Peasant Movements in India- Causes and Significance of Peasant Movements

During the British rule in India, Indian peasants tried to stop their exploitation and fought back against it. Their struggle against exploitation took various forms and is studied under the topic peasant movements. These movements are listed below.

Problems and Difficulties faced by Peasants in British India

• In Zamindari areas:
  • High rents
  • Illegal levies
  • Arbitrary evictions
  • Unpaid labour
• Heavy land revenue was levied by the government itself in Ryotwari areas.
• Increasing indebtedness of peasants

Causes of Peasant Movements in British India:

• Economic policies of colonial government:
  • British government’s economic policies exploited the peasants and benefited moneylenders and landlords.
  • Under the Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari, and Zamindari, the peasants were exploited.
  • The peasants were left at the mercy of the zamindars, who tortured them.
  • They forced them to pay the unlawful debts, because the British government sought greater profits.
• Ruin of traditional handicraft industries causing overcrowding of land:  
  • Traditional handicraft industries were destroyed by British economic policies, which led to a change in ownership.
  • As a result, agricultural land became overburdened, and peasants became severely indebted and impoverished.
• New revenue system for land:
  • The zamindars increased their demands for rent from the tenants.
  • The revenue requirement in permanently occupied areas was kept at a very high level.
  • There was a provision for periodic review in the Ryotwari areas.
  • This meant that rent would rise every few years.

List of Peasant Movements: Year, Region, Leaders, and Other Details

There were differences between 19th and 20th century Peasant movements in terms of leadership, extent of movement, and objective. Colonialism was not one of the targets of the peasant movements in 19th century, however, there was a rise of anti-colonialism feelings among the peasant movements in 20th century. In 19th century, there was no formal organisation, unlike 20th century where formal organizations of kisans emerged in rural India like All India Kisan Sabha was formed in 1936.

Significance of the Peasant Movements

• The revolts created awareness among the Indians especially peasants regarding their legal rights.
• The peasant movements inspired other revolts like Revolt of 1857.
• The Peasant movements led to unity among the peasantry including the landless labourers. 
• Peasants were directly fighting for their rights and their demands were heard as evident from the Indigo revolt, Bardoli satyagraha, Pabna revolt, etc. 
• The Peasant Movements led to post-independence agrarian reforms like Abolition of Zamindari, land ceiling, etc. 

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