Concept:The Deccan Agriculturalists' Relief Act of 1879 aimed to protect peasants from losing their land due to debt to moneylenders.
Explanation:The Act was a direct result of the Deccan Riots of 1875.
In those riots, peasants attacked moneylenders (
sahukars) who charged high interest.
A commission was set up and reported in 1878.
The Act of 1879 introduced two key protections.
First, it prevented peasants from being arrested or imprisoned for failing to repay debts.
Second, it restricted the sale of land for indebtedness to outsiders (non-agriculturists).
This ensured that land remained within the farming community.
The Act did not restore lands already lost, nor did it provide financial assistance for ceremonies.
It also changed legal procedures so that peasants could only be sued in the district where they owned land.
Thus, the core objective was to curb the transfer of agricultural land to moneylenders from outside the village.
Answer:Option C: Restrict the sale of land for indebtedness to outsiders.