Peasant, Working Class and Left Movements in 20th Century India

1.Write a note on the ‘Eka’ movement.

 Answer: During the non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi (1921-22), the peasant uprising that occurred in the regions of Hardoi, Barabanki, Sitapur, Baraich, etc., of the United Provinces is known in history as the ‘Eka’ or Unity Movement.

Naming: During the movement, the peasants took a vow to remain united under all circumstances. Hence, the movement was named accordingly.

Causes: Excessive taxation of 50% on peasants, oppression for non-payment, land confiscation, and the practice of forced labor led the peasants to revolt.

Leadership: A leader from an underprivileged community named Madari Pasi was the main driving force behind the movement. Besides him, Baba Garibdas and others were associated with this movement.

Oath: Under the leadership of Madari Pasi, peasants from underprivileged communities flocked to this movement. Through recitation of mantras and religious ceremonies, the peasants took an oath that – (i) They would not pay any extra ‘dono’ tax besides the fixed revenue at the stipulated time. (ii) They would not leave the land even if evicted. (iii) They would not pay revenue without a receipt. (iv) They would pay revenue in cash, not in kind. (v) They would not perform forced labor on the landlords’ land. (vi) Village disputes would be resolved through the panchayat, and (vii) Peasants would maintain unity in all spheres.

Role of the National Congress: Although Congress leaders were involved in the initial phase of the movement, the Congress withdrew from the movement as it gradually turned violent.

Revolutionary Activities: The movement gradually took an armed form. The houses and farms of landlords and talukdars were attacked, and thousands of miles of reserved forests in the Kumaon region were set on fire. Madari Pasi also incited his followers to assassinate the local district magistrate.

End: Alarmed by the widespread nature of the movement, the British government took steps to suppress the movement through a harsh policy. Finally, the British government suppressed this rebellion in June 1922 with the arrest of Madari Pasi and the brutal killing of his followers.

Commentary: Despite its failure, the ‘Eka’ movement holds a distinct place among the countless peasant rebellions of India.

2.How did the peasant society participate in the non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement? 

Answer: The overall and spontaneous participation of the peasant society was an important feature of the non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement.

All-India Participation of Peasant Society in the Non-Violent Non-Cooperation Movement:

Bengal: Inspired by Gandhi’s mantra of Non-Cooperation, the peasant society of Bengal plunged into the movement. (a) In 1921 AD, an anti-Union Board movement began in the Contai and Tamluk subdivisions of Medinipur under the leadership of Birendranath Sasmal. (b) In 1921-22 AD, government land surveys were obstructed in Pabna, Bogra, and Birbhum. Jitendralal Bandyopadhyay led this movement in Birbhum. (c) Someshwar Prasad Chowdhury led the movement against indigo cultivation in Rajshahi. (d) The participation of Muslim peasants in Comilla, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Dinajpur strengthened the non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement.

Uttar Pradesh: (a) During the non-violent Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi, the peasant uprising that occurred in the regions of Hardoi, Barabanki, Sitapur, Baraich, etc., of the United Provinces is known in history as the ‘Eka’ or Unity Movement. During the movement, the peasants took a vow to remain united under all circumstances. Hence, the movement was named accordingly. A leader from an underprivileged community named Madari Pasi was the main driving force behind the movement.

(b) Around 1920 AD, a peasant uprising occurred in the Pratapgarh and Raebareli regions of the United Provinces under the leadership of a sanyasi named Baba Ramchandra. In the same year, Baba Ramchandra established the Oudh Kisan Sabha in Pratapgarh. Under the pressure of the movement, the government was forced to pass the ‘Oudh Rent Act’ in 1921 AD, slightly reducing the tax burden.

Bihar: In 1919-20 AD, a peasant rebellion began against the Maharaja of Darbhanga across a vast area of Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Purnia, and Munger in Bihar.

Rajasthan: (a) Against various cesses and feudal exploitation, the peasant movement intensified in the Bijolia region of Mewar during the Non-Cooperation period under the leadership of Vijay Singh Pathik and Maniklal Verma. The agitators were able to achieve some of their demands in 1922 AD. (b) In 1921-22 AD, Motilal Tejawat organized the Bhils and other tribals of Mewar and joined the movement.

South India: (a) Poor tribal farmers belonging to the Palnad Taluk of Guntur district and the Rayachoti Taluk of Cuddapah district organized a forest satyagraha to protect their forest rights. (b) The most widespread and horrific peasant movement in South India during the Non-Cooperation Movement took place in 1921 AD on the Malabar Coast, which is known as the Moplah Rebellion. Although in many cases this rebellion turned into Hindu-Muslim riots, its core character was anti-feudal.

Commentary: From the time of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the peasant movement truly became an integral part of the Indian independence movement.