Peasant Movement in India, Evolution, List, UPSC Notes!

Peasant movements in India were a series of rural uprisings where farmers, tenants, and tribal communities protested against oppressive land revenue systems, zamindari exploitation, and colonial policies. Beginning in the 18th century with revolts like the Sanyasi Rebellion and continuing through the Indigo Revolt, Deccan Riots, and movements during the freedom struggle, these uprisings reflected the struggle for economic justice, land rights, and social reforms. They can be broadly divided into pre-1857, post-1857, and Gandhian era movements, each shaped by unique regional, social, and economic contexts. 

For UPSC, understanding the peasant revolts along with their causes, leaders, and impact is crucial for topics in the Modern History section.

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What is the Peasant Movement in India?

The Peasant Movement in India refers to the various uprisings, protests, and organized struggles of farmers, agricultural laborers, and rural tenants against oppressive agrarian systems, exploitative landlords, high land taxes, forced cultivation, and indebtedness. Initially, they were localized and sporadic, led by village leaders or religious figures. Over time, they became organized and politically aware, often aligning with India’s freedom struggle through the Indian National Congress, Communists, and Kisan Sabhas.

Which was the First Peasant Movement in India?

The first notable peasant movement in India is widely considered to be the Sanyasi Rebellion (1763–1800) in Bengal and Bihar.

Know more about the Agrarian Class Structure in India!

Evolution of Peasant Movements in India

The history of the Peasant Movement in India is as rich and diverse as the country itself. It is a story of struggle, perseverance, and resistance that has shaped the country's socio-political fabric. Let's embark on a journey to understand the evolution of these movements over time.

The Early Struggles (18th and 19th Century)

The roots of the peasant movements in India can be traced back to the British colonial period. During the late 18th and the 19th century, oppressive agricultural policies, heavy taxation, and exploitation by landlords led to sporadic instances of peasant unrest. These took the form of small-scale revolts, such as the Indigo Revolt (1859-60) in Bengal and the Kol Rebellion (1831-32) in Chotanagpur. Although localized, these revolts highlighted the simmering discontent among the peasant community.

The Organized Movements (Late 19th Century to Early 20th Century)

As the Indian National Movement gathered momentum, the peasant struggles also began to show signs of organized resistance. The influence of national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and the spread of nationalist ideas ignited the spirit of collective action. This period witnessed landmark movements like the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), and the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928), which amalgamated peasant issues with the broader fight for independence.

The Radical Phase (Mid 20th Century Onwards)

The mid-20th century marked a radical shift in the nature of the peasant movements. Influenced by socialist and communist ideologies, the movements became more militant and widespread. The Tebhaga Movement (1946-47), the Telangana Rebellion (1946-51), and the Naxalbari Uprising (1967) epitomize this phase. They were characterized by demands for land redistribution, rights of sharecroppers, and abolition of feudal practices.

The Contemporary Movements (Late 20th Century to Present)

In the post-independence period, the peasant movements have largely been centered around agrarian distress, unfulfilled promises of land reforms, and exploitation by middlemen. These movements, such as the farmer protests in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, have often forced the government to rethink and reformulate their agricultural and economic policies.

The evolution of the Peasant Movement in India is a testament to the peasants' resilience in the face of adversity. These movements, transcending time and space, have not only shaped India's history but also continue to influence its present and future.

Know more about the Economic History of Medieval India!

Several factors led to the rise of the Peasant Movement in India. These include:

• Economic Exploitation: Under British rule, peasants faced severe economic hardships due to high land revenue, compulsory cultivation of certain crops, rent increases, and exploitation by landlords and moneylenders.
• Socio-Political Factors: The struggle for independence, the spread of nationalist feelings, and the influence of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi galvanized peasants into action.
• Land and Agrarian Policies: Unjust land tenure systems, inadequate land reform policies post-independence, and agrarian distress fueled peasant movements.
• Forced Cultivation of Commercial Crops: The colonial policy compelled peasants to cultivate cash crops like indigo and cotton at the expense of food crops, causing food insecurity and economic exploitation.
• Agricultural Crises and Famines: Periodic crop failures, droughts, and famines increased peasants' vulnerability while tax demands remained rigid, accelerating agrarian distress.
• Lack of Legal Rights and Protection: Peasants had limited legal recourse against exploitative practices of landlords and moneylenders, leading to frustration and unrest.
• Influence of Radical Ideologies: The spread of socialist and communist ideologies played a crucial role in mobilizing peasants against economic disparities and social injustice.

Know more about the Peasant Movement in Maharashtra!

List of Peasant Movement in India

Peasant movements were scattered over time and region, each bearing unique characteristics and demanding specific attention. Here are some key events that define the landscape of the Peasant Movement in India.

Phase 1: Early Peasant Revolts (1763 – 1857)

Sanyasi Rebellion (1763–1800)

• In Bengal and Bihar, led by wandering ascetics (Sanyasis and Fakirs) against colonial taxation after the Battle of Buxar (1764) and the Bengal Famine (1770).
• Combined religious restrictions with economic hardship, raiding Company treasuries and zamindar estates.
• Suppressed repeatedly by the British but persisted for decades.

Narkelberia Uprising (1782–1831)

• Led by Titu Mir in Bengal against oppressive zamindars and British indigo planters.
• Blended Islamic reform with peasant resistance; protested illegal taxes and social discrimination.
• Ended with the British assault on his bamboo fort in 1831, killing Titu Mir.

Pagal Panthis Revolt (1825–1835)

• In Rangpur, Bengal, led by Karim Shah and Tipu Shah, uniting tribal peasants under a religious-social movement.
• Opposed excessive rents, set up a parallel administration protecting peasants.
• Crushed by British forces but left a legacy of tribal-peasant unity.

Know more about the Peasant Movements in 19th Century - Rangpur Dhing!

Phase 2: Early Colonial Period (1857 to Early 20th Century)

Mostly localised revolts driven by agrarian exploitation under British rule.

Indigo Rebellion (1859–1862)

• Took place mainly in Bengal when European planters forced peasants to grow indigo under oppressive contracts.
• Farmers were compelled to accept advance payments and cultivate indigo instead of food crops, often at a financial loss.
• The revolt saw support from Indian intelligentsia, missionaries, and the press, which condemned the exploitation.
• The Indigo Commission (1860) upheld peasants’ grievances, leading to the decline of forced indigo cultivation.

Pabna Peasant Uprising (1873-1876)

• The Pabna revolt originated in Pabna district (East Bengal) due to illegal rent hikes and arbitrary cesses imposed by zamindars.
• Peasants formed agrarian leagues and organized peaceful resistance—avoiding rent payment and resisting eviction.
• Their persistence led to the Bengal Tenancy Act (1885), granting legal protection to tenants against arbitrary rent increases.

Deccan Riots (1875)

• Occurred in Pune and Ahmednagar districts of Maharashtra against oppressive moneylenders who exploited drought-hit farmers.
• Farmers attacked moneylenders, burned debt documents, and boycotted them socially.
• This unrest led to the Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act (1879), regulating moneylending practices and providing legal safeguards to peasants.

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Phase 3: Gandhian Era (1917–1930s)

Peasant struggles became part of the Indian National Movement, emphasizing non-violent mass mobilisation.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

• Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India, launched in Champaran district, Bihar.
• Peasants were forced to grow indigo on 3/20th of their land (Tinkathia system) and sell it at low prices to British planters.
• Gandhi investigated grievances, mobilized public opinion, and pressured the government to abolish the system.
• Resulted in the Champaran Agrarian Act (1918), ending forced indigo cultivation.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

• Led by Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat.
• Famine and plague devastated the region, yet the government refused to suspend revenue collection.
• Peasants collectively refused to pay taxes until remission was granted.
• The government eventually suspended tax collection for the affected areas.

Moplah Rebellion (1921)

• Took place in Malabar (Kerala) among Muslim tenants (Moplahs) against Hindu landlords and British authorities.
• Influenced by the Khilafat Movement and socio-economic exploitation.
• Initially agrarian but later took on communal overtones, leading to severe suppression by the British.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

• Farmers in Bardoli taluka, Gujarat, protested against a 22% revenue hike during economic hardship.
• Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the movement adopted disciplined non-payment of taxes.
• The government rolled back the revenue hike, and Patel earned the title “Sardar”.

Formation of All India Kisan Sabha (1936)

• Established at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress.
• Leaders like Swami Sahajanand Saraswati pushed for abolition of zamindari, rent reduction, debt relief, and land to the tiller.
• Became a major platform for mobilizing peasants nationwide under socialist and communist influence.

Phase 4: Late Colonial & Early Post-Independence (1940s–1950s)

More radical and armed struggles, often inspired by leftist ideologies.

Tebhaga Movement (1946–47)

• Led by the Bengal Kisan Sabha and supported by the Communist Party of India.
• Sharecroppers demanded their share of produce be increased from one-half to two-thirds (tebhaga = two-thirds).
• Triggered violent clashes with landlords and police suppression.
• Though suppressed, it paved the way for tenancy reforms in West Bengal post-independence.

Telangana Rebellion (1946–51)

• Armed peasant uprising in Hyderabad state against feudal landlords (Deshmukhs) and the Nizam’s rule.
• Led by the Communist Party, involving land redistribution, abolition of bonded labour, and social reforms.
• Continued even after independence until the Indian Army’s Operation Polo (1948) integrated Hyderabad into India.
• Influenced land reform policies in later years.

Know more about the Tribal & Peasant Movements in India!

The peasants revolt in India had profound implications, both immediate and long-term.

• Awareness and Empowerment: The movements made peasants aware of their rights, thereby challenging the existing power structures and promoting socio-economic empowerment.
• Land Reforms: The peasant movements led to important land reforms, such as the abolition of the Zamindari system, tenancy reforms, and ceiling on landholdings.
• Formation of Peasant Organizations: Various peasant organizations and parties, like the Kisan Sabha and the Communist Party of India, emerged as powerful platforms for peasant mobilization.
• Influence on National Movement: Peasant movements significantly influenced the course of the Indian National Movement. The Congress party started integrating peasant demands into their agenda.
• Change in Government Policies: Persistent peasant agitations forced the government to revise and implement better agrarian and economic policies.

UPSC Previous Year Questions on Peasant Movements in India General Studies Paper I (Mains) 2020 The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elaborate. (10 marks) 2017 Why did the ‘Tebhaga’ movement of Bengal fail to achieve its goals? (15 marks) History Optional (Mains) 2023 What were the main features of the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s? How was the Indian National Congress related to them? (20 marks) 2021 Analyse the nature of peasant movements during the nationalist phase and bring out their shortcomings. (15 marks) 2019 The peasant movements in the 1930s and 1940s were not just a series of protests against specific grievances, but also reflected a growing political consciousness among the peasantry. Comment. (20 marks) 2016 Analyse the character of the peasant movements in the first half of the 20th century. (20 marks) 2014 The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 was a spontaneous peasant resistance, but it was also a struggle for their legal rights. Explain. (10 marks)

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