Agrarian Movements in Pre-Independent India
Agrarian movements in pre-independent India were a crucial aspect of the broader struggle against colonial rule and economic exploitation. These movements were primarily driven by the peasants who faced severe oppression due to exploitative land revenue systems, high rents, and various forms of economic and social exploitation by landlords (zamindars), moneylenders, and the British colonial administration. Below is a brief overview of some significant agrarian movements during this period:
1. Indigo Rebellion (1859-1860)
The Indigo Rebellion, also known as the Indigo Revolt, took place in Bengal. It was a response to the oppressive system of indigo plantation imposed by British planters who forced farmers to grow indigo under harsh conditions and low prices. The movement was marked by the refusal of peasants to grow indigo and widespread protests. The rebellion received significant support from the local intelligentsia and journalists, leading to a decline in indigo cultivation.
2. Pabna Agrarian Unrest (1873-1876)
The Pabna Agrarian Unrest occurred in the Pabna district of Bengal. It was triggered by the oppressive practices of zamindars who increased rents and evicted tenants unjustly. The peasants organized themselves into agrarian leagues (krishak sabhas) to resist these practices and sought legal redress. This movement was notable for its use of non-violent methods and legal action to assert tenant rights, eventually leading to the passage of the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885, which provided some protections to tenants.
3. Deccan Riots (1875)
The Deccan Riots took place in the Deccan region of Maharashtra. They were a reaction against the exploitation by moneylenders who charged exorbitant interest rates and seized lands from indebted peasants. The movement saw violent confrontations, including the burning of moneylenders’ records and properties. The British government responded by passing the Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief Act in 1879, aimed at providing some relief to the indebted farmers.
4. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
The Champaran Satyagraha was led by Mahatma Gandhi in the Champaran district of Bihar. It was a response to the exploitation of indigo farmers by British planters who forced them to grow indigo on a portion of their land and sell it at fixed prices. Gandhi employed non-violent civil disobedience and mass mobilization to challenge the injustices faced by the peasants. The movement resulted in the abolition of the Tinkathia system (compulsory indigo cultivation) and marked the beginning of Gandhi’s leadership in Indian agrarian struggles.
5. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
The Kheda Satyagraha took place in the Kheda district of Gujarat, also led by Mahatma Gandhi. It was in response to the oppressive tax policies of the British during a time of famine. The peasants, with Gandhi’s support, refused to pay taxes, demanding tax relief due to crop failure. The non-violent resistance led to the suspension of tax collection and provided significant relief to the farmers.
6. Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)
The Bardoli Satyagraha was another significant agrarian movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat. It was against the British government’s increase in land revenue assessment. The farmers organized a non-violent protest, refused to pay the increased taxes, and faced severe repression. The successful outcome of the movement led to the reversal of the tax hike and made Patel a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, earning him the title ”Sardar.”
Conclusion
These agrarian movements in pre-independent India were critical in highlighting the plight of the rural population under colonial rule. They were characterized by both violent and non-violent resistance and involved significant participation from the peasantry. The movements not only aimed at immediate relief from economic exploitation but also contributed to the broader struggle for India’s independence by mobilizing the rural masses and bringing agrarian issues to the forefront of the national movement.