- Politicisation of Bardoli Taluka (Surat, Gujarat) took place after the coming of Gandhi. The authorities here went for arbitrarily increasing land revenue by 30%, which provided a spark for movement to emerge in January 1926.
- Bardoli Inquiry Committee was set up by Congress to study the matter, which found the rate hike unjustified.
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the movement. Women of Bardoli played a very important role. They gave the title ‘Sardar’ to Patel.
- It was resolved that revised revenue payment would be withheld, till the Government does not agree to appoint an independent tribunal.
- Workers’ camps/Chhavanis were set to organise the movement. Bardoli Satyagraha Patrika mobilised support for the revolt. Those who opposed the movement were socially boycotted.
- By 1928, the movement succeeded in building pressure on the authorities. Gandhi reached Bardoli when railway strike was seen as the next step for the movement.
- Government agreed to demands and a committee was set up. The revenue hike was considered arbitrary and irrational, and it recommended a rise of 6.03%
Significance of Bardoli Movement
- Satyagraha revived the sagging morale of the freedom struggle which was in recovery mode after the setback of the withdrawal of Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura violence.
- In 1930, Congress would declare the demand for Complete Independence and Salt Satyagraha would be launched by Gandhi.
- Elevated Sardar Patel among the frontline leaders.
Criticism of Bardoli Movement
- Bardoli agitation was more a national issue for experimenting with Satyagraha as a method for freedom struggle. However, not much attention was paid to the basic problems of the peasants.
- Hali Pratha, a highly exploitative, was not raised at all by the movement. The movement pleaded for the cause of the rich and middle-class peasants. Poor peasantry had very little land in their possession and was altogether neglected (though many had participated due to the involvement of Gandhi).
