Peasant Struggles of 20th Century: Key Movements and Their Impact on India’s Freedom Fight (Part-02)

The 20th century was a transformative era in India’s socio-political history, marked by the intensification of the freedom struggle and the assertion of rural voices against colonial exploitation. The peasants, burdened by oppressive land revenue systems, unjust taxation, and exploitative practices by landlords, became central actors in India’s anti-colonial movements. Their collective struggles were no longer confined to local grievances but intertwined with the larger nationalist aspirations, embodying the spirit of resistance and reform.

From the Eka Movement in northern India to the Bardoli Satyagraha and the establishment of the All India Kisan Sabha, these peasant movements highlighted the resilience of rural India. They not only challenged colonial and feudal oppression but also set the stage for organized and ideological mobilization that significantly shaped India’s path to independence.

Eka Movement (1921)

The Eka Movement, or the “Unity Movement,” emerged in late 1921 in the northern districts of the United Provinces (UP), including Hardoi, Bahraich, and Sitapur. This movement reflected the simmering discontent among peasants over high rents and exploitative practices.

• Key Issues

• • Exorbitant Rents: Peasants faced rents that were 50% higher than the officially recorded rates.
  • Thikadars’ Oppression: Revenue collectors, known as thikadars, subjected peasants to harassment and extortion.
  • Share-Rents: The practice of demanding a share of the produce compounded the financial burdens of the peasants.
• Pledge of Unity: During public meetings, peasants undertook symbolic religious rituals and pledged:
  • To pay only the officially recorded rent and to do so on time.
  • To resist eviction and remain steadfast on their lands.
  • To refuse forced labor.
  • To not assist criminals and adhere to decisions made by village panchayats.
• Leadership: The movement drew its grassroots leadership from lower-caste leaders such as Madari Pasi and gained support from some small zamindars.
• Government Repression: By March 1922, the movement faced severe suppression, resulting in its decline. Despite its short-lived nature, the Eka Movement underscored the peasants’ collective resolve against economic and social exploitation.

Mappila Rebellion (1921)

The Mappila Rebellion in Malabar, Kerala, was a significant uprising rooted in agrarian distress and communal tensions. It primarily involved the Mappila (Muslim) tenants, who had long suffered under Hindu landlords.

Background

• Historical Grievances: The Mappilas faced a lack of security of tenure, high rents, and oppressive demands from landlords.
• Connection with Khilafat: The Mappila movement merged with the Khilafat-Non-Cooperation Movement, aligning local grievances with broader anti-colonial efforts.

Course of the Rebellion

1. Initial Mobilization:
   • Inspired by leaders like Ali Musaliar, the Mappilas targeted symbols of British authority, including courts, police stations, and treasuries.
   • The rebellion initially sought to address both colonial and landlord oppression.
2. Communalization:
   • The rebellion took a communal turn when the British intensified repression and declared martial law.
   • Mappilas began targeting Hindus, whom they perceived as collaborators with the British.
3. Suppression: By December 1921, the British authorities had brutally suppressed the rebellion, using martial law and mass arrests. The communalization of the revolt led to its isolation from the larger Khilafat-Non-Cooperation Movement.
4. Significance: While the Mappila Rebellion highlighted agrarian distress, its communal nature underscored the challenges of maintaining unity in peasant movements under colonial repression.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

The Bardoli Satyagraha, led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, became a symbol of peasant resilience against unjust taxation in Gujarat’s Bardoli taluqa.

• Background
  • Unjust Revenue Hike: In 1926, the authorities increased land revenue by 30%, which Congress leaders deemed excessive and unjustified.
  • Bardoli Inquiry Committee: This committee, formed to investigate the matter, confirmed the revenue hike’s illegitimacy.
• Leadership of Sardar Patel
  • Patel mobilized peasants to refuse payment of the revised assessment until the government reviewed its decision.
  • He set up 13 chhavanis (workers’ camps), launched the Bardoli Satyagraha Patrika, and organized women and youth to actively participate.
  • Social boycotts were imposed on those who opposed the movement.
• Resolution: By August 1928, the government, facing mounting pressure, agreed to review the revenue assessment. An independent committee recommended reducing the increase to 6.03%, and all confiscated lands were returned to the peasants.
• Significance: The Bardoli Satyagraha solidified Sardar Patel’s reputation as a leader of the masses and demonstrated the power of organized, nonviolent resistance in securing economic justice.

All India Kisan Sabha (1936)

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) was founded in Lucknow in 1936 to represent the interests of farmers nationwide. Its leaders included Swami Sahajanand Saraswati as president and N.G. Ranga as general secretary.

Manifesto and Objectives

• The Kisan Manifesto outlined demands such as fair land revenue policies, abolition of feudal practices, and protection against exploitation.
• AIKS advocated for agrarian reforms and sought to unify farmers across regions.

Collaborations with Congress: The AIKS worked closely with the Indian National Congress, influencing its agrarian policies, particularly during the Faizpur Session of 1936.

• Peasant Mobilization (1937–1939)

• • • The AIKS expanded its activities during Congress ministries’ tenure in provinces, organizing Kisan Sabhas, marches, and campaigns across India.
    • In regions like Kerala, Bihar, Punjab, and Andhra, AIKS leaders galvanized peasants to demand tenancy reforms, lower rents, and better rights.

• Wartime Challenges (1940–1944)

• • Internal divisions within the AIKS emerged, with factions aligning with communist and non-communist ideologies.
  • Despite these challenges, the Sabha played a crucial role in providing famine relief during the Bengal Famine of 1943.

The Kirti Kisan Movement (1926–1934)

The Kirti Kisan Movement, initiated by Bhai Santokh Singh, combined peasant and worker struggles with revolutionary ideals inspired by the Ghadar movement.

• Key Initiatives

• • • The Kirti magazine served as a platform to raise awareness about agrarian and labor issues.
    • The Kirti Kisan Sabha, established by Sohan Singh Josh, called for complete independence and rejected dominion status.

• Challenges and Legacy

• • The movement faced severe repression, including the Meerut Conspiracy case and eventual outlawing under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908.
  • Despite its suppression, the Kirti Kisan Movement underscored the revolutionary potential of united peasant and labor mobilization.

Significance of 20th-Century Peasant Movements

1. Integration with Nationalism: Movements like the Eka Movement, Bardoli Satyagraha, and AIKS campaigns linked agrarian struggles with India’s freedom movement, amplifying the call for independence.
2. Social and Economic Justice: These movements challenged feudal and colonial exploitation, laying the groundwork for post-independence land reforms.
3. Empowerment of Peasants: The active participation of peasants in these movements fostered a sense of agency and unity among rural communities.
4. Mass Mobilization: The movements demonstrated the power of collective action, setting a precedent for future struggles for rights and justice.

Conclusion

The peasant movements of the 20th century were not just resistance against economic exploitation but powerful assertions of dignity and collective agency. They showcased the transformative potential of rural India in shaping the nation’s destiny. As integral components of the broader freedom struggle, these movements reinforced the importance of unity, nonviolent resistance, and the pursuit of justice. Their legacy continues to inspire contemporary struggles for agrarian reform and rural empowerment in independent India.

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