The farmers were unable to pay heavy taxes imposed by the Jagirdars and Zamindars and became slaves (Bhagela) of them. Bagels were generally farming slaves.
This Bhagela system was in practice in Nalgonda, Warangal districts ofTelangana.
The Bhagelas became the slaves of the landlord for not repaying the debt. They worked in the house or agricultural lands or cattle sheds of the landlords.
Their debt was not repaid even though they work day and night. Instead, it was increased with compound interest. If the unpaid Bhagela got married, his wife also became a Bhagela.
Their children also became the slaves of the landlord. To check this system, Nizam’s government introduced the Hyderabad Bhagela Agreements Regulation in 1935.
