourage oxidation and release more dye. This beating also aided in the growth and development of the indigo bacteria, which played an essential role in the extraction process.
3. Settling: The mixture was then left undisturbed for the indigo pigments to settle at the bottom of the vats.
4. Drawing off the supernatant: The water above the settled pigments was carefully drained off, leaving the concentrated indigo dye at the bottom.
Processing:
1. Boiling: The concentrated dye was boiled to further enhance the color and remove any impurities.
2. Evaporation and crystallization: The boiled dye was then allowed to evaporate, and the remaining solid indigo was collected and crystallized into blocks or cakes.
3. Packing: The crystallized indigo was packed in crates and transported to markets for trading.
Impact of Indigo Production:
Indigo production in India was highly exploitative, and its cultivation was often associated with oppressive practices towards farmers and agricultural laborers. The British Raj encouraged large-scale indigo cultivation through forced labor and unfair contracts with farmers, known as the "indigo system." These practices led to widespread social and economic distress in many parts of India.
In response to the oppressive conditions, resistance movements and protests emerged, culminating in the Indigo Revolt in 1859-60. This rebellion played a significant role in drawing attention to the exploitative nature of British colonial rule and brought about some reforms in the indigo cultivation practices in India.