How India's Peasant Movements Shaped Its Agrarian Landscape

Summary

Sources

vajiramandravi.com

In the heart of Indias agricultural landscape, a series of revolts and movements have painted the canvas of resistance against oppressive agrarian systems. The Indigo Revolt between eighteen fifty-nine and sixty in Bengal marked a significant chapter in this narrative. Under the leadership of the Biswas brothers, Rafique Mondal, and Kader Molla, peasants rose against the compulsory cultivation of indigo, targeting indigo factories with traditional weapons. This revolt was a reaction to the European planters forceful imposition of indigo cultivation on the peasants, an issue highlighted by Bengali intellectuals to the Indian public. The British governments response came with the appointment of the Indigo Commission in eighteen sixty-nine, aimed at mitigating the abuses associated with indigo cultivation. The play Neel Darpan by Dinabandhu Mitra further encapsulated the planters’ oppression, echoing the peasants grievances. The Deccan Riots of eighteen seventy-five unfolded in the regions of Poona, Satara, and Ahmednagar, rooted in the disparities created by the ryotwari system. This system favored the Vanis over the Kunbis, leading to an increase in land transfers from peasants to moneylenders. In a bold move, the Kunbis targeted moneylenders to retrieve and destroy the title deeds and mortgage bonds, symbols of their subjugation. The British suppression of this revolt led to the enactment of the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act in eighteen seventy-nine, offering a protective measure against the exploitation by moneylenders. The Pabna Movement from eighteen seventy-three to eighty-five in Bengal, spearheaded by leaders like Ishan Chandra Roy, showcased a no-rent unions formation against zamindari oppression. The movement was characterized by armed resistance and the formation of the Agrarian League, which aimed to lessen litigation expenses through collective funds. The British government intervened with armed force, and following suppression, initiated an enquiry that led to legislative actions to address the peasants complaints. Transitioning to the twentieth century, the Champaran Movement of nineteen seventeen-eighteen in Bihar, led by Mahatma Gandhi, spotlighted the Teen Kathia systems exploitations. Gandhis peaceful satyagraha and civil disobedience led to negotiations with the British, resulting in the abolition of the oppressive indigo cultivation system. Similarly, the Kheda Satyagraha in nineteen eighteen under Gandhis leadership emerged from a poor harvest and escalated prices, demanding revenue remission. Despite initial resistance, the colonial government eased its revenue collection efforts, demonstrating the impact of peaceful protest. The Eka Movement in nineteen twenty-one, led by Madari Pasi and Baba Ramachandra in Uttar Pradesh, was fueled by economic hardships like the Spanish flu, droughts, and food shortages. Initially aligning with Gandhian principles, the movement became more militant against the zamindar and Taluqdar oppressions, eventually distancing itself from Congress and Khilafat leadership. In Kerala, the Mappila Revolt of nineteen twenty-one against Nambudiri Brahmin landlords and British land laws illustrated a significant anti-government and anti-landlord sentiment, which also took on communal overtones. The revolt saw severe repercussions, including the Wagon Tragedy and the establishment of the Malabar Special Police. The Bardoli Satyagraha in nineteen twenty-eight, under Vallabhbhai Patels leadership, was a response to a tax hike amidst famine and flood conditions. The use of various mobilization methods and negotiations led to a government settlement, showcasing the power of collective bargaining. The formation of the All India Kisan Sabha in nineteen thirty-six at the Indian National Congress session in Lucknow marked a pivotal moment in uniting peasants across regions. Founded by Swami Sahajananda Saraswati, the Sabha aimed at abolishing zamindari and securing occupancy rights for tenants, influencing post-election agrarian reforms in Congress-ruled provinces. The Tebhaga Movement in nineteen forty-six-forty-seven, led by Communist cadres, demanded a fairer distribution of harvests for sharecroppers in Bengal. Although its success varied across regions, approximately forty percent of sharecropping peasants gained more favorable terms, highlighting the movements impact on agrarian policy and the continued struggle against feudal structures. Through these movements, the fabric of Indias agrarian resistance was woven, marking significant milestones in the fight against exploitation and for equitable agricultural policies.