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

The correct answer is option 2.

Key PointsIndigo Cultivation:

• Decline of Indigo Cultivation:
  • By the beginning of the 20th century, indigo cultivation in India faced significant decline due to multiple factors, with a major reason being the advancements in synthetic dye production, which rendered natural indigo less competitive. Hence option 2 is correct
• Synthetic Dyes:
  • The invention of synthetic dyes in the late 19th century, particularly the production of aniline dyes, significantly decreased the demand for natural indigo.
  • These synthetic alternatives were cheaper to produce and offered a wider range of colors, leading to a decline in the market for natural indigo.
• Peasant Resistance:
  • While there was indeed peasant resistance against the oppressive practices of planters, this alone did not lead to the decline in cultivation.
  • The economic factors related to profitability played a more crucial role.
• National Leaders' Opposition:
  • While national leaders did advocate against exploitative practices, their opposition was not the primary reason for the decline of indigo cultivation itself.
• Government Control:
  • Government control over planters did exist but did not significantly impact the decline of indigo cultivation.
  • The key issue remained the economic viability due to market changes.