Agriculture and Colonialism in 19th Century India

What was the impact of European agricultural practices on the environment?

What is an example of cash cropping in India?

What is the main theme explored in the novel Sea Of Poppies?

What is the geographical feature suitable for poppy cultivation in India?

What is the context of the description of the Ganga river in the novel Sea Of Poppies?

What is a primary concern of postcolonial ecocritics?

What is a form of land exploitation discussed by postcolonial ecocritics?

Who is an example of a postcolonial ecocritic?

What is another term often used to refer to postcolonial ecocriticism?

What geographic region is of primary concern to postcolonial ecocritics?

European Agricultural Practices and Environmental Impact

The introduction of European agricultural practices, such as cash cropping, replaced traditional hunting and farming methods, leading to damaged ecosystems, reduced soil fertility, and desertification.
Examples of cash cropping include opium plantations in India and rubber plantations in Burma.

Postcolonial Ecocriticism

Postcolonial ecocritics explore the themes of the politics of Earth, environmental justice, and the exploitation of landscapes and seascapes in colonized countries.
The politics of Earth involves the exploitation of land and resources by European colonizers, including forest exploitation, plantation, gardening, and resource extraction.
Scholars like Elizabeth DeLoughery examine the exploitation of seascape and islands in the global South.
Postcolonial ecocritics often refer to their field of study as environmental justice.

Sea of Poppies and the British Exploitation of Agriculture

The novel Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh explores the exploitative attitude of the British towards agriculture and harvesting.
The novel opens with a description of poppy fields in the Gangetic plains, which are suitable for poppy cultivation.
The British exploited the natural resources of colonized countries, including India, for their own benefit.

This quiz explores the impact of colonialism on agriculture in 19th century India, including the effects of cash cropping and the exploitation of natural resources by the British.