The eventual collapse of indigo production in Bengal was due to a combination of factors, including:

• Low prices: The price that ryots (peasant farmers) received for the indigo they produced was very low, which made it difficult for them to make a living.

• Soil exhaustion: The planters insisted that indigo be cultivated on the best soils, which were also the same soils that peasants preferred to cultivate rice. As the indigo plant had deep roots, it exhausted the soil fertility and made the land unfit for rice cultivation.

• Rebellion: Indian farmers rebelled against being forced to grow indigo plants. The Blue Rebellion broke out in March 1859, which was the beginning of the collapse of indigo production in Bengal. Farmers refused to pay rent to the planters and attacked indigo factories.

• Competition: The international demand for indigo was affected by the discovery of synthetic dyes, which provided competition to natural indigo.

• Government intervention: Following the protests, the Indigo Commission was constituted by the government, which accepted the faults of the planters and asked them to stop the oppressive system of indigo cultivation.

As a result of these factors, indigo cultivation was eventually shifted to Bihar by planters.