Peasant Movement and Kisan Sabha is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 12 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Awadh Peasant Movement and Eka Movement

  • Awadh Peasant Movement (Pre-Eka Phase):
  • Background: High rents, illegal cesses (abwabs), arbitrary evictions (bedakhli), and forced labour (begar/hari) under the talukdari system.
  • Early Leaders: Baba Ramchandra (sanyasi from Maharashtra), Gauri Shankar Misra, and Jawaharlal Nehru (briefly involved).
  • Organization: Awadh Kisan Sabha (Oudh Kisan Sabha) formed in October 1920.
  • Gandhiji visited Assam for the first time in connection with the National Freedom Movement in 1921.
  • In 1921, during a tour of South India, Gandhiji shaved his head and began wearing a loincloth to identify with the poor.
  • Gandhi's concept of 'Swaraj':
    • Intimately linked with Ahimsa (nonviolence) and Satyagraha (adherence to truth).
    • Has two senses: one political and one beyond the realm of politics.
    • Requires time and patience to acquire; not obtainable easily or quickly.
  • Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan is popularly known as 'Frontier Gandhi' and established the "Khudai Khidmatgar" organization.
  • The Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was led by Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Mahatma Gandhi bestowed the title 'Sardar' on Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • No women participated in the Dandi March from Sabarmati Ashram to the sea coast initially.
  • Gandhi started 'Harijan Yatra' on 7 November 1933.
  • Gandhi entered the freedom struggle in India in 1915. He was first referred to as "Father of the Nation" by Subhas Chandra Bose. He started the Civil Disobedience Movement with the Dandi March. He was NOT greatly influenced by the writings of Karl Marx.
  • Winston Churchill called Mahatma Gandhi's ways "Political Blackmail."
  • Oudh Kisan Sabha's Actions: Consolidated numerous local kisan sabhas. It asked kisans to refuse to till bedakhli land, not to offer hari and begar, and demanded abolition of illegal cesses and fixed rents.
  • Spread: Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, Fyzabad.
  • Eka Movement (Unity Movement):
  • Period: 1921-1922.
  • Origin: Initiated by Congress and Khilafat leaders in Awadh in 1921.
  • Shift in Leadership: Moved away from Congress/Khilafat leadership due to increasing radicalism and the withdrawal of the NonCooperation Movement.
  • Main Leaders: Madari Pasi (a low-caste leader) and Swami Dhanraj Puri.
  • Nature: A peasant movement.
  • Main Objectives/Demands:
    • Non-payment of enhanced rents (payment only at recorded rates).
    • Refusal to pay illegal cesses (abwabs).
    • Refusal to perform 'hari' or forced labour.
    • No eviction from land without proper notice.
    • Boycott of those who did not accept these conditions.
  • Affected Areas: Hardoi, Bahraich, Sitapur, Barabanki, Unnao.
  • Method: Participants took a pledge (Eka unity) to adhere to the demands.
  • Decline: Suppressed by government authorities by mid-1922.

Bardoli Satyagraha: Leadership, methods, and impact

  • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Occurred in Bardoli Taluka, Surat district, Gujarat.
  • Cause: Government's arbitrary increase of land revenue by 22% (some sources indicate up to 30%) despite prevailing economic distress among farmers.
  • Leadership:
    • Initially launched by local leaders like Kalyanjî Mehta and Kunverji Mehta on February 4, 1928.
    • Vallabhbhai Patel was invited by local leaders and Mahatma Gandhi, taking over as the principal leader and chief organizer.
    • Conducted under the overall guidance of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Methods: Non-violent 'No-Tax Campaign' and civil disobedience. Farmers collectively refused to pay the enhanced revenue, socially boycotted government officials, and refused to purchase confiscated lands.
  • Mass Base: Involved various communities, notably the Kaliparaj (backward classes/ forest people) and Kunbi peasantry.
  • Impact & Outcome:
    • The government eventually appointed the Maxwell-Broomfield Commission to inquire into the matter.
    • The Commission found the revenue hike unjustified, recommending a significant reduction (to 6.03% from the increased rate).
    • Confiscated lands were returned to their original owners.
    • Vallabhbhai Patel earned the title 'Sardar' (meaning 'chief' or 'leader') from the women of Bardoli for his exceptional organizational skills and leadership, a title famously conveyed by Mahatma Gandhi.
    • The Satyagraha demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent civil disobedience and strengthened the nationalist movement.
  • Chronological Context: Followed Kheda Satyagraha (1918); preceded Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931) and Second Round Table Conference (1931).
  • Relevant facts about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (as per MCQs):
    • He was India's first Deputy Prime Minister.
    • He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991.
    • Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were imprisoned together at Yerawada Jail in Poona for some periods, not Naini Prison.

Causes of Peasant Unrest: Land tenure systems, revenue policies, debt, and exploitation

  • Land Tenure Systems:
    • Permanent Settlement (Bengal Presidency): Created zamindars as landlords, leading to high rents, illegal cesses (`abwabs`), forced labor (`begar`), and insecurity of tenure for peasants.
    • Ryotwari/Mahalwari Systems: Directly imposed high revenue demands on peasants/villages, making them susceptible to debt and market fluctuations.
    • Khuntkatti tenure: A communal land ownership system prevalent among the Munda tribe in the Chota Nagpur region, disrupted by British introduction of individual land ownership and zamindari.
    • Damin-i-Koh: A demarcated territory created by the British in the Rajmahal Hills for the settlement of Santals (from 1832).
  • Revenue Policies & Exploitation:
    • Exorbitant Land Revenue: British revenue demands were often inflexible and very high, forcing peasants into debt even during crop failures.
    • Illegal Cesses (`Abwabs`) & Forced Labor (`Begar`): Zamindars and landlords imposed numerous extra-legal taxes and demanded unpaid labor.
      • `Motorana` & `hathiana`: Taxes levied by zamindars on peasants.
      • `Talwar-Bandhai`: A tax levied by Jagirdar Prithvi Singh of Bijoliya on farmers for succession.
      • `Coolie Begar` system: Forced unpaid labor, abolished in Kumaon in 1921.
    • Debt Trap: Peasants borrowed from moneylenders (mahajans) at high interest rates, leading to land alienation and perpetual indebtedness.
  • Key Peasant Movements & Related Facts:
    • Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): Led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, against exploitation by zamindars, moneylenders, and British officials in the Damin-i-Koh area.
    • Deccan Riots (1875): Riots by Maratha peasants against Marwari/Gujarati moneylenders due to usury and land alienation. Led to Deccan Agriculturalists' Relief Act of 1879, which restricted the sale of land for indebtedness to outsiders.
    • Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900): Led by Birsa Munda, aimed at restoring the Khuntkatti system and establishing Munda Raj.
    • Champaran Satyagraha (1917): First Satyagraha by Gandhiji in India, against the Tinkathia system (forced indigo cultivation).
    • Kheda Peasants Movement (1918): Led by Gandhiji and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a no-revenue campaign during crop failure.
    • Bijoliya Movement (Rajasthan, c. 1897-1941): Longest non-violent peasant movement against high land revenue (`lag-bag`), `chawri` tax, and `Talwar-Bandhai`.
      • Leaders: Sadhu Sitaram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, Manikya Lal Verma, Narayanji Patel.
    • Moplah Peasants Movement (1921): Peasant uprising in Malabar against Hindu landlords (jenmis) and British rule.
    • Sihava-Nagari Satyagraha (1922): A "Jangal Movement" (forest movement) organized in Chhattisgarh for forest rights.
    • Kumaon Region & Forest Grievances:
      • 'Coolie Begar' system abolished in Kumaon in 1921.
      • 'Forest Grievance Committee' was set up in 1921 with Campbell as Chairman.
    • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): A no-tax campaign (Sarabandi campaign) against arbitrary enhancement of land revenue, led by Vallabhbhai Patel.
    • Chipko Movement: Started from Chamoli district (present-day Uttarakhand) in the 1970s, a forest conservation movement.
  • Chronological Order of Movements (for MCQ 5):
    • Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
    • Kheda Peasants Movement (1918)
    • Moplah Peasants Movement (1921)
    • Bardoli Peasants Movement (1928)

Early Peasant Uprisings (19th Century): Indigo Revolt, Pabna Agrarian Unrest, Deccan Riots

  • Indigo Revolt (1859-60):
    • Location: Bengal.
    • Causes: European planters forced peasants to cultivate indigo instead of food crops at unprofitably low prices, often through fraudulent contracts, loans, and coercion.
    • Term: Known as 'Blue Mutiny'.
    • Leaders: Digambar Biswas and Bish Charan Biswas.
    • Support: Bengal intelligentsia (e.g., Harishchandra Mukherjee, editor of 'Hindu Patriot'), missionaries, and sympathetic district magistrates.
    • Literary Work: 'Neel Darpan' by Dinabandhu Mitra depicted the planters' atrocities.
    • Outcome: Government appointed Indigo Commission (1860); planters found guilty; peasants freed from contracts.
  • Pabna Agrarian Unrest (1873-76):
    • Location: Yusufshahi Pargana, Pabna district, East Bengal.
    • Causes: Oppressive practices of Zamindars, including illegal rent increases, prevention of occupancy rights, and forced illegal cesses.
    • Nature: Peasants formed an Agrarian League, refused enhanced rents, organized rent strikes, and pursued legal recourse against Zamindars.
    • Outcome: Contributed to the enactment of the Bengal Tenancy Act (1885).
  • Deccan Riots (1875):
    • Location: Poona (Pune) and Ahmednagar districts, Bombay Deccan (e.g., village Supa in Poona).
    • Immediate Cause: High interest rates charged by moneylenders (Mahajans, often Marwari/Gujarati).
    • Underlying Causes:
      • High land revenue demands under the Ryotwari system.
      • Cotton boom during American Civil War (1861-65) led to increased peasant indebtedness for cultivation expansion; subsequent price crash after the war.
      • Exacerbated by previous famines and high land revenue increases (e.g., 50% in 1867).
    • Nature: Led by relatively better-off Kunbi peasants (not poor tribals or landless). Peasants attacked moneylenders' shops, burnt account books (bahi khatas), looted grain, and set fire to houses.
    • Spread: Affected around 30 villages in Poona and Ahmednagar, contained by prompt British suppression.
    • Deccan Riots Commission (1875): Appointed to investigate causes. Recorded statements from ryots, sahukars, and eyewitnesses, focusing on affected districts. Primarily concerned with peasant indebtedness and problems with the Ryotwari system.
    • Outcome: Led to the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act of 1879, providing protection to peasants against moneylenders' demands.
  • Phulaguri Dhawa (1861):
    • Location: Phulaguri, Nowgong district, Assam.
    • Nature: First major peasant uprising against British in Assam.
    • Cause: Protest against new taxes on betel nut, leaves, and particularly the prohibition of poppy cultivation, directly linked to British opium policy.
  • Other Relevant Peasant Movements (19th Century):
    • Kuka Revolt: Punjab.
    • Kuki Revolt: Tripura.
    • Birsa Munda Revolt (Ulgulan): Bihar.

Emergence of Regional Kisan Sabhas (early 20th Century): Structure and objectives

  • Emergence of Regional Kisan Sabhas (early 20th Century):
  • Triveni Sangh (Post-WWI): Formed by Jats, Gujjars, and Ahirs.
  • United Provinces Kisan Sabha (UPKS, 1918): Formed by Indra Narayan Dwivedi, Gauri Shankar Mishra, and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
  • Kisan Sabha and Ekta (Unity) Movement: Associated with Uttar Pradesh.
  • Pabna Agrarian Movement: Took place in Bengal.
  • Moplah Rebellion: Kerala.
  • Bardoli Satyagraha: Gujarat.
  • Karshak Sangham (1934): Peasant organization established in Kerala.
  • Krishak Praja Party: Founded by Fazlul Haq.
  • Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU): Established in 1985.
  • Punjab Agrarian Movement: Lala Lajpat Rai was deported to Mandalay in 1907 for organizing it.
  • Bijolia Peasant Movement (Rajasthan):
    • Initial Leader: Sadhu Sitaram Das.
    • Key Leaders: Vijay Singh Pathik, Manikya Lal Verma.
    • Associated Leaders/Activists: Mathuralal Bhatt, Banshidhar Purohit, Ganpatilal Sudhar. Govind Giri and Premchand Bhil were not associated.
    • Vijay Singh Pathik's associated organizations: Bijolia Kisan Association (in Bairisal), Rajasthan Seva Sangh, Vidhya Pracharini Sabha.
    • Thikanedar during movement: Rao Krishna Singh.
    • Thikanedar's attitude to 1922 agreement: Refused to honour.
    • Farmers' resignations from non-irrigated land: Started in 1927.
    • Publicity: Vijay Singh Pathik popularized it through newspapers. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi (editor of 'Pratap') and the 'Pratap' newspaper were crucial for national publicity.
    • British Committee (to check movement): Narayan Patel was not part of the high-level committee formed.
  • Begun Peasant Movement (Rajasthan): Rupaji and Kripaji Dhakad were martyred.
  • Dudhwakhara Peasant Movement (Rajasthan): Hanuman Singh contributed significantly.
  • Bharatpur Peasant Movement (Rajasthan): Bhoji Lambardar was related to it.
  • Shekhawati Farmers (Rajasthan): Inspired by Deshraj (from Bharatpur).
  • Meo Peasant Movement (Rajasthan): Main leader was Yasin Khan.
  • Bhil Movements (Rajasthan):
    • Motilal Tejawatt: Kamdar of Jharol thikana. Presented the 21-point demand letter of the Bhils titled 'Mewar Pukar' to the Maharana of Mewar.
    • Govind Guru: Center of activities in 1911-12 was Bedasa.
    • Banswara State Prajamandal Movement: Deepa was not a participating Bhil leader.
  • Bharatpur Student Movement (1920-21): Led by Gopilal Yadav and Jugal Kishore Chaturvedi.
  • Zamindar Kisan Sabha: Founded by Thakur Deshraj.
  • British Parliament Intervention: A.T. Holme, a British labour leader, helped raise issues related to Rajasthan farmers in the British Parliament.

Formation of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS): Objectives, leadership, and ideology

  • Formation: All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), initially known as Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Congress.
  • Foundation Year & Venue: Founded in 1936 at Lucknow.
  • Founding President: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Founding General Secretary: N.G. Ranga.
  • Other Key Organizers/Leaders: Indulal Yagnik, E.M.S. Namboodripad, Acharya Narendra Dev, Jaiprakash Narayan, P.C. Joshi, Bankim Mukherjee.
  • Objectives: Abolition of zamindari, reduction of land revenue/rent, debt moratorium, security of tenure for tenants, minimum wages for agricultural labour, abolition of begar (forced labour), and relief from rural indebtedness.
  • Ideology: Anti-imperialist and anti-feudal, aiming to secure economic and political rights for peasants and agricultural workers, often influenced by socialist ideas.
  • Swami Sahajanand Saraswati's Journal: He published the journal Hunkar.
  • 1944 AIKS Session: Held at Vijayawada, presided over by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Indulal Yagnik: Played a key role in the formation of AIKS (serving as a Joint Secretary), participated in the Kheda Satyagraha, and later founded the Nutan Maha Gujarat Janata Parishad. (He did not publish Young India).
  • Baba Ram Chandra: A prominent sanyasi peasant leader, active in the Awadh (Oudh) region (especially 1920s), known for reciting Tulsidas's Ramayana verses; earlier an indentured labourer in Fiji. Associated with the Awadh Kisan Sabha.

Impact and Significance of Peasant Movements on land reforms and national consciousness

  • Raniparaj Conference at Khata was organized by Raisinghbbhai Chaudhari; considered the first congress of tribals.
  • Bhoodan Movement was started by Vinoba Bhave on April 18, 1951, at Pochampally (now in Telangana, then Andhra Pradesh).
  • The Bhoodan Movement aimed at voluntary land redistribution and began in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Sarvodaya Movement, meaning "welfare for all," was championed by figures like Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Jaya Prakash Narayan, and Dhirendra Mazumdar.
  • Jaya Prakash Narayan was also significantly associated with the Bhoodan Movement.

Mappila Rebellion (Malabar Rebellion) and its agrarian dimensions

  • Mappila Rebellion (Malabar Rebellion / Moplah Rebellion): Major peasant uprising.
  • Year: 1921.
  • Location: Malabar region of Kerala.
  • Participants: Mappilas (Moplahs), who were Muslim peasant tenants.
  • Primary Cause: Peasant discontent due to agrarian grievances.
  • Targets of Revolt:
    • Oppressive Hindu landlords (Jenmis).
    • British government, which supported the landlords and their exploitative practices (high rents, lack of tenancy security, renewal fees, evictions).
  • Historical Context: Earlier Moplah revolts against similar exploitation occurred throughout the 19th century.
  • Connection to National Movements:
    • Initially linked with the Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement.
    • Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Shaukat Ali, and Abul Kalam Azad visited Malabar.
    • Later developed communal overtones, separating it from the national movement.
  • Chronology (1921): Occurred after Champaran Satyagraha (1917) and Khilafat Movement (started 1919), but before Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) and Salt Satyagraha (1930).
  • Outcome: Brutally suppressed by the British.

Peasant Movements in Bihar (Bakashat Movement) and other provinces

  • Munger Kisan Sabha (1922-23): Organized by Shri Krishna Singh, Mohammed Jubair.
  • Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS): Formed in 1929 by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.
  • Swami Sahajanand Saraswati: Prominent leader of the Peasant Movement in Bihar (and All India Kisan Sabha).
  • Bakashat Movement (Bihar): Focused on restoring land to tenants from whom it was forcibly taken by zamindars. Led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati and local leaders like Karyanand Sharma.
  • Daundi-Lohara Zamindari Peasant Movement (1937): Peasants observed Satyagraha under the leadership of Narsingh Prasad Agrawal.
  • Eka Movement (Awadh/UP, 1921-22): Led by Madari Pasi.
  • Mappila Rebellion (Malabar, 1921): A prominent leader was Kunhammed Haji.
  • Avadh Kisan Sabha Movement (Awadh, 1920s): Led by Baba Ramchandra.
  • Bardoli Satyagraha (Gujarat, 1928): Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Bhartiya Kisan Vidyalaya: Founded by N.G. Ranga.
  • Bengal Praja Party: Associated with Fazlul Haq.
  • Kudan Incident (Rajasthan): Part of the Sikar peasant movement (Shekhawati peasant movement).
  • Meo Peasant Movement: Led by Yasin Khan.
  • Chipko Movement: Started from Reni village (Uttarakhand).

Role of Socialists and Communists in Peasant Movements

  • Swami Vidyananda (1922): Referred to Lenin as 'the Dear Leader of the Kisans'.

Tebhaga Movement (Bengal): Demands, strategies, and outcome

  • Tebhaga Movement took place in Bengal (undivided, later West Bengal) during 1946-47.
  • It was a sharecroppers' movement (bargadars/ adhiars) against the landlords (jotedars).
  • Key Demand: To reduce the landlord's share of the harvested crop from one-half to onethird (Tebhaga means "three shares," implying two-thirds for the cultivator).
  • The movement was initiated by the Bengal Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS), a front of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
  • Strategy: Bargadars would take the harvested crop to their own threshing floors, instead of the jotedar's, and only pay one-third of the produce to the landlord.
  • It led to widespread unrest in various districts, including Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Mymensingh, and 24 Parganas.

25. Trade Union and Communist Party

  • Outcome: The movement was suppressed by the British colonial administration. Post-independence, the Bengal Bargadars Act of 1950 (or Bargadars Temporary Regulation Bill, 1950) legally recognized the sharecropper's right to two-thirds of the produce.

Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle: Genesis and initial phase (pre-1947)

  • Genesis of Struggle (Pre-1947): Hyderabad State under Nizam, characterized by extreme feudal exploitation by Jagirdars and Deshmukhs (Doras).
  • Key Grievances: High land revenue, illegal exactions, forced labour (Vetti), and bonded labour (Baghela) leading to widespread peasant distress.
  • Early Organizations: Andhra Mahasabha (initially reformist, later radicalized) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) played crucial roles in mobilizing peasants against feudal oppression.
  • Triggering Event (Initial Phase - July 1946): The murder of Doddi Komaraiah in Kadavendi village, Nalgonda district, on July 4, 1946, by a local Deshmukh's goons, ignited the armed struggle.
  • Area of Struggle: Primarily concentrated in Nalgonda, Warangal, Khammam, and Karimnagar districts.
  • Objectives (Pre-1947): Abolition of landlordism (Jagirdari, Deshmukhi), Vetti system, and redistribution of land.
  • Connection to MCQ (Post-1947 Context): The struggle highlighted severe landlessness and exploitation. Following the armed struggle, land issues remained prominent.
  • Pochampally (April 1951): Located in Nalgonda district, Pochampally became famous as the village where Vinoba Bhave launched the Bhoodan Movement (land-gift movement) in April 1951, to address the issue of landlessness by appealing for voluntary land donations.

Practice MCQs: Peasant Movement and Kisan Sabha

Awadh Peasant Movement and Eka Movement

  1. Who took over the 'Eka Movement' started by the Congress in Awadh during 1921-1922?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2018 · Exam 2023

    1. Bhagwan Ahir
    2. Madari Pasi
    3. Baba Ramchandra
    4. Shah Naeem Ata
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Madari Pasi

    The Eka (Unity) Movement was a peasant movement that emerged in certain districts of Awadh, Uttar Pradesh. It initially had Congress and Khilafat support, but after Congress withdrew due to increasing violence, the movement was taken over by B. Linlithgow C. Lord Mountbatten D. Mohammad Ali Jinnah Ans: A Executive Officer and Tax & Revenue Inspector This question probes the critical views expressed by prominent British figures about Mahatma Gandhi's leadership and strategies during India's freedom struggle.

  2. The Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928 was led by whom?

    Asked in: Field Investigator 2020

    1. Lal Bahadur Shastri
    2. Mahatma Gandhi
    3. Vallabhbhai Patel
    4. Jawaharlal Nehru
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Vallabhbhai Patel

    The Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 was led by Vallabhbhai Patel, which played a crucial role in his political career. Madari Pasi, who provided a leadership independent of the Congress.

  3. Statement I : The Oudh Kisan Sabha established in 1920 failed to bring under its wing any Kisan Sabhas. Statement II : The Oudh Kisan Sabha asked the Kisans to refuse to till bedakhli land, not to offer hari and begar.

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2019

    1. Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
    2. Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.
    3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
    4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

    The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed to unify peasant movements and actively campaigned against landlord exploitation.

  4. What was the 'Eka Movement'?

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2021

    1. A Religious movement
    2. A Peasant movement
    3. A Secret revolutionary movement
    4. None of the above
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A Peasant movement

    The Eka Movement was a peasant uprising in Awadh against landlord oppression and exploitative rent practices.

  5. Which of the following was the main objective of the 'Eka movement' in Awadh?

    Asked in: Civil Judge 2022

    1. Non-payment of taxes
    2. Protection of the rights of landlords
    3. Conversion of taxes into cash
    4. Opposition of the British Rule
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Conversion of taxes into cash

    The Eka movement was a significant peasant uprising in Awadh in 1921-22, primarily driven by economic grievances. While resistance to high rents and other dues was present, the demand for cash payments for taxes and rents was a crucial element.

Bardoli Satyagraha: Leadership, methods, and impact

  1. Consider the following statements about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel : (i) He got the moniker 'Sardar' due to his organizational skills during Bardoli Satyagraha. (ii) The prison where Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar were cell-mates was Naini Prison. (iii) He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1989. (iv) He was the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. Select the incorrect statements using the codes given below.

    Asked in: APSC CCE Prelims Exam 2023

    1. (i) and (ii) only
    2. (ii) and (iii) only
    3. (iii) and (iv) only
    4. (i) and (iv) only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. (ii) and (iii) only

    - Statement (i) is correct. The title 'Sardar', meaning chief or leader, was given to Vallabhbhai Patel by the women of Bardoli during the Bardoli Satyagraha in 1928 for his leadership in the peasants' movement against increased taxes. - Statement (ii) is incorrect. Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel were famously cell-mates at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune during the Civil Disobedience Movement in the early 1930s (specifically 1932-33). Naini Prison is in Allahabad. - Statement (iii) is incorrect. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in

  2. - Statement (iv) is correct. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of independent India from 1947 to 1950, concurrently holding the portfolio of Home Affairs. 6. Who successfully led the Bardoli Satyagraha?

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 67th Re Exam

    1. Motilal Nehru
    2. J. B. Kripalani
    3. Jawaharlal Nehru
    4. Vallabhbhai Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Vallabhbhai Patel

    The Bardoli Satyagraha was a peasant movement that took place in 1928 in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat. It was a protest against the arbitrary increase in land revenue rates by the British government. The movement was led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. His effective leadership and organization skills led to the success of the satyagraha, resulting in the government reducing the tax increase. It was during this movement that the women of Bardoli gave Vallabhbhai Patel the title 'Sardar' (leader).

  3. At which place Sardar Vallabhbai Patel, under Gandhi's guidance led the farmers against the collection of taxes?

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2023

    1. Champaran
    2. Ahmedabad
    3. Kheda
    4. Borsad
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Kheda

    The Kheda Satyagraha took place in 1918 in the Kheda district of Gujarat. Farmers were demanding remission of land revenue because of crop failure due to drought. Gandhi initiated the movement, but it was Sardar Patel, along with other local leaders, who organized the villagers and led the no-tax campaign effectively after Gandhi's initial groundwork.

  4. Which event earned for Vallabhbhai Patel the title of 'Sardar' ?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2016

    1. The Khera Satyagraha
    2. The integration of Indian States with India
    3. The Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association
    4. The Bardoli Satyagraha
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Bardoli Satyagraha

    - The Bardoli Satyagraha was a major peasant movement that took place in 1928 in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat. - The movement was against an arbitrary increase in land revenue by the British government. - Vallabhbhai Patel effectively led the movement, organising the peasants and ensuring their unity and non-violent resistance.

  5. From which event did Vallabhbhai Patel get the title 'Sardar'?

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2016

    1. Kheda Satyagraha
    2. Integration of Indian princely states with India
    3. Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association
    4. Bardoli Satyagraha
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Bardoli Satyagraha

    - The Bardoli Satyagraha took place in 1928 in Gujarat. - The peasants protested against a revenue hike and were led by Vallabhbhai Patel using non- violent methods.

  6. Who launched the Bardoli Satyagraha on 4th February, 1928 ?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 1 2017

    1. Mahatma Gandhi
    2. Vallabhbhai Patel
    3. Rajendra Prasad
    4. Kalyanjî Mehta
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Vallabhbhai Patel

    The Bardoli Satyagraha was a major peasant movement against an arbitrary increase in land revenue by the Bombay Presidency government. Vallabhbhai Patel successfully organized and led the peasants in their non-violent resistance, earning the title 'Sardar' from the women of Bardoli for his leadership.

  7. Consider the following historical events : Gandhi-Irwin Pact 1. Second Round Table Conference 2. Peasant Movement in Bardoli 3. Peasant Movement in Kheda 4. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order (starting from the earliest) of the above events?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 2 2022

    1. 4-1-3-2
    2. 4-3-1-2
    3. 3-1-2-4
    4. 1-2-4-3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 4-3-1-2

    The timeline of the events is as follows: 1. Peasant Movement in Kheda: 1918 2. Peasant Movement in Bardoli: 1928 3. Gandhi-Irwin Pact: March 5, 1931

  8. Second Round Table Conference: September - December 1931 Arranging them from earliest to latest gives: Kheda (4), Bardoli (3), Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1), Second Round Table Conference (2). 12. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Movement) A. Bardoli Satyagraha B. Tebhaga C. Satyasodhak Samaj D. Ulgulan List-II (Mass base/Following) 1. Bargadars 2. Kaliparaj 3. Mundas 4. Kunbi peasantry Code:

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2015

    1. A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3
    2. A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3
    3. A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2
    4. A-3 B-1 C-4 D-2
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3

    A. Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): This was a peasant movement against a sharp increase in land revenue demand by the British. While led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the movement involved various peasant communities in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat. The term 'Kaliparaj' (meaning dark-skinned) was used for the tribal peasants of the region, who were heavily mobilised and participated actively in the Satyagraha. B. Tebhaga: This movement (1946-47) was a sharecroppers' movement in Bengal demanding that the share of the produce given to landlords (jotedars) be reduced from one-half to one-third (tebhaga). The main participants were the bargadars (sharecroppers). C. Satyasodhak Samaj: Founded by Jyotirao Phule in 1873 in Maharashtra, this social reform society aimed at the upliftment of lower castes and women. Its base included peasants and agricultural labourers, particularly from communities like Kunbis (a prominent peasant caste in Maharashtra). D. Ulgulan: The 'Great Tumult' was the rebellion led by Birsa Munda in the Chota Nagpur region (present-day Jharkhand) against British colonial rule, land alienation, and missionary activities in the late 19th century (specifically 1899-1900). The mass base of this movement was the Munda tribal community.

  9. Who led the Bardoli Movement?

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2020

    1. Vallabhbhai Patel
    2. Mahatma Gandhi
    3. Chamanlal
    4. Raja Gopalachari
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Vallabhbhai Patel

    The movement took place in 1928 in the Bardoli taluka of Surat district, Gujarat. It was against the unjust increase in the land revenue assessment by the Bombay Presidency government.

Causes of Peasant Unrest: Land tenure systems, revenue policies, debt, and exploitation

  1. The Deccan Agriculturalists' Relief Act of 1879 was enacted with which one of the following objectives?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 1 2019

    1. Restore lands to the dispossessed peasants
    2. Ensure financial assistance to peasants during social and religious occasions
    3. Restrict the sale of land for indebtedness to outsiders
    4. Give legal aid to insolvent peasants
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Restrict the sale of land for indebtedness to outsiders

    The Deccan Agriculturalists' Relief Act of 1879 aimed to protect peasants from moneylenders by restricting land sales for debt.

  2. The Damin-i-Koh was created by the British Government to settle which one of the following communities?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 1 2019

    1. Santals
    2. Mundas
    3. Oraons
    4. Saoras
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Santals

    Damin-i-Koh was a demarcated area in the Santhal Parganas (part of present-day Jharkhand) created by the British in 1832. The aim was to settle the Santals, encourage them to practice settled agriculture, and collect land revenue.

  3. The khuntkatti tenure was prevalent in which one of the following regions of India during the British Colonial Rule?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2019

    1. Bundelkhand
    2. Karnataka
    3. Chota Nagpur
    4. Madras Presidency
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Chota Nagpur

    Khuntkatti tenure was a communal land ownership system specific to the Munda tribe in the Chota Nagpur area.

  4. On 21st January 1922 which satyagraha was organised in Sihava-Nagari ?

    Asked in: CGPSC Prelims Exam 2015

    1. Individual Movement
    2. Salt Movement
    3. Farmer Movement
    4. Jangal Movement
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Jangal Movement

    The Sihava-Nagari Satyagraha, also known as the Jungle Satyagraha, was a protest against the oppressive forest laws imposed by the British government. These laws restricted the traditional rights of tribal communities and villagers to access and use forest resources. It began around January 21, 1922, in the Sihava-Nagari area of Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh.

  5. Put these agrarian movements in chronological order with the date of their start: 1. Bardoli Peasants Movement 2. Khera Peasants Movement 3. Champaran Satyagrah 4. Mopla Peasants Movement

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2020

    1. 2, 3, 1, 4
    2. 3, 2, 4, 1
    3. 3, 4, 1, 2
    4. 1, 3, 2, 4
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 3, 2, 4, 1

    Knowing the approximate years of these key peasant movements during the Indian freedom struggle is important.

  6. The 'Motorana' and the 'hathiana' referred to :

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2009

    1. markets where peasants brought their produce
    2. taxes levied by zamindars on their peasants
    3. rent paid by peasants for the use of the motorcar or the elephant of the zamindar
    4. the nickname for those zamindars who pos‐ sessed a motorcar or an elephant
    Show answer

    Answer: B. taxes levied by zamindars on their peasants

    - Zamindars in colonial India often extracted various cesses (abwabs) from their tenants beyond the legally stipulated rent. - These cesses could be arbitrary and were a source of peasant exploitation. - 'Motorana' and 'hathiana' are examples of such illegal or customary taxes levied by zamindars.

  7. Bijauliya Movement was related to—

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2009

    1. Kerala
    2. Assam
    3. Rajasthan
    4. Orissa
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Rajasthan

    The Bijauliya Movement was one of the earliest and longest-running peasant movements in India. It occurred in the Bijauliya jagir of the Mewar princely state in Rajasthan, starting in the late 19th century (around 1897) and continuing until the 1920s. The movement protested against excessive taxes (lags and bags) and forced labour (begar) imposed by the jagirdar.

  8. The Sarabandi (no tax) campaign of 1922 was led by

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 1996

    1. Bhagat Singh
    2. Chittaranjan Das
    3. Rajaguru
    4. Vallabhbhai Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Vallabhbhai Patel

    Following heavy increases in land revenue demand by the British government, peasants in Bardoli, led by Vallabhbhai Patel, decided to launch a 'no tax' campaign in 1922. Gandhi had approved the campaign. However, the movement was called off by Gandhi following the Chauri Chaura incident in February 1922, which involved violence. Although the campaign was cancelled, Patel's leadership in organizing the peasantry in Bardoli was established, which later culminated in the successful Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928.

  9. Who was the leader of Santhal Rebellion?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2023

    1. Sindhu Murmu
    2. Jyotiba Phule
    3. Birsa Munda
    4. Visnucharan Biswas
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Sindhu Murmu

    The Santhal Rebellion (also known as Santhal Hul), which took place in 1855-56 in the Santhal Parganas region, was primarily led by four Murmu brothers: Sidhu (Sindhu), Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav. They organized the Santhal people against exploitation by landlords (zamindars), moneylenders (mahajans), and corrupt officials.

Early Peasant Uprisings (19th Century): Indigo Revolt, Pabna Agrarian Unrest, Deccan Riots

  1. The Indigo Rebellion was about

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 64th

    1. the peasant not wanting to grow indigo but being forced to
    2. the peasant wanting to grow indigo but being forced not to
    3. the peasant not wanting to grow indigo but being forced to grow at a price that was unaccept‐ able
    4. a protest movement that carried an indigo- coloured flag
    Show answer

    Answer: C. the peasant not wanting to grow indigo but being forced to grow at a price that was unaccept‐ able

    The core issue was not just forced cultivation, but also the highly unfavourable terms and prices offered by the planters, which pushed peasants into perpetual debt and misery.

  2. The immediate cause of the Deccan Riots of 1875 was

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 64th

    1. the shadow of a famine
    2. high interest rates charged by Mahajans
    3. high land revenue rates
    4. protest against imposition of religious reforms
    Show answer

    Answer: B. high interest rates charged by Mahajans

    The riots were primarily directed against the moneylenders, who were seen as the immediate oppressors, backed by the British legal and revenue system (Ryotwari settlement) which demanded cash payments.

  3. Consider the following statements : 1. In the 19th century, peasants in various parts of India rose in revolt against moneylenders and grain dealers. 2. In May 1875, at village Supa in Poona District in the Bombay Deccan, peasants attacked shopkeepers, burnt the bahi khatas (account books), looted grain shops and set fire to the houses of Sahukars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 1 2022

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Both 1 and 2

    Peasant revolts against moneylenders were a feature of 19th-century India, and the Deccan Riots of 1875, starting in Supa, Poona, are a specific example involving attacks on moneylenders and their records.

  4. Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots of 1875 is/are true? 1. The Deccan Riots resulted in protection for peasants through the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act of 1879. 2. The riots did not spread to the whole of Maharashtra because of prompt suppression by the British. 3. The British were unable to contain the riots and they spread throughout Maharashtra. 4. The cotton boom in the Deccan that had been caused by the artificial demand generated by the American Civil War caused the impoverishment of the peasants. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2016

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 3
    3. 2 and 4 only
    4. 1, 2 and 4
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1, 2 and 4

    The Deccan Riots of 1875 were peasant uprisings in the Deccan region of Maharashtra against moneylenders, primarily due to agrarian distress. The riots were triggered by factors including high land revenue demands, economic depression following the end of the American Civil War (which had caused an artificial cotton boom), and exploitative practices of moneylenders who often took advantage of peasants' indebtedness to seize their land. The riots prompted the British government to appoint a commission and subsequently pass the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act of 1879, which provided some legal protection to peasants against debt and land alienation. The riots were largely concentrated in specific districts and were suppressed by the British authorities, preventing them from spreading across the entire region.

  5. Which one of the following peasant struggles was an outcome of British opium policy?

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2017

    1. Phulaguri Dhawa (1861)
    2. Birsaite Ulgulan (1899-1900)
    3. Pabna Revolt (1873)
    4. Maratha Peasant Uprising (1875)
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Phulaguri Dhawa (1861)

    This uprising is known for its direct link to peasant resistance against the British government's intervention in the traditional practice of opium cultivation and its taxation policies.

  6. Who among the following were the leaders of Indigo Revolt ?

    Asked in: CGPSC Prelims Exam 2012

    1. Budhu Bhagat and Jhindari Manaki
    2. Deenbandhu Mitra and Madhusudan Dutt
    3. Birsa Munda and Gaya Munda
    4. Digambar Biswas and Bish Charan Biswas
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Digambar Biswas and Bish Charan Biswas

    The Indigo Revolt was a peasant uprising against the exploitative practices of European indigo planters who forced farmers to cultivate indigo under oppressive terms.

  7. The term 'Blue Mutiny' is used for ________.

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2019

    1. Sanyasi Revolt
    2. Santhal Revolt
    3. Kol Revolt
    4. Indigo Revolt
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Indigo Revolt

    The term 'Blue Mutiny' is widely used to refer to the Indigo Revolt (also known as 'Nil Bidroho'), which took place in Bengal in 1859. This revolt was a widespread peasant uprising against the oppressive practices of British indigo planters who forced peasants to cultivate indigo under unfair terms, often violently. The term 'blue' refers to the colour of indigo dye.

  8. Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is/are correct? 1. The Commission did not hold enquiries in the districts which were not affected. 2. The Commission did record the statements of ryots, sahukars and eye-witnesses. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 1 2021

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Both 1 and 2

    The Deccan Riots Commission was appointed by the Bombay government in 1875 to investigate the causes of the agrarian riots that had erupted in the Deccan districts. Its primary mandate and focus were on the districts specifically affected by the riots. Historical accounts and the structure of such investigative commissions suggest that their detailed enquiries, including recording testimonies, are concentrated in the areas where the events occurred (Statement 1 is correct). The Commission did indeed collect extensive evidence by interviewing peasants (ryots), moneylenders (sahukars), and eyewitnesses, along with examining official reports and records (Statement 2 is correct).

  9. The editor of the paper "Hindu Patriot", Sri Harishchandra Mukherjee was known to have helped the:

    Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2018

    1. Santhal Revolt
    2. Indigo Revolt
    3. Revolt of the Mundas
    4. None of the above.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Indigo Revolt

    Harishchandra Mukherjee used his newspaper "Hindu Patriot" to expose the oppressive practices of European indigo planters against the Indian peasants in Bengal during the Indigo Revolt of 1859-60. He published detailed reports, letters, and accounts from the affected areas, bringing the plight of the ryots to public attention and garnering support for their cause.

Emergence of Regional Kisan Sabhas (early 20th Century): Structure and objectives

  1. After the First World War, the Triveni Sangh was formed by

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2020

    1. the Jats and Gujjars
    2. the Rajputs and Yadavas
    3. the Jats and Yadavas
    4. the Ahirs and Kurmis
    Show answer

    Answer: D. the Ahirs and Kurmis

    The Triveni Sangh was founded in the 1930s in Bihar. It represented the interests of three intermediate peasant castes: Yadavas (also known as Ahirs), Kurmis, and Koeris. These communities sought to challenge the dominance of upper castes in the social and political structure.

  2. In 1934 A. D., which of the following region, witnessed the establishment of 'Karshak Sangham' as a peasant organisation ?

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2023

    1. Andhra Pradesh
    2. Tamil Nadu
    3. Kerala
    4. Bengal
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Kerala

    The 'Karshak Sangham' is a prominent peasant organization whose origins lie in the Malabar region of Kerala (then part of Madras Presidency) in the 1930s. Peasant organizations emerged across India in this period, but 'Karshak Sangham' is the specific name strongly associated with the tenant and peasant movements in Kerala, which gained momentum in the 1930s against landlordism and colonial policies. While peasant movements existed in Andhra Pradesh (e.g., Andhra Provincial Ryots Association), Tamil Nadu, and Bengal, 'Karshak Sangham' is the name primarily used for the movement in Kerala, with its establishment often traced to the mid-1930s, consistent with 1934.

  3. Which of the following peasant movements is not properly matched with the state in which it was launched ?

    Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2017

    1. Moplah Rebellion – Kerala
    2. Pabna Agrarian Movement – Maharashtra
    3. Kisan Sabha and Ekta (Unity) Movement – Uttar Pradesh
    4. Bardoli Satyagraha – Gujarat
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pabna Agrarian Movement – Maharashtra

    The question asks to identify the peasant movement incorrectly matched with its state. - Moplah Rebellion (1921) took place in the Malabar region, which is part of present-day Kerala. This match is correct. - Pabna Agrarian Movement (1873-76) was a peasant uprising in the Pabna district of Bengal against the oppressive practices of Zamindars. The match with Maharashtra is incorrect. - Kisan Sabha and Eka (Unity) Movement took place in various parts of Uttar Pradesh in the early 20th century, reflecting widespread peasant unrest against landlordism and high rents. This match is correct. - Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was a major non-violent movement led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Bardoli taluka of Gujarat against the arbitrary increase in land revenue. This match is correct. Therefore, the incorrectly matched pair is Pabna Agrarian Movement – Maharashtra.

  4. In 1918, the United Provinces Kisan Sabha was formed by which of the following leaders?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2023

    1. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
    2. Baba Ramchandra
    3. Swami Sahjanand Saraswati
    4. Indra Narayan Dwivedi
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Indra Narayan Dwivedi

    Indra Narayan Dwivedi was a key figure in initiating the formation of the UP Kisan Sabha in February 1918 in Allahabad. This organization aimed to address the grievances of the peasantry in the United Provinces.

  5. Who founded Krishak Praja Party?

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2018

    1. Fazlul Haq
    2. Zafar Ali Khan
    3. Allah Bux
    4. Karam Shah
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Fazlul Haq

    Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq was a prominent Bengali statesman and politician. He was instrumental in founding the Krishak Praja Party, a political party active in the Bengal Presidency of British India.

  6. The Bharatiya Klsan Union was established in

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2005

    1. 1975
    2. 1980
    3. 1985
    4. 1990
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 1980

    While 1978 is widely cited as the founding year, the options necessitate selecting from the given choices. 1980 is the most plausible among the options presented, likely referring to a period shortly after its initial formation or a significant organizational step.

  7. In which year was Lala Lajpat Rai deported to Mandalay for organising the agrarian movement in Punjab?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2021

    1. 1905
    2. 1907
    3. 1909
    4. 1911
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 1907

    - Lala Lajpat Rai was a leading figure in the Indian nationalist movement, part of the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio. - He was active in political agitation and agrarian movements in Punjab. - His deportation in 1907 was a significant event, occurring alongside the political ferment of the Swadeshi movement era and the Surat Split of the Congress later that year.

  8. Vijay Singh Pathik formed the farmers' organization in Bairisal which was known as _______ - Question not attempted

    Asked in: Assistant Eng. (Mechanical) Competitive Examination, 2023

    1. Upparmal Board of Farmers
    2. Kisan Panchayat Board
    3. Bijolia Kisan Association
    4. Mewar Thikana Peasants Association
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Bijolia Kisan Association

    Vijay Singh Pathik was a prominent leader of the peasant movement in Rajasthan, particularly associated with the Bijolia peasant movement. He was instrumental in organizing the farmers and leading their struggle against oppressive land revenue policies.

  9. Who among the following was not a part of the high level committee formed by the British Government to check the Bijolia Peasant Movement ? (1) Robert Holland (2) Narayan Patel (3) Prabhash Chandra (4) Biharilal (5) Question not attempted

    Asked in: Asst. Fisheries Development Officer 2024

    1. Robert Holland
    2. Narayan Patel
    3. Prabhash Chandra
    4. Biharilal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Narayan Patel

    The Bijolia Peasant Movement was a significant peasant uprising in Rajasthan. The British government formed a committee to investigate the grievances. Key figures like Robert Holland were part of this inquiry.

Formation of All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS): Objectives, leadership, and ideology

  1. Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Congress was founded in:

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 60 62rd

    1. 1936 AD
    2. 1939 AD
    3. 1942 AD
    4. 1945 AD
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 1936 AD

    It was founded at Lucknow with Swami Sahajanand Saraswati as its first President and N.G. Ranga as its General Secretary.

  2. Who was elected the first President of All India Kisan Sabha at Lucknow in 1936 ?

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 60 62rd

    1. N.G. Ranga
    2. E.M.S. Namboodripad
    3. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
    4. Acharya Narendra Dev
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati

    The AIKS was formed to address the grievances of peasants across India. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was a prominent peasant leader and nationalist who played a crucial role in mobilizing peasants against landlordism and British rule.

  3. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati published a journal named

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 63rd

    1. Jankranti
    2. Hunkar
    3. Krishak Samachar
    4. Vidrohi
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hunkar

    Hunkar was the mouthpiece of the peasant movement led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati and the All India Kisan Sabha. It was used to spread his ideas and mobilize peasants.

  4. "A Sanyasi who came to that district after a spell as an indentured labourer in Fiji, carrying a copy of Tulsidas Ramayana on his back from which he would recite verses to rural audience." The peasant leader referred to here is

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 68th

    1. Jhinguri Singh
    2. Yadunandan Sharma
    3. Baba Ram Chandra
    4. More than one of the above
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Baba Ram Chandra

    - Baba Ram Chandra was a leader of the peasant movement in Awadh. - He had a past as an indentured labourer in Fiji. - He effectively used religious texts like Ramayana to mobilize peasants.

  5. The elected President of the All India Kisan Sabha, which met in Vijayawada (1944), was

    Asked in: UPSC CDS 2 2018

    1. Sahajananda Saraswati
    2. Vinoba Bhave
    3. Achyut Rao Patwardhan
    4. Narendra Dev
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Sahajananda Saraswati

    The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was an important peasant movement organization in India. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was a prominent leader and founder of the AIKS.

  6. Which of the following statements about Indulal Yagnik are correct? He published an English language 1. magazine, Young India, from Bombay. He participated in the Kheda Satyagraha 2. led by Gandhi. He took active initiative in the formation 3. of the All India Kisan Sabha and participated in its first session. He founded the Nutan Maha Gujarat 4. Janata Parishad.

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2019

    1. 2, 3 and 4 only
    2. 3 and 4 only
    3. 1, 2, 3 and 4
    4. 1, 3 and 4 only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 2, 3 and 4 only

    Statement 2 is correct: Indulal Yagnik was a prominent figure in the Kheda Satyagraha (1918), working closely with Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. Statement 3 is correct: He played a significant role in the peasant movement and was actively involved in the formation of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936, participating in its first session. Statement 4 is correct: He was a leading figure in the Maha Gujarat movement advocating for a separate Gujarati-speaking state and founded the Nutan Maha Gujarat Janata Parishad. Statement 1 is incorrect: While Indulal Yagnik was involved in nationalist journalism and started publications like 'Navajivan' (which Gandhi later took over) and 'Young Indian', the famous English magazine 'Young India' from Bombay is primarily associated with Mahatma Gandhi, who edited it after taking it over in 1919.

  7. Who among the following was linked closely with Kisan Sabha Movement in 1930s?

    Asked in: JPSC CS Prelims 2014 · JPSC CS Prelims 2015

    1. Swami Vidyananda
    2. Swami Sahajananda
    3. Baba Ramananda
    4. Sardar Patel
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Swami Sahajananda

    He was a prominent peasant leader and the founder of the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929 and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936.

  8. Who was the first president of the All India Kisan Sabha?

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2022

    1. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
    2. N. G. Ranga
    3. Jawaharlal Nehru
    4. Jaya Prakash Narayan
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati

    The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed in 1936 at Lucknow during the Indian National Congress session. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was elected as its first president and N. G. Ranga as its general secretary.

  9. The founder president of All India Kisan Sabha was

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2015

    1. Acharya Narendra Dev
    2. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
    3. Bankim Mukherjee
    4. Jayprakash Narayan
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati

    The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was formed in 1936 at the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress. Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, a prominent peasant leader from Bihar, was elected as its first President, and N.G. Ranga was elected as the General Secretary.

Impact and Significance of Peasant Movements on land reforms and national consciousness

  1. By whom was the Raniparaj Conference, which could be properly called the first congress of tribals, organised at Khata?

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2021

    1. Raisinghbbhai Chaudhari
    2. Kotla Mehta
    3. Govinbhai Desai
    4. Amarsinh Gamit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Govinbhai Desai

    The Raniparaj Conference held at Khata in 1927 was a significant event in organizing tribal communities in South Gujarat, often considered an early form of tribal political awakening or a tribal equivalent of a 'congress'. This conference was organized by Gandhian workers active in the region, including Govindji Desai (likely referred to as Govinbhai Desai), along with figures like Kunvarjibhai Mehta and Jugatram Dave, who worked for tribal upliftment and integration into the national movement.

  2. From which of the following places did Vinoba Bhave start the Bhudan Movement on April 18, 1951?

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 1 2021

    1. Udaygiri
    2. Venkatgiri
    3. Pochampally
    4. Raipur
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pochampally

    The Bhoodan (Land Gift) Movement was initiated by Vinoba Bhave on April 18, 1951, in the village of Pochampally, which is now located in Telangana (at the time, it was part of Andhra Pradesh). He was visiting the area in response to the socio-political unrest and land issues related to the Telangana peasant rebellion. During his visit, a group of landless Harijans requested land, and a local landowner, V. Ramachandra Reddy, came forward to donate 100 acres of land, marking the formal beginning of the movement.

  3. Who among the following was not associated with the Sarvodaya movement ?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 1 2015

    1. Jaya Prakash Narayan
    2. Acharya Vinoba Bhave
    3. Dhirendra Mazumdar
    4. G V Apparao
    Show answer

    Answer: D. G V Apparao

    Jaya Prakash Narayan, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, and Dhirendra Mazumdar were prominent figures actively involved in the Sarvodaya movement and its related activities like the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements, inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. G V Apparao (Gurajada Apparao) was a renowned Telugu writer and social reformer from Andhra Pradesh, known for his literary works and efforts against social evils, but he is not primarily associated with the Sarvodaya movement led by Gandhians like Vinoba Bhave and JP Narayan.

  4. In which state was the Bhoodan Movement first started?

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2013

    1. In Andhra Prasesh
    2. ln Karnataka
    3. In Tamil Nadu
    4. In Uttar Pradesh
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In Andhra Prasesh

    The movement was initiated by Vinoba Bhave with the aim of persuading wealthy landowners to voluntarily donate land to landless people.

  5. Who is associated with the Bhoodan Movement in India?

    Asked in: Assistant Auditor(LDCE) 2021

    1. Jaya Prakash Narayan
    2. Vinoba Bhave
    3. Shiv Narayan Agnihotri
    4. Swami Shraddhanand
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Vinoba Bhave

    Vinoba Bhave is the most prominent figure associated with the Bhoodan Movement.

Mappila Rebellion (Malabar Rebellion) and its agrarian dimensions

  1. In 19th century Moplah peasants revolted against the tyranny of which of the following :

    Asked in: HPPSC HPAS Prelims 2010

    1. Muslim rulers
    2. British rulers
    3. Hindu Zamindars
    4. Nizam of Hyderabad
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Hindu Zamindars

    - The Moplah rebellions occurred in the Malabar region of Kerala. - The Moplah community were predominantly Muslim tenants, while the landlords (Jenmis) were mostly upper-caste Hindus. - The revolts were agrarian in nature, triggered by issues like unfair rents, renewal fees, tenant evictions, and oppressive practices by the landlords. - While the revolts sometimes took on communal overtones due to the religious difference between peasants and landlords, and later involved anti-British sentiment (especially the 1921 revolt), the initial and primary target of the peasant anger in the 19th century was the exploitation by the Hindu landlords.

  2. Mappila rebellion was related to

    Asked in: KPSC KAS Prelims 2014

    1. Tribal discontent
    2. Nationalist discontent
    3. Soldiers discontent
    4. Peasant discontent
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Peasant discontent

    The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 in the Malabar region was fundamentally an agrarian revolt. The Mappilas (Muslim tenants and landless labourers) were suffering under oppressive landlordism (predominantly exercised by Hindu jenmis) and the supportive policies of the British colonial government. High rents, lack of security of tenure, illegal cesses, and exploitation by landlords were the main drivers of the rebellion, which intensified with the backdrop of the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements.

  3. Consider the following movements : 1. Moplah Rebellion 2. Bardoli Satyagraha 3. Champaran Satyagraha 4. Salt Satyagraha Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the above in ascending order ?

    Asked in: UPSC NDA 2 2017

    1. 1-3-4-2
    2. 3-1-2-4
    3. 2-3-1-4
    4. 4-2-1-3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 3-1-2-4

    The chronological order of the movements is: 1. Champaran Satyagraha: 1917 2. Moplah Rebellion: 1921 3. Bardoli Satyagraha: 1928 4. Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March): 1930

  4. Which of the following events was the last in chronological order?

    Asked in: UPPCS Prelims 2023

    1. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
    2. Moplah Revolt
    3. Khilafat Movement
    4. Home Rule Movement
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Moplah Revolt

    Let's look at the approximate timings of these events: - Home Rule Movement: Active mainly from 1916 to 1918. - Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Occurred on April 13, 1919. - Khilafat Movement: Started in 1919 in response to the treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. It gained significant momentum in 1920 and continued for a few years. - Moplah Revolt (or Mappila Uprising): Took place in Malabar, Kerala, in 1921, primarily in August-September.

  5. The Moplah peasant struggles took place in

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2012

    1. Darjeeling
    2. Andamans
    3. Malabar
    4. Chota Nagpur
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Malabar

    The Moplah Rebellion of 1921 is a significant historical event located in the Malabar region of Kerala.

  6. The Moplah rebellion of 1921 broke out in

    Asked in: WBPSC CS Prelims 2016

    1. Assam
    2. Kerala
    3. Punjab
    4. Bengal
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Kerala

    The Moplah Rebellion, also known as the Malabar Rebellion or Mappila Uprising, was an armed revolt that took place in 1921 in the Malabar region of Kerala. It was primarily an agrarian revolt intertwined with religious and anti-colonial sentiments.

Peasant Movements in Bihar (Bakashat Movement) and other provinces

  1. Swami Sahajananda was related to which of the following?

    Asked in: BPSC Prelims Exam 66th

    1. Tribal Movement in Bihar
    2. Labour Movement in Bihar
    3. Peasant Movement in Bihar
    4. Caste Movement in Bihar
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Peasant Movement in Bihar

    - He founded the Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929 and later the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936, becoming its first president. - His activities were primarily focused on fighting for the rights of peasants against zamindars and the government, demanding abolition of zamindari, reduction in rent, etc.

  2. In 1937 in the Daundi-Lohara Zamindari there was a peasant movement, in which the peasants observed Satyagraha under the leadership of who of the following ?

    Asked in: CGPSC Prelims Exam 2019

    1. Narsingh Prasad Agrawal
    2. Sarayu Prasad Agrawal
    3. Wali Muhammad
    4. Wasudeo Deshmukh
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Wasudeo Deshmukh

    The Daundi-Lohara peasant movement of 1937 was an agitation against the oppressive practices of the zamindar, demanding reduction in land revenue and other grievances. Narsingh Prasad Agrawal emerged as a key leader of this satyagraha, mobilizing the peasants in the region. Sarayu Prasad Agrawal was also involved, but Narsingh Prasad is widely recognized as the main leader.

  3. Match List-I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists : List-I List-II (Peasant Movement) (Leader/Follower)

    Asked in: UPSC CAPF 2015

    1. Bakasht Land Move‐ 1. Baba ment Ramchandra 2. Kunhammed
    2. Eka Movement Haji
    3. Mappila Rebellion 3. Madari Pasi
    4. Avadh Kisan Sabha 4. Karyanand Movement Sharma Code : A. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1 B. A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1 C. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 D. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Bakasht Land Move‐ 1. Baba ment Ramchandra 2. Kunhammed

    A. Bakasht Land Movement: This movement, prominent in Bihar in the late 1930s, particularly under the leadership of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati and his Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha, involved peasants fighting for the restoration of Bakasht lands (lands previously cultivated by tenants but resumed by landlords often through forced evictions). Karyanand Sharma was a prominent leader of the Kisan Sabha in Bihar and was actively involved in leading struggles related to Bakasht lands, such as the memorable ghoshana of "Kaise loge malguzari, Latth hamara zindabad" (How will you collect rent, Long live our lathi/ stick) in Munger. B. Eka Movement: This movement emerged in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh in 1921-22. Its main grievances were related to high rents, oppression by landlords, and forced labour (begar). The movement was led by Madari Pasi and other low-caste leaders. C. Mappila Rebellion: A series of revolts by the Mappila Muslim peasants against the British and Hindu landlords (jenmis) in the Malabar region of Kerala, culminating in the major uprising of 1921. Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji was one of the principal leaders of the 1921 rebellion. D. Avadh Kisan Sabha Movement: Formed in October 1920, the Awadh Kisan Sabha consolidated the activities of the Kisan movement in the Awadh region. One of its key figures was Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi who had earlier organised peasants in Pratapgarh.

  4. Match List-1 with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I List-II

    Asked in: UPPSC Upper Mains 2006

    1. Bardoli 1. Swami Shraddhananda Satyagraha Saras wati
    2. Bhartiya Kisan 2. Sardar Vallabhbhia Pa‐ Vidyalaya tel
    3. Bengal Praja 3. Fazlul Haq Party
    4. Bakashat Agita‐ 4. N.G. Ranga tion A. A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1 B. A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1 C. A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3 D. A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bhartiya Kisan 2. Sardar Vallabhbhia Pa‐ Vidyalaya tel

    Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) was led by Sardar Patel against increased land revenue. The Bhartiya Kisan Vidyalaya was founded by N.G. Ranga. The Bengal Praja Party (later Krishak Praja Party) was a significant political party in Bengal led by A.K. Fazlul Haq. The Bakasht Agitation refers to peasant movements in Bihar concerning tenancy rights, significantly led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati, but sometimes associated with broader movements Swami Shraddhananda supported or inspired in earlier periods.

  5. The incident of 'Kudan' belongs to which peasant movement?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Sec. Edu.) Comp. Exam 2022

    1. Bikaner
    2. Bundi
    3. Begun
    4. Sikar
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Begun

    c-2022 The peasant movements in Rajasthan were a significant part of the anti-feudal struggle in the pre- independence era. The Begun peasant movement is noted for its strong organization and the violent suppression it faced.

  6. who among the following led the meo peasant movement ?

    Asked in: Sr. Teacher Gr II (Spl. Edu.) 2015

    1. mukarrab khan
    2. bakhtawar khan
    3. ashfaqualla khan
    4. yashin khan
    Show answer

    Answer: D. yashin khan

    This question pertains to peasant movements in colonial India, specifically focusing on the Meo community and their agrarian struggles. The Meo peasants, primarily in present-day Rajasthan, faced economic exploitation and oppression, leading to organized movements.

  7. 'Chipko Movement' started from

    Asked in: Assistant Accountant 2012

    1. Jaunpur
    2. Reni
    3. Jakholi
    4. Ghuttu
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Reni

    The Chipko Movement gained prominence in 1974 when women of Reni village hugged trees to prevent them from being felled, protesting against deforestation.

Role of Socialists and Communists in Peasant Movements

  1. In 1922, who referred to Lenin as 'the Dear Leader of the Kisans'?

    Asked in: UPSC CISF AC EXE 2019

    1. Swami Vidyananda
    2. Swami Sahajananda
    3. Baba Ramchandra
    4. Jawaharlal Nehru
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Baba Ramchandra

    - Baba Ramchandra was a leading figure in the kisan (peasant) movement in Awadh during the early 1920s, particularly around 1920-1921. - While primarily involved in the struggle against talukdars and landlords, he was influenced by nationalist ideas and, reflecting the revolutionary atmosphere of the time and the impact of the Russian Revolution, reportedly incorporated references to figures like Lenin in his speeches to mobilize peasants, portraying them as leaders of peasant/worker struggles globally. - This specific phrase is attributed to Baba Ramchandra in historical accounts detailing the peasant movements in Awadh during this period.

Tebhaga Movement (Bengal): Demands, strategies, and outcome

  1. Tebhaga Revolt of 1946 took place in:

    Asked in: OPSC CS Prelims 2018

    1. Gujarat
    2. Punjab
    3. Sind
    4. Bengal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Bengal

    The Tebhaga movement was a peasant movement in the Bengal Presidency of British India, demanding two-thirds (tebhaga) of the crop for the sharecroppers (bhagchasis) instead of the traditional one-half share.

  2. The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for

    Asked in: UPSC IAS 2013

    1. the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
    2. the grant of ownership of land to peasants as they were the actual cultivators of the land
    3. the uprooting of Zamindari system and the end of serfdom
    4. writing off all peasant debts
    Show answer

    Answer: A. the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third

    - The Tebhaga movement was a significant peasant agitation that took place in the Bengal province of British India (present-day West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh) during 1946-1947. - The movement was led by the Kisan Sabha (peasant front of the Communist Party of India). - The central demand of the Tebhaga movement was the reduction of the share of the harvest taken by the landlords from the traditional one-half (fifty-fifty share) to one-third (tebhaga, meaning "three parts," where the sharecropper would keep two-thirds). - The sharecroppers (known as 'bargadars' or 'adhiars') were tenants who cultivated the land but did not own it, giving a share of the produce to the landlord.

  3. The Tebhaga Movement of 1946 is associated with which of the following states of India?

    Asked in: WBCS Main Paper 3 2021

    1. Andhra Pradesh
    2. West Bengal
    3. Bihar
    4. Odisha
    Show answer

    Answer: B. West Bengal

    The movement involved sharecroppers (bargadars) demanding a larger share (two-thirds) of the harvested crop instead of the traditional half share given to the landlord.

  4. Tebhaga Andolan took place in which State of India?

    Asked in: Agriculture Development Officer 2021

    1. Madhya Pradesh
    2. Odisha
    3. Bengal
    4. Punjab
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Bengal

    The question is about significant peasant movements in India and their geographical locations.