Peasant Movements were part of social movements against British atrocities during the British Colonial Period in the 18th and 19th centuries. These movements existed solely to restore earlier forms of rule and social relations. In this article, we will discuss the Peasants Movements (1857 - 1947) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Peasant Movements - Background

• The impoverishment of the Indian peasantry was a direct result of the transformation of the agrarian structure as a result of colonial economic policies, the ruin of handicrafts leading to overcrowding of land, the new land revenue system, and the colonial administrative and judicial system.
• Peasants in zamindari areas faced high rents, illegal levies, arbitrary evictions, and unpaid labour. The government levied heavy land taxes in Ryotwari areas.
• Fearing the loss of his only source of income, the overburdened farmer frequently approached the local moneylender, who took full advantage of the former's difficulties by extracting high interest rates on the money lent.
• Often, the farmer was forced to mortgage his land and cattle. The mortgaged items were sometimes seized by the moneylender. Over large areas, actual cultivators were gradually reduced to the status of tenants-at-will, sharecroppers, and landless labourers.
• Peasants frequently resisted exploitation, and they soon realised that their true adversary was the colonial state.
• In some cases, desperate peasants turned to crime to escape intolerable conditions. These crimes included robbery, dacoity, and social banditry.

Indigo Revolt (1859 - 1860)

• In Bengal, indigo planters, nearly all of whom were Europeans, exploited local peasants by forcing them to grow indigo on their lands instead of more lucrative crops like rice.
• The planters forced the peasants to take advance payments and enter into fraudulent contracts, which were then used against them.
• The planters intimidated the peasants through kidnappings, illegal confinement, flogging, attacks on women and children, cattle seizure, house burning and demolition, and crop destruction.
• The peasants' rage erupted in 1859, when they decided not to grow indigo under duress, led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas of Nadia district, and resisted the physical pressure of the planters and their lathiyals (retainers), backed by police and the courts. They also formed a counter-force to the planters' attacks.
• The Bengali intelligentsia played an important role in supporting the peasants' cause by organising mass meetings, preparing memoranda on peasants' grievances, and assisting them in legal battles.
• The government formed an indigo commission to investigate the issue of indigo cultivation. Based on its recommendations, the government issued a notification in November 1860 stating that ryots could not be forced to grow indigo and that all disputes would be resolved through legal means.
• However, the planters were already closing down factories, and by the end of 1860, indigo cultivation had all but disappeared from Bengal.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Indigo Revolt (1859-60).

Pabna Agrarian League (1878 - 1880)

• During the 1870s and 1880s, large parts of Eastern Bengal experienced agrarian unrest as a result of zamindars' oppressive practises. The zamindars raised rents above the legal limit and prevented tenants from acquiring occupancy rights under Act X of 1859.
• To achieve their goals, the zamindars used forcible evictions, cattle and crop seizures, and lengthy, costly litigation in courts where the poor peasant was at a disadvantage.
• With enough of the oppressive regime, the peasants of Yusufshahi Pargana in Patna district formed an agrarian league or combination to oppose the zamindars' demands.
• Though peasant discontent persisted until 1885, the majority of cases had been resolved, partly through official persuasion and partly due to zamindars' fears.
• Many peasants were successful in acquiring occupancy rights and resisting increased rents. In addition, the government promised to enact legislation to protect tenants from the worst aspects of zamindari oppression. The Bengal Tenancy Act was passed in 1885.

Deccan Riots (1867)

• The Ryotwari system heavily taxed the ryots of western India's Deccan region. Again, the peasants were caught in a vicious network, this time with the moneylender as the exploiter and main beneficiary. These moneylenders were mostly outsiders—Marwaris or Gujaratis.
• Conditions had deteriorated due to a drop in cotton prices following the end of the American Civil War in 1864, the government's decision to increase land revenue by 50% in 1867, and a string of poor harvests.
• The growing conflict between moneylenders and peasants resulted in a social boycott movement organised by the ryots against the "outsider" moneylenders in 1874.
• The government was successful in suppressing the movement. The Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act was passed in 1879 as a conciliation measure.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Deccan Riots (1867).

Changed Nature of Peasant Movement after 1857

• Peasants emerged as the primary force in agrarian movements, fighting for their own demands directly.
• The demands were almost entirely focused on economic issues.
• The movements were aimed at the peasants' immediate adversaries: foreign planters, indigenous zamindars, and moneylenders.
• The struggles were aimed at achieving specific and limited goals and resolving specific grievances.
• These movements were not aimed at colonialism.
• The goal of these movements was not to end the peasant subordination or exploitation system.
• The territorial scope was limited.
• There was no long-term organisation or continuity of struggle.
• The peasants became acutely aware of their legal rights and asserted them both inside and outside of the courts.

Kisan Sabha Movement (1857)

• The Awadh taluqdars reclaimed their lands after the 1857 revolt. This strengthened the taluqdars' (large landlords') grip on the province's agrarian society.
• The majority of cultivators were subjected to high rents, summary evictions (bedakhali), illegal levies, renewal fees, or nazrana.
• Food and other necessities were more expensive during the First World War. This aggravated the plight of the UP peasants.
• Kisan Sabhas were organised in UP primarily due to the efforts of Home Rule activists. Gauri Shankar Mishra and Indra Narayan Dwivedi established the United Provinces Kisan Sabha in February 1918. Madan Mohan Malaviya backed them up. By June 1919, the UP Kisan Sabha had 450 branches.
• Because of differences in nationalist ranks, the Awadh Kisan Sabha was formed in October 1920.
• The movement faded quickly, owing in part to government repression and in part to the passage of the Awadh Rent (Amendment) Act.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Kisan Sabha Movement (1857).

Eka Movement (1921)

• The Eka Movement, also known as the Unity Movement, is a peasant movement that began in Hardoi, Bahraich, and Sitapur at the end of 1921. It was founded by Congress and the Khalifat movement and was later led by Madari Pasi.
• The main reason for the move was high rent, which in some areas was more than 50% of the recorded rent. Oppression of thekedars entrusted with collecting rent, as well as the practise of share rent, contributed to this movement.
• The Eka meetings were marked by a religious ritual in which a hole representing the Ganga was dug in the ground and filled with water, a priest was brought in to preside.
• The assembled peasants vowed that they would pay only recorded rent but pay it on time, would not leave when ejected, would refuse to do forced labour, would not help criminals and would abide by Panchayat decisions, they would not pay revenue without receipt, and they would remain united under
• This movement included small zamindars who were dissatisfied with the British government due to high land revenue demands.
• Soon after, the Movement's leadership shifted from Congress to Madari Pasi, a low caste leader who was not willing to accept nonviolence. As a result, the movement lost contact with the nationalist class.
• Because the national leader in this case was Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideology was based on nonviolence.
• The Eka Movement came to an end in March 1922 as a result of severe repression by authorities.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Eka Movement (1921).

Mappila Revolt (1921)

• The Mappilas were Muslim tenants who lived in the Malabar region, where the majority of the landlords were Hindus.
• During the nineteenth century, the Mappilas also expressed their resentment of landlord oppression. Their complaints centred on a lack of tenure security, high rents, renewal fees, and other oppressive exactions.
• The Mappila tenants were especially encouraged by the local Congress body's demand for government legislation governing tenant-landlord relations. The Mappila movement eventually merged with the ongoing Khilafat agitation.
• Mappila meetings were addressed by leaders of the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation Movement such as Gandhi, Shaukat Ali, and Maulana Azad. Following the arrest of national leaders, leadership passed to local Mappila leaders.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Mappila Revolt (1921).

Bardoli Satyagraha (1926)

• After Gandhi's arrival on the national political scene, the Bardoli taluqa in Surat district experienced intense politicisation.
• The movement began in January 1926, when the government decided to increase land revenue by 30%. The Congress leaders quickly protested, and a Bardoli Inquiry Committee was formed to look into the matter.
• The committee determined that the revenue increase was unjustified. Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed to lead the movement in February 1926. The women of Bardoli bestowed upon him the title "Sardar."
• The Bardoli peasants decided under Patel to refuse payment of the revised assessment until the government appointed an independent tribunal or accepted the current amount as full payment.
• Massive tension had built up in the area by August 1928. There was talk of a railway strike in Bombay.
• Gandhi arrived in Bardoli to be on standby in case of an emergency. The government was now looking for a graceful exit. It stipulated that all occupants must first pay the increased rent (not actually done).
• Then, a committee investigated the situation and determined that the revenue increase was unjustified, recommending only a 6.03 percent increase.

All India Kisan Sabha (1936)

• In April 1936, Swami Sahjanand Saraswati was elected president, and N.G. Ranga was appointed general secretary.
• A kisan manifesto was issued, and a periodical was launched under the direction of Indulal Yagnik.
• In 1936, both the All India Kisan Sabha(AIKS) and the Congress met in Faizpur.
• The AIKS agenda had a strong influence on the Congress manifesto (particularly the agrarian policy) for the 1937 provincial elections.

For detailed notes of this topic, check this link All India Kisan Sabha (1936).

Impact of Peasant Movements

• Though these revolts did not aim to remove British rule from India, they did raise awareness among Indians.
• The peasants became acutely aware of their legal rights and asserted them both inside and outside of the courts.
• Peasants emerged as the primary force in agrarian movements, fighting for their own demands directly.
• During the Non-Cooperation Movement, various Kisan Sabhas were formed to organise and agitate for peasant demands.
• These movements weakened the landed class's power, contributing to the transformation of the agrarian structure.
• Peasants felt compelled to band together and fight exploitation and oppression.
• These insurgent movements paved the way for a slew of other uprisings across the country.

Conclusion

Because of the peasantry's lack of differentiation and the all-encompassing nature of the anti-imperialist struggle, the Peasant Movement was able to unite all sections of the peasantry, including landless labourers, in its anti-feudal and anti-imperialist crusade. The nonviolent ideology had given the peasants who took part in the movement a lot of strength. The movement also contributed to the rise of nationalism.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which movement was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel?

A. Indigo Revolt
B. Bardoli Satyagraha
C. Pabna Agrarian League
D. Mappila Rebellion

2. The Pabna Agrarian League was formed in response to:

A. High interest rates from moneylenders
B. Oppressive actions by zamindars
C. Forced indigo cultivation
D. British land revenue policies

3. The Deccan Riots occurred in:

A. 1857
B. 1860
C. 1875
D. 1885

4. The All India Kisan Sabha was established in:

A. 1936
B. 1920
C. 1942
D. 1947

5. Which revolt led to the Indigo Commission being formed?

A. Deccan Riots
B. Pabna League
C. Indigo Revolt
D. Bardoli Satyagraha

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of peasant movements in shaping India's agrarian policies during British rule.

Answer: Peasant movements from 1857 to 1947 were instrumental in highlighting the exploitation of rural India by landlords, moneylenders, and the colonial government. Movements like the Indigo Revolt and Bardoli Satyagraha exposed the flaws in colonial agrarian policies and influenced legislation such as the Bengal Tenancy Act and Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act. These movements helped to shape India's post-independence agrarian reforms, such as land redistribution and the abolition of the zamindari system.

Q2: Analyze the economic and social causes of the Deccan Riots of 1875.

Answer: The Deccan Riots were triggered by the exploitative practices of moneylenders, who charged exorbitant interest rates and seized lands when peasants defaulted on loans. Economic hardships were exacerbated by a sharp decline in cotton prices post-Civil War in America, leading to crop failures and increased land taxes. Social tensions between local peasants and moneylenders, often of different ethnicities, fueled the riots, which culminated in legislative changes to protect peasants.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of the All India Kisan Sabha on the nationalist movement in India.

Answer: The All India Kisan Sabha played a pivotal role in politicizing the peasantry, bringing their grievances into the larger nationalist struggle. By aligning with the Congress during the 1937 elections, the Sabha influenced the party’s agrarian policies, advocating for land reforms and tenant rights. The Sabha’s activism also ensured that the issues of rural India were not sidelined in the larger fight for independence.

Previous Year Questions on Peasant Movements

1. UPSC CSE Prelims

Question: The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 was led by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C. Jawaharlal Nehru
D. Rajendra Prasad

Answer: B

Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the Bardoli Satyagraha, which protested against increased land taxes.

2. UPSC CSE Mains

Question: How did peasant movements contribute to the weakening of colonial rule in India?

Explanation: Peasant movements exposed the exploitative nature of British agrarian policies and helped weaken the support base of colonial rule. These movements united peasants across regional and religious lines, creating a broader resistance to British authority. The colonial government’s inability to fully suppress these uprisings demonstrated the growing discontent and challenged the legitimacy of British rule.