Question

Explain the term “Vetti” used during the 19th Century.

Answer 1

For this answer, the following points need to be kept in mind

• Mention the definition of Vetti i.e. “forced unpaid manual labour”. These are the keywords.
• Next, explain the practice of vetti. Mention that soldiers were used to enforce this practice.
• Lastly, talk about the implication. This will include that farmers couldn't give enough time on their own lands.

Answer: During colonial times, labourers were forced to do manual labour on the farms of the landlords without any pay.

• This form of forced unpaid labour was known as Vetti.
• If the farmers did not agree, they were forcefully picked up by soldiers who would ensure that vetti was performed.
• Due to the forced nature of the work, peasants often did not find adequate time to work on their own fields and this resulted in their own land getting neglected.
• Sometimes people walking on the streets would also get picked up for this forced unpaid work which resulted in huge exploitation of the peasantry.