Modern India: Chapter 3 — People's Resistance Against the British Before 1857
1. Important Civil Uprisings
Context: The period before 1857 witnessed numerous civil uprisings across India, reflecting the growing discontent against British colonial rule and its oppressive policies.
Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800) — Bihar & Bengal
- Also known as: Fakir Rebellion. Equal participation of Hindus and Muslims.
- Causes: 1770 Bengal famine, harsh British economic policies.
- Leaders: Majnum Shah, Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Bhawani Pathak, Debi Chaudharani.
- Raided Company factories and treasuries.
Revolt of Moamarias (1769-99) — Assam
- Low-caste peasants who followed Aniruddhadeva rose against Ahom Kings.
- Headquarters: Bhatiapar.
- Weakened Ahom hold on power.
Poligars's Revolt (1795–1805) — Tamil Nadu
- Poligars revolted when Nawab of Arcot gave Tinneveli and Carnatic Provinces to East India Company.
- Cause: Deprivation of right to collect kaval fees (hereditary village police office).
Paika Rebellion (1817) — Odisha
- Also known as: Khurda Rebellion.
- Paikas: Hereditary landed militia who rendered services in return for rent-free land (Nishkar Jagirs).
- Walter Ewer Commission recommended taking over Paika lands.
- Leaders: Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, Mukunda Deva, Dinabandhu Santra.
- Used Guerrilla Warfare; brutally repressed by 1818.
Ahom Revolt (1828) — Assam
- British did not withdraw after First Burma War (1824-26).
- Leaders: Gomdhar Konwar, Maharaja Purandhar Singh, Narendra Gadadhar Singh.
- Upper Assam handed over to Maharaja Purandhar Singh (conciliatory policy).
Wahabi Movement (1830–61)
- Islamist revivalist movement advocating complete adherence to Sharia.
- Leaders: Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly (inspired by Abdul Wahab and Shah Walilullah).
- Titu Mir led the movement in Bengal region.
- Important Centers: Sithana and Patna.
Kuka Movement (1840–72) — Punjab
- Founded by Bhagat Jawahar Mal (Sian Saheb).
- Initially socio-religious; became political after British took Punjab.
- Baba Ram Singh (Namdhari Sect leader) was deported to Rangoon in 1872.
Revolt of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (1797-1805) — Kerala
- Known as: "Kerala Simham" or 'Pyche Raja'.
- De facto head of Kottayam in Malabar region.
- Resisted British after exorbitant taxes imposed by Vira Varma.
Revolt of Diwan Velu Thampi (1808–09) — Travancore
- Resentment after subsidiary alliance agreement (1805) with Wellesley.
- Kundara Proclamation — called for armed resistance against British.
- Maharaja of Travancore defected to Company's side; rebellion suppressed.
Key Civil Uprisings:
- Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800) — Fakir Rebellion in Bihar & Bengal
- Paika Rebellion (1817) — Khurda Rebellion in Odisha
- Wahabi Movement (1830-61) — Islamic revivalist movement
- Kuka Movement (1840-72) — Socio-religious movement in Punjab
- Pazhassi Raja (1797-1805) — "Kerala Simham" in Kerala
- Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800) — Fakir Rebellion in Bihar & Bengal
- Paika Rebellion (1817) — Khurda Rebellion in Odisha
- Wahabi Movement (1830-61) — Islamic revivalist movement
- Kuka Movement (1840-72) — Socio-religious movement in Punjab
- Pazhassi Raja (1797-1805) — "Kerala Simham" in Kerala
2. Important Peasant Movements
Context: Peasant movements emerged as a response to oppressive land revenue policies, exploitation by zamindars, and the economic hardships caused by British rule.
Narkelberia Uprising (1782-1831) — Bengal
- Leader: Mir Nithar Ali (Titu Mir).
- First armed peasant uprising against British.
- Inspired Muslim tenants to rise against landlords and British indigo planters.
- Evolved into Wahabi Movement.
Pagal Panthis (1825-1835) — North East India
- Semi-religious group in Mymensingh district; Hajong and Garo tribes.
- Founder: Karam Shah.
- Leader: Karam Shah's son Tipu — organized resistance against zamindars.
- Government introduced equitable arrangement but violently suppressed.
Moplah Uprisings (1836-1854)
- 22 rebellions took place during these years.
- Causes: High revenue demand, reduction of field size, oppression by British officials.
- Note: Second Moplah Uprising occurred in 1921.
Knowledge Nugget
The peasant movements before 1857 were largely localized and lacked coordination, but they demonstrated the growing discontent among the agrarian population and set the stage for larger uprisings like the Revolt of 1857.
The peasant movements before 1857 were largely localized and lacked coordination, but they demonstrated the growing discontent among the agrarian population and set the stage for larger uprisings like the Revolt of 1857.
3. Important Tribal Revolts
Context: Tribal revolts were among the most significant forms of resistance against British rule, as the colonial policies threatened the traditional way of life of forest-dwelling communities.
Pahariyas Rebellion (1778) — Raj Mahal Hills
- Hill dwellers subsisted through forest produce and shifting cultivation.
- Conflict escalated with British-promoted settled agriculture.
- Leader: Raja Jagganath.
- British pacification included annual allowances to Paharia chiefs.
Revolt of Tilka Manjhi — Santhal Pargana
- Leader: Tilka Majhi (Jabra Paharia).
- Opposed British divide-and-rule strategy.
- Operated around Sultanganj; looted British treasury; shared with poor.
- Organized guerrilla warfare; involved Santhal women.
- Allegedly shot British magistrate Augustus Cleveland in 1784.
Jungle Mahal Revolt / Chuar Uprisings (1776) — Chota Nagpur
- Rebellion due to revenue hike and British instructions to demolish mud forts (1767).
- Leaders: Jagannath Singh, Shyam Ganjan, Subla Singh, Dubraj, Durjan Singh.
- Most significant Chuar uprising in 1798 under Durjan Singh.
Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) — Bihar
- Santhals moved to Rajmahal area for settled life.
- Daman-i-Koh formed to settle Santhal-Paharia feud.
- Heavy taxes under Permanent Settlement Act (1793) led to debt and land loss.
- Rebellion called 'hul' (movement for liberation).
- Leaders: Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu.
- Post-revolt: Santhal Pargana created with special laws for tribals. [UPSC 2018]
Birsa Munda Revolt (1890s-1901) — Singhbhum & Ranchi
- Also known as: 'The Ulgulan' (Great Tumult). [UPSC 2020]
- Aim: Establish independent Munda Raj.
- Anger against moneylenders, outsiders ('dikus'), and Christian Missionaries.
- Government measures: Abolition of compulsory begar, Tenancy Act of 1903, Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908).
Key Tribal Revolts:
- Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) — Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu; 'hul'
- Birsa Munda (1890s-1901) — 'Ulgulan'; Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908)
- Tilka Manjhi — Shot British magistrate in 1784
- Pahariyas Rebellion (1778) — Raja Jagganath
- Chuar Uprisings (1776) — Jagannath Singh, Durjan Singh
- Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) — Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu; 'hul'
- Birsa Munda (1890s-1901) — 'Ulgulan'; Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908)
- Tilka Manjhi — Shot British magistrate in 1784
- Pahariyas Rebellion (1778) — Raja Jagganath
- Chuar Uprisings (1776) — Jagannath Singh, Durjan Singh
4. Other Tribal Revolts
Context: Numerous other tribal communities across India rose in rebellion against British rule, each with its own unique causes and leadership.
| Revolt | Year | Region | Leader | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kol Uprisings | 1831 | Chotanagpur | Buddho Bhagat | Land transfers, British policies |
| Ho & Munda Uprisings | 1820-37 | Jharkhand | Raja Parahat (1827) | Farming revenue policy |
| Khonda Dora Campaign | 1900 | Dabur, Visakhapatnam | Korra Mallaya | Mobilizing Khonda Doras |
| Bhil Revolts | 1817-19, 1913 | Western Ghats | Govind Guru | Organize 'Bhil Raj' |
| Rampa Revolt | 1916, 1922-24 | Andhra Pradesh | Alluri Sitarama Raju | British interference |
| Forest Satyagrahas | 1920s-30s | Guntur, Palamau | Chenchus, Karwars | British control over lands |
| Ramosi Uprisings | — | Western Ghats | Chittur Singh, Umaji Naik | Annexation of Maratha territories |
| Khasi Uprising | Up to 1833 | Garo & Jaintia Hills | Tirath Singh | Resistance against outsiders |
| Singhphos Rebellion | 1830 onwards | Assam | Nirang Phidu | British political agent killed |
| Kukis Revolt | 1917-1919 | Manipur | — | Labour recruitment in WWI |
| Naga Movement | 1905-1931 | Manipur | Jadonang | Aim to establish 'Naga Raj' |
| Heraka Cult | 1930s | Manipur | Rani Gaidinlu | Led to Kabui Naga Association (1946) |
5. Summary: Key Revolts & Leaders
| Revolt | Year | Region | Leaders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanyasi Revolt | 1763-1800 | Bihar & Bengal | Majnum Shah, Chirag Ali, Bhawani Pathak |
| Moamarias Revolt | 1769-99 | Assam | — |
| Poligars Revolt | 1795-1805 | Tamil Nadu | — |
| Paika Rebellion | 1817 | Odisha | Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar |
| Ahom Revolt | 1828 | Assam | Gomdhar Konwar, Purandhar Singh |
| Wahabi Movement | 1830-61 | Bihar, Bengal, NWFP | Syed Ahmed, Titu Mir |
| Kuka Movement | 1840-72 | Punjab | Bhagat Jawahar Mal, Baba Ram Singh |
| Pazhassi Raja Revolt | 1797-1805 | Kerala | Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja |
| Velu Thampi Revolt | 1808-09 | Travancore | Diwan Velu Thampi |
| Narkelberia Uprising | 1782-1831 | Bengal | Titu Mir |
| Santhal Rebellion | 1855-56 | Bihar | Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu |
| Birsa Munda Revolt | 1890s-1901 | Singhbhum & Ranchi | Birsa Munda |
| Rampa Revolt | 1916, 1922-24 | Andhra Pradesh | Alluri Sitarama Raju |
| Khasi Uprising | Up to 1833 | Meghalaya | Tirath Singh |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800) — Fakir Rebellion; Majnum Shah
- Paika Rebellion (1817) — Odisha; Bakshi Jagabandhu
- Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) — Sidhu & Kanhu Murmu; 'hul'
- Birsa Munda (1890s-1901) — 'Ulgulan'; Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908)
- Wahabi Movement (1830-61) — Syed Ahmed; Titu Mir
- Kuka Movement (1840-72) — Punjab; Bhagat Jawahar Mal
- Rampa Revolt (1922-24) — Alluri Sitarama Raju
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 3 Focus)
Q1. The Sanyasi Revolt (1763-1800) is also known as:
Correct Answer: A. The Sanyasi Revolt is also known as the Fakir Rebellion. It was characterized by equal participation of Hindus and Muslims.
Q2. The Paika Rebellion (1817) took place in which region?
Correct Answer: B. The Paika Rebellion (also known as Khurda Rebellion) took place in Odisha in 1817, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar.
Q3. Who was the leader of the Wahabi Movement in the Bengal region?
Correct Answer: B. Titu Mir led the Wahabi Movement in the Bengal region. Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly was the founder of the movement.
Q4. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) was led by:
Correct Answer: B. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) was led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu. The Santhals called their rebellion 'hul' (movement for liberation).
Q5. The Birsa Munda Revolt (1890s-1901) is also known as:
Correct Answer: B. The Birsa Munda Revolt is also known as 'The Ulgulan' (Great Tumult). [UPSC 2020]
Q6. The Kundara Proclamation was made by:
Correct Answer: B. Diwan Velu Thampi issued the Kundara Proclamation in 1809, calling for armed resistance against the British in Travancore.
Q7. The Kuka Movement was founded by:
Correct Answer: B. The Kuka Movement was founded in 1840 by Bhagat Jawahar Mal (also called Sian Saheb) in western Punjab.
Q8. The Rampa Revolt (1922-24) was led by:
Correct Answer: B. The Rampa Revolt (1916, 1922-24) was led by Alluri Sitarama Raju against British interference in Andhra Pradesh.
Q9. The Heraka Cult was led by:
Correct Answer: A. Rani Gaidinlu led the Heraka Cult in the 1930s in Manipur. It led to the formation of the Kabui Naga Association in 1946.
Q10. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in which year?
Correct Answer: B. The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act was passed in 1908 as a result of the Birsa Munda Revolt, recognizing the Mundas' Khuntkatti system.