Peasant revolts at the initial stage (before Gandhian phase) emerged as social movements against unjust economic policies of British rule that brought hardships for already deprived sections and later were given political dimensions to create a unified struggle against the exploitative colonial state.
Causes of Peasant Movements
- Colonial system had a deep impact on the rural masses, destroying the older order due to various innovations. Ex. Permanent settlement.
- There was increased pressure on rural agrarian structure due to the destruction of artisanal industry.
- Land revenue systems created increased pressure on the peasants. New social classes were emerging- Taluqdars ,jotedars, pattidars and ijadars.
- To pay rent on time peasants gradually found themselves in a debt trap and reduced to the status of tenants at will.
- The administrative and judicial system devised by the colonial state had no empathetic attitude towards the peasants’ cause.
- Illegal levies, high rents, and arbitrary evictions increased the process of pauperisation.
- Innovation in land revenue system created ‘absentee landlordism’ further reducing investment in agricultural improvements.
- The severe famines of 1876-78, 1896-97 and 1899-1900 exposed the colonial policies as the government was less concerned about the starving population and more about protecting the established institutions from the protests.
- Lack of investment in agriculture: Cultivator had neither means nor incentive to invest in agriculture. The Government spent little on agricultural, technical or mass education and production stagnated and low level of productivity became a common feature.
- Commercialisation of agriculture: Certain crops began to be grown not for consumption in village but for sale in national and international markets.
Significance Of Peasant Movements
- Peasant causes provided a base for other movements– such as 1857 revolt, as soldiers were peasants in uniform.
- Peasant movements provided education about the rights of peasants and ways to legally challenge oppressors. This created anti-colonial consciousness among the masses.
- The national movement and the peasant movement fed each other. The peasants provided a mass base for the freedom struggle and at the same time the ideas of nationalism and Gandhian philosophy of Satyagraha reached the villages thereby resulting in more organised and peaceful peasant revolts.
- Although peasant movements did not register immediate success, they created a climate which necessitated post-independence reforms, resulting in abolition of zamindari and security of tenure for tenants, a popular demand made by the Kisan Sabha.
- Peasant movements eroded the power of the landed class, transforming power structures in rural areas. Ex. Telangana movement led by peasants challenged the autocratic-feudal regime of Hyderabad.
Limitations of Peasant movements
- Peasant revolt in earlier phases was mainly ‘restorative rebellion’, often started by disaffected local rulers, who wanted to restore the Mughal compromise.
- Violent in nature, often including incidences of social banditry, made it easier for British to suppress under the pretext of lawlessness.
- Religion played an important role to define the ideologies and often it resulted in targeting of upper castes and other religious communities. Ex. Titu Mir’s movement in Bengal.
- Mobilisation was on community lines, restricting geographical outreach.
- The peasant rebellions in tribal regions strived to protect the imagined golden past and hereditary influence of tribal chiefs. Ex. Santhal revolt.
- Nationalists termed these movements as apolitical or pre-political and when they tried to bring it under the freedom struggle banner, the real issues and concerns of poor peasantry faded.
Comparison Between 19th & 20th Century Peasant Movements
19th-century peasant movements were mainly organised by the peasantry themselves focusing mainly on local issues. The major change that occurred in the 20th century was the gradual integration into the National movement.
| 19th Century Peasant movements | 20th Century Peasant movements |
| • These revolts were localised and disjointed & focused on particular grievances. They had short-term impacts. •The main aim was to solve the economic issues than target the root cause of their exploitation. • The peasantry showed their discontentment towards the immediate oppressors- the zamindars, moneylenders and foreign planters. • Lack of political understanding of colonialism. They did not target the colonial state. • Sporadic and lacked formal organization. • Though militant, having no ideology on alternative society or economy. | • Starting with Champaran & Kheda, peasant movements now became more organised giving it all India Character. • Congress & Communists leaders provided leadership to the peasantry. Important leaders were Gandhi (Mappila) and Sardar Patel (Bardoli). • With organisational support provided by the educated middle-class, peasant movements during this phase were largely peaceful. • Targeted the real enemy, the colonial state.One important feature was the use of legal means to challenge the oppressors. • There was emergence of independent organisations for the rural peasantry. Ex: All India Kisan Sabha 1936. • Mobilisation campaigns increased peasant participation in the national movement. |
