July 05, 2008

Egyptian peasants

Generally it is said that Egypt is the gift of river Nile. However, the truth of the matter is that it was the peasants who contributed to the fertility of Egypt by digging canals and bringing water to the fields and thereby developed an efficient system of irrigation. They built dykes to conserve water. They laboured hard to cultivate crops and brought their products to the markets for sale. They were the people who provided food to cities.

On the other hand, the government imposed a number of taxes on their crops and cattle and took away their surplus product. The government officials visited the villages twice a year to evaluate crops and levied taxes which were received very harshly.

When the peasants were free from tending crops, they were forced by the government to work in constructing buildings, especially the pyramids. So, they converted from peasants to labourers. Instead of any payment, they were provided food which consisted of vegetable, meat and bread.

As a result of it, the peasants lived in extreme poverty and misery. They did not have any property. They lived in huts and wore simple unstitched dress. They were reduced to such a position that to rebel against the government was unthinkable for them. Moreover, they could not fight against the royal army because they possessed stone or wooden weapons while the government soldiers had bronze weapons which were most effective in war.

There are paintings of peasants on the walls of temples and pyramids which provide us with plenty of information about their living condition. It is evident from these pictures that they worked hard and contributed to the advancement of the civilisation. However, they themselves endured all types of hardships and enjoyed little benefit of their labour.

It is human nature to tolerate exploitation to a certain level. When it becomes intolerable, he rebels against his tormentors and the system. In case of ancient Egypt, we find few rebellions because of the strict control of the government. However, there was a rebellion which shook the whole country. It occurred in 18th century BC. In this rebellion the peasants were joined by artisans and slaves as well. Rebels were so furious that they broke the pyramids and threw bodies of some of the Pharaohs from coffins, occupied temples and government buildings, burnt official documents and distributed food and drinks among the people. As a result of it the reigning Pharaoh had to abdicate. However, the rebellion was brutally crushed. But it indicates injustice of the Egyptian society.