Agrarian movements in pre-independent India played a significant role in shaping the socio-economic and political landscape of the country. These movements were characterized by peasant uprisings, protests, and demands for land reforms, fairer taxation, and better living conditions for rural communities. Agrarian grievances were deeply rooted in the exploitative land revenue system, unequal land distribution, and oppressive practices by landlords and colonial authorities. Below, I will discuss some of the notable agrarian movements that occurred in pre-independent India.
Deccan Riots (1875-1879): The Deccan Riots, also known as the Deccan Uprising, occurred in the Bombay Deccan region (present-day Maharashtra) during the late 19th century. Peasants, primarily from the Maratha and Koli communities, revolted against the oppressive land revenue policies imposed by the British colonial administration. The riots were sparked by the increase in land revenue assessments and the introduction of the Ryotwari system, which replaced the traditional revenue-sharing arrangements with direct taxation on individual peasants. The Deccan Riots highlighted the discontent among rural communities and the demand for agrarian reforms.
Bengal Tenancy Act Movement (1905-1908): The Bengal Tenancy Act Movement was a significant agrarian movement in Bengal, aimed at securing the rights of tenant farmers against exploitation by landlords. The Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885 had failed to protect the rights of sharecroppers and tenants, leading to widespread protests and demands for amendments to the legislation. The movement was led by social reformers, intellectuals, and political leaders such as Surendranath Banerjee and Chittaranjan Das, who advocated for fairer tenancy laws and land reforms to improve the conditions of rural tenants.
Champaran Satyagraha (1917): The Champaran Satyagraha was a seminal agrarian movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran district of Bihar. The movement was launched in response to the exploitation of indigo farmers by British indigo planters who forced them to cultivate indigo against their will and subjected them to oppressive practices. Gandhi’s intervention in Champaran marked the beginning of his involvement in India’s struggle for independence and his use of nonviolent resistance as a tool for social and political change. The Champaran Satyagraha highlighted the plight of rural farmers and contributed to the broader nationalist movement against British colonial rule.
Kheda Satyagraha (1918): The Kheda Satyagraha was another agrarian movement led by Gandhi in Kheda district of Gujarat. The movement was launched to protest against the British colonial administration’s decision to impose an oppressive tax despite poor crop yields due to drought and famine. Peasants in Kheda refused to pay the tax and instead launched a nonviolent resistance campaign under Gandhi’s leadership. The Kheda Satyagraha demonstrated the power of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience in addressing agrarian grievances and mobilizing rural communities against colonial oppression.
Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-1951): The Telangana Armed Struggle was a violent agrarian movement that took place in the Telangana region of Hyderabad State (present-day Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh) against the oppressive feudal system and exploitation by landlords. Peasants, led by communist leaders such as Ravi Narayan Reddy and Raavi Narayana Reddy, organized armed resistance against landlords and the Nizam’s government. The movement sought to overthrow the feudal order, redistribute land to landless peasants, and establish a more equitable socio-economic system. The Telangana Armed Struggle was one of the most significant peasant uprisings in pre-independent India and contributed to the broader agrarian movement for land reforms and social justice.
These agrarian movements in pre-independent India reflected the deep-rooted grievances of rural communities against exploitation, oppression, and injustice perpetrated by colonial authorities and feudal landlords. They played a crucial role in mobilizing rural masses, raising awareness about agrarian issues, and contributing to the broader struggle for independence and social reform in India.
