2.2.2 - Rebellion in the Countryside

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Understanding the Peasant Movements

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're diving deep into the peasant movements during the Non-Cooperation Movement. Can anyone tell me what challenges the peasants faced?

Student 1
Student 1

They faced high rents and forced labor from landlords.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! The peasants in Awadh, for instance, led by Baba Ramchandra, were demanding reductions in revenue and the abolition of practices like begar. Remember, 'begar' means forced labor without payment. Who can think of why these issues would create discontent among the peasants?

Student 2
Student 2

Because they were being exploited and had no rights over their land.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! This exploitation prompted widespread anger, leading to organized protests. It shows how the local struggles linked up with the national movement.

The Role of Mahatma Gandhi

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Teacher
Teacher

Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in these movements. How did he influence peasant actions according to the text?

Student 3
Student 3

Gandhi advocated for non-violence and sought to unify various groups under a common struggle for freedom.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! But when local leaders interpreted Gandhi's call for 'swaraj' differently, it led to more violent actions in some cases. Can someone give an example?

Student 4
Student 4

The rebellion led by Alluri Sitaram Raju in the Gudem Hills is one where people began using force.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Sitaram Raju was a key figure who asserted that 'swaraj' could be achieved through armed resistance. It shows the diverse interpretations of Gandhi's principles.

Tribal Responses to Colonialism

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Teacher
Teacher

Tribal communities in regions like Andhra Pradesh also felt the strain of colonial policies. How did they express their resistance?

Student 1
Student 1

They revolted against restrictions on land and resources, and Alluri Sitaram Raju led them.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Raju claimed he had special powers and rallied the Gudem rebels by advocating for swaraj through force. Why is this significant in understanding Indian nationalism?

Student 2
Student 2

It shows that different people had their unique interpretations of swaraj and their struggles aligned with that.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! This illustrates the multifaceted nature of the Indian independence struggle.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section explores the impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement on rural India and highlights various peasant and tribal struggles that emerged post-World War I.

Standard

The section discusses how the Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, extended to the countryside, involving peasants who faced exploitation from landlords and tribals who resisted colonial policies. It describes specific movements, key figures like Baba Ramchandra and Alluri Sitaram Raju, and the diverse interpretations of 'swaraj' among various groups.

Detailed

The Non-Cooperation Movement, beginning in urban India, significantly influenced rural regions as well. In Awadh, peasants mobilized against oppressive landlords demanding exorbitant rents and forced labor without pay (begar). The movement, led by figures such as Baba Ramchandra and supported by Jawaharlal Nehru, sought the abolition of begar and a reduction in revenue. As it extended, the movement sometimes led to violent uprisings, which deviated from Gandhi's principle of non-violence. Tribal populations in places like the Gudem Hills also interpreted swaraj through a rebellious lens, rallying around leaders like Alluri Sitaram Raju, who advocated for armed resistance against colonial practices restraining their rights to land and resources. These varied movements illustrated the complexity of nationalism in India, showing how different communities connected their struggles against colonial rule to Gandhi's broader call for independence.

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Audio Book

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Peasant Movements

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From the cities, the Non-Cooperation Movement spread to the countryside. It drew into its fold the struggles of peasants and tribals which were developing in different parts of India in the years after the war. In Awadh, peasants were led by Baba Ramchandra – a sanyasi who had earlier been to Fiji as an indentured labourer. The movement here was against talukdars and landlords who demanded from peasants exorbitantly high rents and a variety of other cesses.

Detailed Explanation

The Non-Cooperation Movement transitioned from urban areas to rural regions, involving the fight of peasants against oppressive practices by landowners. Specifically, in Awadh, farmers, led by Baba Ramchandra, opposed harsh taxation and exploitation by landlords. They sought to end the charges imposed on them, fighting for fair treatment and basic rights over the lands they cultivated.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a group of farmers in a small town banding together to fight against a large corporation that charges them an unreasonably high price for the land they need to farm. This is similar to how farmers in Awadh united against landlords who demanded high rents and forced labor.

Demands of the Peasant Movement

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Peasants had to do begar and work at landlords’ farms without any payment. As tenants they had no security of tenure, being regularly evicted so that they could acquire no right over the leased land. The peasant movement demanded reduction of revenue, abolition of begar, and social boycott of oppressive landlords.

Detailed Explanation

The conditions for peasants were dire; they were forced into unpaid labor and faced regular eviction without any rights to possess the land they used. In response, they called for a decrease in taxes, the elimination of forced labor, and sought to ostracize landlords from community services to protest against their exploitative practices.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a scenario where tenants who farm a piece of land are compelled to work without wages and can be kicked out at any moment. In this situation, they would naturally unite to demand fair wages, job security, and a support system from their community, similar to how these peasants sought justice.

Unity and Leadership in the Peasant Movement

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In many places nai – dhobi bandhs were organised by panchayats to deprive landlords of the services of even barbers and washermen. In June 1920, Jawaharlal Nehru began going around the villages in Awadh, talking to the villagers, and trying to understand their grievances. By October, the Oudh Kisan Sabha was set up headed by Jawaharlal Nehru, Baba Ramchandra and a few others.

Detailed Explanation

Local councils, or panchayats, played a crucial role in supporting the rebellion by organizing community-wide efforts to stop landlords from receiving traditional services. Jawaharlal Nehru actively engaged with the peasants to address their struggles, leading to the formation of the Oudh Kisan Sabha, which united the farmers under a single leadership to strengthen their cause.

Examples & Analogies

This is like a community gathering to support one of its own who is facing unfair treatment. Leaders rally community members to withdraw support from those exploiting the farmer, illustrating how one strong voice can lead to collective action.

Violence and Exploitation in the Movement

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The peasant movement, however, developed in forms that the Congress leadership was unhappy with. As the movement spread in 1921, the houses of talukdars and merchants were attacked, bazaars were looted, and grain hoards were taken over. Local leaders told peasants that Gandhiji had declared that no taxes were to be paid and land was to be redistributed among the poor.

Detailed Explanation

As the Non-Cooperation Movement gained traction in rural areas, the peasants' actions became more radical, leading to property damage and unrest. Misinterpretations of Gandhiji's peaceful teachings led to violent outbursts, straying from the principles of non-violence that Congress espoused.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a protest that starts peacefully but escalates into vandalism, where strikers begin attacking businesses instead of just calling for change. This mirrors the reaction of some peasants who took radical steps, believing they were justified by a misrepresentation of a peaceful leader’s ideals.

Tribal Rebellion in Andhra Pradesh

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Tribal peasants interpreted the message of Mahatma Gandhi and the idea of swaraj in yet another way. In the Gudem Hills of Andhra Pradesh, for instance, a militant guerrilla movement spread in the early 1920s – not a form of struggle that the Congress could approve.

Detailed Explanation

Tribal groups, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, took Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of independence in a different direction, opting for radical resistance. Unlike the primarily peaceful approach of the Congress leadership, these groups engaged in armed revolt against colonial authorities, reflecting their unique frustrations and struggles.

Examples & Analogies

Think of different ways people respond to an injustice—some might march peacefully, while others take up arms for what they believe in. The Gudem Hill tribes represent this latter reaction, demonstrating how diverse interpretations can arise from the same call for freedom.

Understanding Swaraj

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When the government began forcing them to contribute begar for road building, the hill people revolted. The person who came to lead them was an interesting figure. Alluri Sitaram Raju claimed that he had a variety of special powers: he could make correct astrological predictions and heal people, and he could survive even bullet shots.

Detailed Explanation

Alluri Sitaram Raju emerged as a charismatic leader among the Gudem tribes, rallying them not just with promises but also with claims of supernatural abilities. This notion of swaraj was more aggressive, focusing on armed struggle rather than peaceful negotiation, appealing to the local myths and spiritual beliefs of the tribes.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a local leader in modern times who can inspire their community not just through political ideals but by tapping into cultural narratives and stories—much like Raju did in his community. People resonate with such leaders, especially when facing oppression.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Peasant Movements: The organization of peasants against exploitative practices.

  • Tribal Resistance: The reaction of tribes to colonial rule and their struggle for land rights.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • The Awadh peasant movement led by Baba Ramchandra aimed for lower rents and an end to begar.

  • Alluri Sitarama Raju's armed resistance in the Gudem Hills represents a tribal interpretation of swaraj.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Begar means no pay, it's work that won't stay. Peasants fight with pride, in movements they abide.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once in Awadh, the peasants rose up against the oppressive landlords—guided by Baba Ramchandra they sought to reclaim their rights to land and freedom.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • P-C-T: Peasant - Community - Tribe.

🎯 Super Acronyms

S.O.C. - Swaraj, Opposition, Claim.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Begar

    Definition:

    Labor that villagers were forced to contribute without payment.

  • Term: Swaraj

    Definition:

    Self-rule or independence; the right to govern oneself.

  • Term: Satyagraha

    Definition:

    A method of non-violent resistance based on truth and moral force.