Peasant Movements

Peasant Movements with Religious Overtones

• Peasant movements with religious overtones played a significant role in the agrarian protests and uprisings in India before the outbreak of the Revolt of 1857. Here are some examples:

Narkelberia Uprising

• The Narkelberia Uprising was led by Mir Nithar Ali, also known as Titu Mir, in West Bengal. Muslim tenants rose against Hindu landlords and British indigo planters who imposed a beard tax on the Faraizi Muslims. The revolt initially focused on economic grievances but later merged into the Wahabi movement, which had religious undertones.

The Pagal Panthis

• The Pagal Panthi movement was led by Karam Shah and later his son Tipu among the Hajong and Garo tribes in Mymensingh district (formerly in Bengal). The tribal peasants organized themselves against the oppression of the zamindars (landlords). From 1825 to 1835, they refused to pay excessive rent and attacked the houses of the Zamindars. The movement was violently suppressed by the government.

Faraizi Revolt: 

• The Faraizi Revolt was associated with the Faraizi sect, founded by Haji Shariat-Allah in Faridpur, Eastern Bengal. The Faraizis called for religious, social, and political changes and supported the cause of tenants against the Zamindars. Led by Shariat-Allah's son, Dadu Mian, the Faraizi followers aimed to expel the British intruders from Bengal. The Faraizi disturbances lasted from 1838 to 1857, and many Faraizis later joined the Wahabi ranks.

Moplah Uprisings

• The Moplah uprisings occurred among the Moplahs, a Muslim community in Malabar, due to an increase in revenue demands, reduction of field size, and oppression by officials. Between 1836 and 1854, there were twenty-two rebellions, but none were successful in achieving their objectives. A second Moplah uprising took place in the 1920s during the Non-cooperation Movement, but Hindu-Muslim differences and other factors led to a distancing between the Moplahs and the Congress.
• These peasant movements with religious overtones reflected the grievances of the rural population, including economic exploitation, social discrimination, and political oppression. While some of these movements had limited success, they laid the groundwork for future agrarian and nationalist movements in India.

Peasants’ Role in the 1857 Revolt

• Peasants played a significant role in the 1857 revolt, also known as the Indian Rebellion or the First War of Independence. However, their participation varied across different regions affected by the rebellion. In some areas, particularly in western Uttar Pradesh, peasants actively joined the revolt against British rule.
• Peasants often aligned themselves with local feudal leaders and zamindars (landlords) in their opposition to foreign rule. They saw the revolt as an opportunity to challenge the oppressive policies of the British East India Company, which had adversely affected their livelihoods. Peasants and zamindars fought together against the British forces, aiming to overthrow their rule and regain control over their land and resources.
• After the suppression of the revolt, the British government took measures to consolidate its power and appease the landed classes. This often came at the expense of the peasants' interests. In regions like Avadh (Oudh), the British restored land to the taluqdars (landed elites) and granted them significant powers, while disregarding the concerns of the peasants. The provisions of the 1859 Bengal Rent Act, which aimed to protect tenant rights, were not extended to the peasants in Avadh, further exacerbating their plight.
• Additionally, as a form of punishment for their participation in the revolt, some regions imposed additional cess (tax) on the peasants, further burdening them economically.
• Overall, while peasants played an active role in the 1857 revolt, their aspirations for improved social and economic conditions were largely unfulfilled in the aftermath of the rebellion. The British government favoured the landed elites, neglecting the interests and rights of the peasant population.