Statement I: The Oudh Kisan Sabha established in 1920 failed to bring under its wing any Kisan Sabhas. Statement II: The Oudh Kisan Sabha asked the Kisans to refuse to till bedakhli land, not to offer hari and begar.
Understanding the Oudh Kisan Sabha and Peasant Movements
The question asks us to evaluate two statements regarding the Oudh Kisan Sabha, an important peasant movement in India during the early 20th century. Let's examine each statement carefully based on historical facts.
Analysing Statement I: Oudh Kisan Sabha and Kisan Sabhas
Statement I says: "The Oudh Kisan Sabha established in 1920 failed to bring under its wing any Kisan Sabhas."
Let's consider the historical context of the Oudh Kisan Sabha:
- The peasant movement in Oudh (Awadh) gained momentum around 1918-1919, with local Kisan Sabhas emerging in various districts.
- These local bodies addressed grievances of tenants against landlords (taluqdars), such as high rents, illegal cesses (abwabs), forced labour (begar), and evictions.
- In October 1920, the Oudh Kisan Sabha was established under the leadership of figures like Baba Ramchandra, within the larger context of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- A primary objective of the Oudh Kisan Sabha was precisely to consolidate and coordinate the activities of the scattered local Kisan Sabhas operating in the Oudh region.
Historical accounts indicate that the Oudh Kisan Sabha was quite successful in integrating many of these local peasant bodies under its central organisation. It did not fail to bring them under its wing; rather, it served as a unifying platform for the peasant discontent.
Therefore, Statement I, which claims the Oudh Kisan Sabha failed to unite other Kisan Sabhas, is incorrect. It is historically false.
Analysing Statement II: Oudh Kisan Sabha's Demands and Actions
Statement II says: "The Oudh Kisan Sabha asked the Kisans to refuse to till bedakhli land, not to offer hari and begar."
Let's break down the terms and actions mentioned:
- Bedakhli land: This refers to land from which tenants had been illegally evicted by landlords. Refusing to till such land was a form of protest against unfair evictions.
- Hari and Begar: These refer to different forms of forced labour or unpaid service that tenants were often compelled to provide to landlords. Hari involved ploughing the landlord's land, and begar was general unpaid labour. Refusing these was a direct challenge to the exploitative practices of the landlords.
Historical records of the Oudh peasant movement confirm that the Oudh Kisan Sabha advocated for specific actions against landlord oppression. Encouraging peasants to resist forced labour (hari and begar) and protest unfair evictions by refusing to cultivate 'bedakhli' land were key strategies adopted by the movement to empower tenants and put pressure on landlords.
Therefore, Statement II accurately reflects some of the significant demands and calls to action made by the Oudh Kisan Sabha to the peasants (Kisans) in the region. It is historically true.
Conclusion based on Statement Analysis
Based on the analysis:
- Statement I is false. The Oudh Kisan Sabha successfully integrated many local Kisan Sabhas.
- Statement II is true. The Oudh Kisan Sabha did call for resistance against tilling 'bedakhli' land, 'hari', and 'begar'.
Thus, Statement I is false, but Statement II is true.
| Statement | Analysis | Truth Value |
|---|---|---|
| Statement I: Oudh Kisan Sabha failed to bring under its wing any Kisan Sabhas. | The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed to consolidate and coordinate various local Kisan Sabhas in Oudh. It was successful in doing so. | False |
| Statement II: Oudh Kisan Sabha asked Kisans to refuse to till bedakhli land, not to offer hari and begar. | Refusing to till evicted land and resisting forced labour (hari, begar) were key demands and methods of protest advocated by the Oudh Kisan Sabha against landlord exploitation. | True |
Revision Table: Key Facts about Oudh Kisan Sabha
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | October 1920 |
| Key Leaders | Baba Ramchandra, Jawaharlal Nehru, Madari Pasi (later led Eka Movement) |
| Region | Oudh (Awadh), United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh) |
| Main Opponents | Taluqdars (landlords) |
| Key Grievances | High rents, illegal cesses (abwabs), arbitrary evictions (bedakhli), forced labour (hari, begar) |
| Objectives/Demands | Reduction of rents, abolition of illegal cesses, security of tenure, stopping forced labour, resistance to eviction. Also aimed to organise local Kisan Sabhas. |
| Methods of Protest | Meetings, demonstrations, filing complaints, later non-violent resistance influenced by Non-Cooperation Movement, including refusal to cultivate bedakhli land and refusing begar/hari. |
Additional Information: Peasant Movements in India
Peasant movements were a significant part of India's freedom struggle and social reform. They arose from various grievances, primarily related to land revenue, tenant rights, exploitation by landlords and moneylenders, and colonial policies. Here are some important points:
- Peasant movements can be broadly categorised based on their period and nature (e.g., pre-1857 revolts, post-1857 rebellions, early 20th-century movements, post-independence movements).
- Early movements often focused on specific local issues and were sometimes violent. Examples include the Indigo Rebellion (Bengal, 1859-60), the Pabna Uprising (Bengal, 1870s), and the Deccan Riots (Maharashtra, 1875).
- Movements in the early 20th century, like the Oudh Kisan Sabha movement and the Champaran Satyagraha, often became integrated with the broader national movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
- These movements helped raise awareness about peasant issues and contributed to agrarian reforms later on.
- Leaders like Baba Ramchandra, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Bardoli Satyagraha), and Swami Sahajanand Saraswati played crucial roles in mobilising peasants.
The Oudh Kisan Sabha movement is a prime example of how local peasant grievances were articulated and organised, contributing significantly to the anti-colonial struggle by mobilising a large section of the rural population.
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