Modern History Playlist
19 chapters • 0 completed
1
Advent of Europeans in India
9 topics
2
Decline of the Mughal Empire
7 topics
3
Emergence of Regional States
11 topics
4
Expansion and Consolidation of British Power
19 topics
5
British Government & Economic Policies (1757–1857)
4 topics
6
Social Reform Movements
20 topics
7
People’s Resistance before 1857
3 topics
8
The revolt of 1857
6 topics
9
Growth of Nationalism and Moderate Phase of Congress
6 topics
10
British Administration in India
7 topics
11
Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909)
5 topics
12
First Phase of Revolutionary Activities(1907-1917)
8 topics
13
India’s Response to First World War and Home Rule Movement
4 topics
14
Emergence of Gandhi
6 topics
15
Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Movement
7 topics
16
Emergence of Swarajists, Socialist Ideas, Revolutionary Activities
5 topics
17
Struggle For Swaraj: 1928-1935
13 topics
18
Period from 1935-42
9 topics
19
Period from 1942-47
22 topics
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Chapter 7: People’s Resistance before 1857
Chapter Test3 topics•Estimated reading: 9 minutes
Background
Key Point
Before the Revolt of 1857, India saw numerous localized resistances by peasants, tribals, soldiers, and dispossessed rulers against British policies, revenue demands, and socio-cultural interference.
Before the Revolt of 1857, India saw numerous localized resistances by peasants, tribals, soldiers, and dispossessed rulers against British policies, revenue demands, and socio-cultural interference.
Detailed Notes (5 points)
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The period between 1757 (Battle of Plassey) and 1857 was marked by continuous localized revolts.
These included peasant uprisings, tribal rebellions, civil rebellions, and resistance by disbanded armies.
Causes: oppressive land revenue systems (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari), heavy taxation, corruption of Company officials, loss of traditional rights, decline of artisanal industries, and social-religious interference.
Rebellions were spontaneous, often leaderless or led by local chiefs, saints, or dispossessed zamindars.
Though crushed, they sowed seeds of anti-British sentiment and set the stage for the 1857 Revolt.
Major People’s Resistance before 1857
| Rebellion/Uprising | Leader | Region/Year | Cause/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanyasi-Fakir Rebellion | Majnu Shah, local monks | Bengal (1763–1800) | Caused by famine, revenue oppression, religious restrictions; combined Hindu-Muslim saints. |
| Poligar Rebellion | Kattabomman, Marudu Brothers | Tamil Nadu (1799–1801) | Rebellion against Company’s high revenue demand & loss of autonomy. |
| Vellore Mutiny | Indian sepoys | Vellore (1806) | Triggered by military dress code interference (religious symbols); foreshadowed 1857 revolt. |
| Paika Rebellion | Bakshi Jagabandhu | Odisha (1817) | Against land settlement system & dispossession of Paikas; considered precursor to 1857. |
| Bhil Uprisings | Bhil tribes | Western India (1817–1846) | Revolted against alienation from forest rights and exploitative policies. |
| Kol Uprising | Chotanagpur tribes | 1831–32 | Targeted moneylenders, zamindars, and British officials for exploitation. |
| Khasis Revolt | Tirot Singh | Northeast (1829–32) | Opposed British road construction and interference in hill politics. |
| Santhal Revolt | Sidhu & Kanhu | Jharkhand (1855–56) | Largest tribal uprising; aimed against zamindars, moneylenders, British revenue officials. |
| Indigo Revolt | Peasants of Bengal | 1859–60 (roots before 1857) | Against forced cultivation of indigo under oppressive conditions. |
| Ahom Revolt | Gomdhar Konwar, Maniram Dewan | Assam (1828, 1850s) | Against annexation & suppression of Ahom nobility. |
| Ramosi Rebellion | Chittur Singh, Umaji Naik | Western India (1822–29) | Peasant-tribal discontent; opposed British revenue system. |
| Kittur Uprising | Rani Chennamma | Karnataka (1824) | Against Doctrine of Lapse-like annexation; early women-led revolt. |
Fun Facts
Vellore Mutiny (1806) saw sepoys hoist the flag of Tipu Sultan’s family inside the fort.
Santhals in 1855 created their own parallel government before suppression.
Rani Chennamma of Kittur is remembered as one of the earliest women freedom fighters against the British.
Mains Key Points
Pre-1857 resistance reflected the deep socio-economic discontent caused by British colonial policies.
These revolts were diverse — tribal, peasant, civil, and military — showing the breadth of anti-colonial feeling.
Limitations included lack of coordination, modern weapons, and pan-Indian unity.
Nevertheless, these movements created a tradition of resistance that culminated in the Revolt of 1857.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Paika Rebellion (1817) is considered by Odisha historians as the First War of Independence.
Vellore Mutiny (1806) was the first large-scale sepoy mutiny against the British.
Santhal Revolt (1855–56) led to creation of Santhal Parganas as separate district later.
Kol Uprising (1831–32) showed early tribal-peasant alliance against exploitative intermediaries.
Peasant Movements in India
Key Point
Peasant movements in colonial India were protests against oppressive land revenue systems, moneylenders, and exploitative landlords. They gradually evolved from local agrarian revolts into organized struggles linked with nationalism.
Peasant movements in colonial India were protests against oppressive land revenue systems, moneylenders, and exploitative landlords. They gradually evolved from local agrarian revolts into organized struggles linked with nationalism.
Detailed Notes (5 points)
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Peasants suffered under high revenue demands, illegal cesses, and forced cultivation (especially indigo, cotton, opium).
Indebtedness to moneylenders often led to loss of land and social oppression.
Movements were not isolated – they overlapped with tribal uprisings and even early nationalist activities.
Religious and cultural idioms (like invoking village deities) were often used to mobilize peasants.
By the 20th century, Kisan Sabhas and Congress incorporated agrarian demands into the freedom struggle.
Major Peasant Movements in India
| Movement | Region/Year | Leader(s) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santhal Hul (Santhal Rebellion) | Jharkhand (1855–56) | Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu | Adivasi-peasant uprising against moneylenders, zamindars, and British oppression. |
| Indigo Revolt | Bengal (1859–60) | Peasant leaders; Dinabandhu Mitra’s 'Nil Darpan' | Against forced indigo cultivation by European planters. |
| Pabna Agrarian Uprisings | East Bengal (1873–76) | Agrarian leagues | Peasants resisted illegal rents and eviction by zamindars. |
| Deccan Riots | Maharashtra (1875) | Village peasants | Anti-moneylender revolt; peasants attacked sahukars and burnt debt records. |
| Moplah Uprisings | Malabar (1836–1921) | Moplah peasants | Against landlords and British authority; mixed agrarian + religious discontent. |
| Eka Movement | Avadh (1921–22) | Madari Pasi, local leaders | Against high rents, begar (forced labor), and excessive interest rates. |
| Champaran Satyagraha | Bihar (1917) | Mahatma Gandhi | First Gandhian satyagraha; against forced indigo cultivation. |
| Bardoli Satyagraha | Gujarat (1928) | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Successful no-tax movement against revenue hike; Patel became 'Sardar'. |
| Munda Ulgulan (Great Tumult) | Chotanagpur (1899–1900) | Birsa Munda | Anti-zamindar and anti-British; demanded tribal-peasant rights on land (Khuntkatti system). |
| Tebhaga Movement | Bengal (1946–47) | Kisan Sabha, Communist leaders | Sharecroppers demanded 2/3rd share of produce instead of half. |
| Telangana Rebellion | Hyderabad State (1946–51) | Communist Party of India | Armed peasant struggle against feudal lords (Reddys, Nizams). |
Fun Facts
Dinabandhu Mitra’s play 'Nil Darpan' on Indigo Revolt was translated by Rev. James Long, for which he was jailed.
During Deccan Riots, peasants destroyed account books instead of harming sahukars physically — symbolic resistance.
Birsa Munda’s followers believed he had divine powers and called him 'Dharti Abba' (Father of Earth).
Bardoli peasants sent their bullocks away so revenue officers couldn’t seize them.
Mains Key Points
Peasant movements exposed the exploitative nature of colonial land revenue policies and intermediaries.
They reflected class, caste, and tribal grievances, often blending economic, social, and religious issues.
Over time, they transitioned from local uprisings to nationalist struggles, influencing the Congress and leftist politics.
They sowed seeds for later agrarian reforms and shaped India’s socio-political consciousness.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Santhal Hul (1855–56) → led by Sidhu-Kanhu, major tribal-peasant uprising.
Deccan Riots (1875) → peasants attacked sahukars; Deccan Riots Commission formed.
Champaran (1917) → Gandhi’s first satyagraha in India.
Tebhaga (1946–47) → 2/3 share for sharecroppers.
Bardoli (1928) → Patel earned title 'Sardar'.
Munda Ulgulan (1899–1900) → Birsa Munda became a legendary tribal hero.
Tribal Revolts in India
Key Point
Tribal revolts were among the earliest and most militant uprisings against British rule, landlords, moneylenders, and missionaries. They were rooted in defense of land, forests, culture, and autonomy.
Tribal revolts were among the earliest and most militant uprisings against British rule, landlords, moneylenders, and missionaries. They were rooted in defense of land, forests, culture, and autonomy.
Detailed Notes (5 points)
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British forest policies restricted shifting cultivation (jhum), hunting and forest produce collection, alienating tribals from their livelihood.
Introduction of moneylenders, traders and revenue policies led to exploitation and indebtedness.
Missionaries attempted to change tribal customs, creating cultural insecurities.
Most revolts were violent and local, but they displayed extraordinary organisation and courage.
They predated 1857 and served as precursors to larger anti-colonial struggles.
Major Tribal Revolts in India
| Revolt | Region/Year | Leader(s) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuar Rebellion | Bengal, 1766–72 & 1798–99 | Local zamindars (tribal chiefs) | Against high revenue demands; guerrilla warfare in Jungle Mahal. |
| Halba Rebellion | Bastar (Chhattisgarh), 1774–79 | Halba tribes | Conflict against Marathas and British intrusion. |
| Tamar Revolt | Chotanagpur, 1789–95 | Local tribal chiefs | Revolted against British oppression and moneylenders. |
| Bhil Revolts | Western India (1817–48) | Bhil leaders | Targeted British officials, landlords and traders. |
| Koli Rebellion | Gujarat & Western India, 1829–31 | Koli chiefs | Resisted British revenue policies and police oppression. |
| Khasi Rebellion | North-East (1830–33) | Tirot Singh | Opposed British road construction; guerrilla war. |
| Kol Uprising | Chotanagpur, 1831–32 | Kol tribes | Against moneylenders, zamindars, and British agents. |
| Khond Uprisings | Orissa, 1846–62 | Chakradhar Singh, Dora Bisoi | Opposed British interference in Meriah sacrifice and tribal customs. |
| Santhal Hul | Rajmahal Hills, 1855–56 | Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu | 50,000 tribals rose against British, moneylenders, zamindars; brutally suppressed. |
| Koya Revolt | Godavari (1840s–77) | Tomma Sora, Raja Anantayya | Against exploitative officials, police and revenue farmers. |
| Bastar Rebellion | Bastar, 1910 | Local tribal chiefs | Opposed colonial forest policies curtailing traditional rights. |
| Munda Ulgulan | Chotanagpur, 1899–1900 | Birsa Munda | Religious-political movement; demanded Khuntkatti system restoration; declared Munda Raj. |
| Rampa Rebellion | Andhra (1879–80, 1922–24) | Alluri Sitarama Raju (later phase) | Tribal resistance against oppressive forest regulations. |
Fun Facts
Birsa Munda created his own faith 'Birsait' blending tribal tradition with reform.
Santhal Hul had its own parallel administration during the revolt.
Khasi leader Tirot Singh is still revered as a freedom fighter in Meghalaya.
Bhil guerrillas controlled forest areas for years, forcing British to negotiate.
Mains Key Points
Tribal revolts were not just economic protests but also cultural assertions to protect identity and autonomy.
They exposed the exploitative nature of British forest, revenue and missionary policies.
Though mostly localised, they displayed mass mobilisation and political consciousness.
They influenced later nationalist leaders who saw them as the first battles of freedom.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Santhal Hul (1855–56) → Sidhu-Kanhu Murmu; huge participation (~50,000 tribals).
Munda Ulgulan (1899–1900) → Birsa Munda; called 'Dharti Abba'.
Khasi Rebellion (1830–33) → led by Tirot Singh against road construction.
Khond Uprising (1846–62) → against Meriah sacrifice suppression.
Rampa Revolt → later led by Alluri Sitarama Raju (1922–24).
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