Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement (1920–1922): A Peasant Uprising for Justice

Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement (1920–1922): A Peasant Uprising for Justice

The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement (1920–1922) was a significant peasant uprising in the Awadh region of the United Provinces (modern-day Uttar Pradesh, India) during India’s struggle for independence. Led by inspiring figures like Baba Ramchandra and later influenced by grassroots leaders like Madari Pasi, this movement was a powerful expression of peasant resistance against oppressive landlords and colonial policies. It brought to light the hardships faced by farmers and played a key role in shaping the broader freedom movement. This note provides a detailed and engaging account of the movement, covering its reasons, course, and results, written in simple yet captivating language to meet competitive exam standards.

Introduction: A Cry for Justice

In the early 20th century, the Awadh region was a land of lush fields but also of deep suffering. Farmers, who toiled day and night, were crushed under the weight of unfair taxes, high rents, and forced labor. The taluqdars (big landlords) and British colonial rulers exploited the peasants, leaving them with little hope for a better life. The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement was born out of this despair, as peasants united to demand dignity, fairness, and freedom. At its heart were two remarkable leaders: Baba Ramchandra, a charismatic sanyasi with a vision for justice, and Madari Pasi, a fearless low-caste leader who gave the movement a bold, grassroots spirit. This movement was not just a protest; it was a spark that lit the fire of resistance across rural India.

Reasons for the Inception of the Movement

The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement was a response to the unbearable conditions faced by peasants in Awadh. Several factors came together to ignite this uprising:

Oppressive Taluqdari System: After the 1857 Revolt, the British restored the lands of Awadh’s taluqdars, strengthening their control over the region’s agrarian society. These landlords imposed exorbitant rents, often 50% higher than recorded rates, and demanded illegal levies like nazrana (renewal fees). Peasants faced summary evictions (bedakhali) and had no security of tenure, making it impossible for them to claim rights over the land they tilled.

Economic Hardships Post-World War I: The First World War (1914–1918) caused a sharp rise in the prices of food and essentials. While landlords and merchants profited, peasants struggled to afford basic necessities. The economic strain pushed them to the brink, making them ready to challenge the system.

Forced Labor and Exploitation: Peasants were forced to perform hari and begar, forms of unpaid labor, on the estates of landlords. They worked without wages, often under harsh conditions, to maintain the fields or homes of taluqdars. This practice stripped them of dignity and fueled their anger.

Influence of Nationalist Ideas: The early 20th century saw the rise of nationalist movements like the Home Rule League and the Non-Cooperation Movement. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi inspired peasants to see their struggle as part of the larger fight for freedom. The United Provinces Kisan Sabha, formed in 1918 by Gauri Shankar Mishra and Indra Narayan Dwivedi, laid the groundwork for peasant organization in Awadh.

Leadership of Baba Ramchandra: Baba Ramchandra, a sanyasi who had worked as an indentured laborer in Fiji, emerged as a beacon of hope. His experiences abroad gave him a deep understanding of exploitation, and his use of Ramayana recitations to connect with peasants made him a beloved leader. He mobilized farmers to fight for their rights, giving the movement a strong foundation.

These reasons created a perfect storm, urging peasants to rise against injustice and form the Awadh Kisan Sabha in 1920.

Course of the Movement

The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement unfolded in stages, evolving from peaceful mobilization to intense protests and, later, a more radical phase influenced by grassroots leaders like Madari Pasi. Here’s a detailed look at its journey:

1. Formation of the Awadh Kisan Sabha (October 1920)

In June 1920, Baba Ramchandra invited Jawaharlal Nehru to visit Awadh’s villages and witness the peasants’ plight. Nehru’s visits built strong ties with the farmers and brought national attention to their cause.

By October 1920, differences among nationalist leaders led to the formation of the Awadh Kisan Sabha in the village of Roor, Pratapgarh. Baba Ramchandra, Nehru, Jhinguri Singh, and Durgapal Singh were key figures in its establishment.

The Sabha grew rapidly, setting up over 300 branches across Awadh within a month. It urged peasants to:

Refuse to till bedakhali land (evicted land).

Stop performing hari and begar (unpaid labor).

Boycott landlords who refused these demands.

Resolve disputes through village panchayats.

2. Early Mobilization and Demands

Baba Ramchandra’s leadership was unique. He used religious symbolism, reciting the Ramayana to inspire peasants and framing their struggle as a fight for dharma (justice). His 14-point charter of demands included fair rents, receipts for payments, and the abolition of begar.

The movement gained momentum when Baba Ramchandra was arrested in September 1920. Over 40,000–50,000 peasants gathered in Pratapgarh to demand his release, showing the movement’s massive support.

Peasants organized nai-dhobi bandhs, a social boycott that denied landlords services like those of barbers and washermen, putting pressure on the taluqdars.

3. Shift to Radical Actions (January 1921)

By January 1921, the movement took a more militant turn. Mass meetings gave way to looting of bazaars, granaries, and homes of landlords. Clashes with the police became frequent, especially in the districts of Rai Bareilly, Faizabad, and Sultanpur.

Local leaders often invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s name, claiming he had declared no taxes would be paid and land would be redistributed. This reflected the peasants’ belief that their actions were part of the Non-Cooperation Movement, though Congress leaders disapproved of the violence.

4. Emergence of Madari Pasi and the Eka Movement

In late 1921, the movement saw the rise of the Eka Movement in northern Awadh (Hardoi, Bahraich, and Sitapur), led by Madari Pasi, a low-caste leader from the Pasi community. Unlike Baba Ramchandra, Madari Pasi was less inclined to follow the Congress’s non-violent principles.

The Eka Movement focused on high rents, thikadar (revenue officials) oppression, and share-rent practices. It included not only tenants but also small zamindars frustrated by heavy British land revenue demands.

Eka meetings were marked by religious rituals, such as digging a hole to represent the river Ganges and taking vows to pay only recorded rents, resist evictions, and follow panchayat decisions. Madari Pasi’s leadership gave the movement a strong class-based unity, cutting across caste and religious lines.

5. Decline of the Movement

The movement began to weaken in 1921–1922 due to several factors:

Government Repression: The British authorities cracked down heavily, arresting leaders and suppressing protests.

Awadh Rent (Amendment) Act 1921: This act addressed some peasant grievances, such as regulating rents, which reduced the movement’s momentum.

Congress’s Disapproval: Congress leaders like Nehru and Gandhi criticized the movement’s violent turn, especially Baba Ramchandra’s use of religious sentiments and the Eka Movement’s militancy. This reduced nationalist support.

By March 1922, severe repression ended the Eka Movement, and the broader Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement gradually faded.

Results of the Movement

The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement left a lasting impact on India’s freedom struggle and peasant activism. Its outcomes were both immediate and long-term:

Partial Relief for Peasants:

The Awadh Rent (Amendment) Act 1921 was a direct result of the movement. It regulated rents and addressed some issues like bedakhali and nazrana, offering limited relief to peasants.

The movement forced taluqdars to reconsider their harsh practices, as the nai-dhobi bandhs and boycotts hit their social and economic power.

Strengthening of Peasant Unity:

The movement united peasants across caste and class lines, with low-caste groups like the Pasis and Chamars playing a key role. Madari Pasi’s leadership in the Eka Movement showed the power of grassroots mobilization.

It inspired the formation of other Kisan Sabhas, such as the All India Kisan Sabha in 1936, led by Swami Sahajanand Saraswati.

Integration with the Freedom Struggle:

The movement linked rural grievances to the national fight for independence. Nehru’s involvement brought peasant issues to the Congress’s attention, influencing its agrarian policies.

However, the Congress’s disapproval of the movement’s radical actions highlighted tensions between urban nationalist leaders and rural activists.

Legacy of Baba Ramchandra and Madari Pasi:

Baba Ramchandra’s use of cultural tools like the Ramayana to mobilize peasants set a model for future rural movements. His 14-point charter was a bold step toward peasant rights.

Madari Pasi’s leadership in the Eka Movement gave voice to marginalized communities, showing that low-caste leaders could drive powerful change. His emphasis on class unity remains a significant legacy.

Limitations and Challenges:

The movement did not fully dismantle the taluqdari system or achieve land redistribution, as peasants had hoped.

Government repression and the Congress’s withdrawal of support limited its success, leaving many peasant demands unmet.

Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope

The Awadh Kisan Sabha Movement (1920–1922) was a shining chapter in India’s history, where ordinary farmers dared to challenge powerful landlords and colonial rulers. Baba Ramchandra’s inspiring leadership and Madari Pasi’s fearless activism gave voice to the voiceless, turning fields of oppression into battlegrounds for justice. Though the movement faced setbacks, its spirit lived on, inspiring future peasant struggles and enriching India’s fight for freedom. For students preparing for competitive exams, this movement is a reminder of the power of unity, courage, and the unbreakable will to fight for what is right.