Peasants and Farmers Movements

India has a rather long history of the farmer movement that has shaped their social and economical condition to a large extent today. Its origin can be traced back to the colonial era when farmers from across the country mobilised in large numbers to protest against the atrocities perpetrated against them. They revolted against issues like high tax regime, blatant exploitation, underpayment, and losing rights over their land. There have been numerous farmer movements, including but not limited to, Champaran (1917), Kheda Satyagraha (1918), Bardoli Satyagraha Movement (1925), Tebhaga Movement (1946-1947), and Deccan riots (1875). These movements mobilised farmers in the overall nationalist movement that led to India’s freedom in 1947.

Problems of Farmers During the Colonial Era

India was a largely agrarian society when the Britishers occupied the country. Agriculture was not conducted without its problems, but it was sufficient for the sustainability and livelihood of farmers. Most estimates report that around 85% of the population earned their livelihood from agriculture and related sectors during the colonial period. 

However, the Britishers wanted to maximise their own profits at the expense of farmers and peasants. During the colonial era, farmers had to go through problems like:

1. The exploitation of agricultural labourers: Zamindars and landlords exploited poor farmers to the point that many even worked as bonded labourers on farms. Their wage was abysmally low, their working hours were terribly long, and they were deprived of basic dignity.
2. Unfavourable policies: The colonial rulers carefully devised policies that benefited those who were already privileged. They were meant to protect and benefit moneylenders and landlords.
3. High taxes: Tax rates during the colonial era were one of the highest in the world. Even if the farmers’ crops failed, they were not exempted from paying taxes. Many sold their children just to keep up with the tax.
4. Zamindari system: It was a major impediment to farmers’ economic conditions and growth. It was prevalent mostly in the Bengal presidency. Under this system, whatever profits were made on the farm went to the zamindars’ pockets instead of the farmers.

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Farmer movements in India before the 1900s

Farmer movements in the country before the 1900s were unorganised and staggered. One of the most significant movements in this period was the Indigo movement. Britishers forced farmers to grow indigo instead of food crops to maximise profits. This resulted in many problems for farmers. They were given meagre prices for indigo and it resulted in a fall in soil fertility. It also did not provide food security as farmers could eat food crops but could not eat indigo.

The government in 1860 formed the Indigo commission that ruled that it was illegal to force cultivators to grow indigo. Farmers emerged victoriously. 

Deccan Riots of 1875 were held to protest against the high money demand of Marwadi and Gujarati moneylenders. High duties were imposed on farmers and land revenue was increased by 50%. An Indian farmer’s meagre income could not afford such heavy duties. Hence, a social boycott movement was organised in 1874 in which they decided to not purchase from their shops and not serve them in any capacity. The movement was prevalent in western India, but it could not be entirely successful. However, the government passed Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act in 1879.

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Farmer movements in India after the 1900s

Mahatma Gandhi emerged as a major national leader in the early 20th century. He led the fight for Indian farmers’ upliftment. Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 remains a historic movement led by him.

Champaran Satyagraha: In Bihar’s Champaran, farmers were horribly exploited. They were not compensated fairly for their work. They were forced to grow indigo on at least 3/20th of their farmland, for which they received minimal income. In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi reached there after returning from South Africa and refused to leave the village until farmers’ demands were met.  Champaran Agrarian Act was passed in May 1918, as per which farmers were freed from paying high taxes. The movement turned violent at the end, which was against Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence. Nevertheless, it is considered an important farmer movement in the freedom struggle.

Kheda Satyagraha (1919): In Gujarat’s Kheda, farmers’ harvest failed due to drought-like conditions. However, even then they were forced to pay taxes. Leaders like Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel came together to fight for farmers’ cause. The prime demands raised by farmers were fulfilled by the government.

Bardoli Movement (1928): Even after a crop failure, the British government refused to omit tax collections and even hiked the land revenue by 30%. Agitated farmers came together and all attempts by the British forces to suppress the movement failed. In the end, the tax payment was omitted for that year and the hike in inland revenue was lowered down to 6% only.

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Conclusion

Farmer’s movement in India after the 1900s played a huge role in the overall nationalist movement. Poor peasants were made aware of their rights and their role in the freedom struggle. They struggled against the unfair tax regimes and policies imposed by the British government. Through non-cooperation and non-violence, they brought the Britishers to their knees, emerging out victorious in the end.