Peasant Movement

Introduction

Peasants were the main force in many struggles, fighting for their rights and better living conditions. Before 1914, their movements were mostly small and focused on specific local problems. After 1914, peasant struggles became more organized and widespread.

Reasons for Peasant Movements

1. Harsh Treatment of Peasants – Peasants suffered from high rents, forced labor, illegal taxes, and unfair evictions. The British government also imposed heavy land taxes.
2. Decline of Indian Industries – British policies ruined traditional handicrafts, forcing more people to depend on farming, which led to poverty and debt.
3. Unfair Government Policies – The British government protected landlords and moneylenders while exploiting peasants.
4. Formation of Peasant Organizations – From 1920 to 1940, groups like the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (1929) and the All India Kisan Sabha (1936) were formed. These organizations fought for peasant rights, including the abolition of the zamindari system (landlord rule).

Major Peasant Movements in the 19th Century (Before Gandhi’s Involvement)

1. Indigo Rebellion (1859-1862)

• European planters forced peasants in Bengal to grow indigo instead of food crops.
• Peasants opposed this because they received low prices, and indigo farming made the soil infertile.
• Supported by newspapers and writers like Harish Chandra Mukherjee and Dinabandhu Mitra, whose play Nil Darpan exposed the exploitation.
• The British set up an Indigo Commission in 1860, banning forced cultivation of indigo.

2. Pabna Movement (1870s-1880s)

• Landlords in Eastern Bengal unfairly collected high rents and stopped peasants from gaining land rights.
• Peasants formed the Agrarian League (1873) and organized rent strikes.
• The British passed the Bengal Tenancy Act (1885), improving land rights.

3. Deccan Riots (1875)

• Peasants in Maharashtra suffered from high land taxes and debt to moneylenders.
• They started a social boycott against moneylenders, refusing to buy from their shops or work for them.
• This escalated into riots, but the British responded by passing the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act (1879) to ease peasant debts.

Peasant Movements in the 20th Century (Gandhian Phase)

1. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

• Indigo planters in Bihar forced peasants to grow indigo and sell it at low prices.
• Mahatma Gandhi led an investigation and refused to leave Champaran despite British orders.
• The British passed the Champaran Agrarian Act (1918), removing unfair taxes.

2. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

• Peasants in Gujarat faced famine but were still forced to pay full land taxes.
• Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led a protest, and the British eventually reduced the taxes.

3. Moplah Rebellion (1921)

• Muslim tenant farmers in Malabar protested against Hindu landlords and British policies.
• It started as a fight for land rights but turned into a religious conflict, weakening its impact.

4. Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

• The British increased land taxes by 30% in Bardoli, Gujarat.
• Peasants, led by Vallabhbhai Patel, refused to pay taxes.
• The British reduced the tax increase after an investigation.
• This is where Patel got the title “Sardar” (leader) from the people.

Impact of Peasant Movements

1. Raised Awareness – Peasants became aware of their rights and started fighting for them in courts and protests.
2. Inspired Future Revolts – These early struggles led to bigger uprisings like the Revolt of 1857 and later freedom movements.
3. Unity Among Peasants – Peasants, including landless laborers, united against British rule and landlords.
4. Forced Government Action – Many demands were met, such as in the Indigo Rebellion and Bardoli Satyagraha.
5. Encouraged Nationalism – Non-violent protests made peasants a key part of India’s freedom struggle.
6. Led to Post-Independence Reforms – After independence, many of these movements helped in abolishing the zamindari system and improving land rights.