Bengal Tenancy Movement (1885): A Peasant Collective Struggle

 

Bengal Tenancy Movement (1885): A Peasant Collective Struggle

The Bengal Tenancy Movement of 1885 was a significant chapter in India’s agrarian history, marked by the collective resistance of peasants against the oppressive practices of zamindars (landlords) under British colonial rule. Unlike movements led by prominent individuals, this uprising was driven by the unified strength of peasant communities, particularly in Bengal’s rural heartlands. It culminated in the enactment of the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885, a landmark legislation that aimed to protect tenant rights. This set of notes explores the reasons for the movement’s inception, its course, and its results, presented in simple, clear, and engaging language to meet competitive exam standards.

Introduction: A Cry for Justice

In the late 19th century, Bengal’s countryside was a land of toil and hardship for peasants. The Permanent Settlement of 1793, introduced by the British, had transformed the agrarian landscape by granting zamindars absolute ownership of land. While zamindars grew wealthy, the tenants (raiyats) and under-tenants (bargadars) faced exploitation through high rents, illegal taxes, and evictions. The Bengal Tenancy Movement was not the work of a single leader but a collective awakening of peasants who refused to endure injustice any longer. Their unity and determination shook the foundations of the colonial system, leading to reforms that reshaped landlord-tenant relations.

This movement, centered in districts like Pabna, Sirajganj, and other parts of Eastern Bengal, was a response to years of suffering. It was a demand for fairness, dignity, and the recognition of customary rights. The movement’s legacy lies in its ability to bring about the Bengal Tenancy Act, a law that offered hope to millions of tenants.

Reasons for the Inception of the Movement

The Bengal Tenancy Movement was born out of deep-rooted grievances that pushed peasants to unite and resist. Here are the key reasons that sparked this collective struggle:

Oppressive Zamindari System:
The Permanent Settlement of 1793 gave zamindars unchecked power over land and tenants. They imposed exorbitant rents, often beyond customary rates, and demanded illegal cesses (abwabs) such as fees for festivals or personal events. Tenants were forced to pay these dues regardless of poor harvests or famines, plunging them into debt and poverty. The zamindars’ refusal to recognize tenants’ customary rights to land occupancy fueled resentment.

Denial of Occupancy Rights:
Under Act X of 1859, tenants who held land for 12 years and paid rent were entitled to occupancy rights, which protected them from arbitrary evictions. However, zamindars manipulated this law, frequently evicting tenants before they could claim these rights or refusing to acknowledge their tenancy. This left peasants vulnerable and without legal recourse.

Economic Hardships and Famines:
The 1870s were a period of economic distress in Bengal. The Bengal famine of 1873–74, triggered by monsoon failures and crop shortages, left peasants starving. Despite these hardships, zamindars continued to demand high rents and taxes, showing no mercy. The growing demand for jute in international markets led to increased land pressure, but tenants saw little benefit as zamindars pocketed the profits.

Rise of an Intermediate Landed Class:
The emergence of a new class of lesser landlords, such as chowdhurys and taluqdars, complicated the agrarian structure. These intermediaries, not covered by the Permanent Settlement, often acted as sub-landlords, collecting rents and cesses from tenants and passing a portion to zamindars. Their exploitative practices added another layer of burden on peasants.

Support from Intellectuals and Media:
The Bengali intelligentsia, including figures like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, R.C. Dutt, and Surendranath Banerjea of the Indian Association, played a crucial role in amplifying peasant grievances. Journalists and writers, such as Harish Chandra Mukherjee in The Hindu Patriot and Dinabandhu Mitra in his play Nil Darpan, exposed the plight of tenants, inspiring collective action. This intellectual support gave peasants confidence to organize and resist.

Success of Earlier Movements:
The Indigo Revolt of 1859–60, where peasants successfully resisted forced indigo cultivation, set a powerful example. The government’s response to that movement, including the Indigo Commission, showed that collective action could yield results. This encouraged peasants in Bengal to form agrarian leagues and challenge zamindari oppression.

These factors created a perfect storm of discontent, uniting peasants across caste and religious lines—Hindus and Muslims alike—in a shared fight for justice.

Course of the Movement

The Bengal Tenancy Movement was a well-organized, largely non-violent struggle that unfolded over several years, with its peak in the 1870s and early 1880s. It was characterized by collective action, legal resistance, and mass mobilization. Here’s how the movement progressed:

Formation of Agrarian Leagues (1873):
The movement gained momentum in May 1873 with the establishment of the Agrarian League in Yusufshahi Pargana, Pabna district. Led by local leaders like Ishan Chandra Roy, the league united peasants to resist zamindari oppression. Similar organizations sprang up in Sirajganj and other parts of Eastern Bengal, creating a network of peasant solidarity. These leagues raised funds, organized rent strikes, and provided legal support to tenants facing eviction.

Rent Strikes and Legal Resistance:
Peasants adopted non-violent strategies, such as refusing to pay enhanced rents or illegal cesses. They declared certain parganas (administrative units) free from zamindari control and set up local peasant-led governments. These “rebel governments” had their own “armies” of volunteers to protect tenants from zamindari enforcers (lathials). The peasants also pursued legal battles, filing cases against zamindars in courts with the help of sympathetic lawyers and intellectuals.

Spread Across Bengal:
The movement began in Pabna but quickly spread to other districts, including Patna, Mymensingh, and Dacca. The unity of Hindu and Muslim peasants was a hallmark of the uprising, making it a broad-based struggle. The peasants’ disciplined approach—relying on mass meetings, petitions, and strikes rather than violence—made it difficult for the colonial authorities to suppress the movement outright.

Role of Intellectuals and Media:
The Bengali intelligentsia played a pivotal role in sustaining the movement. They drafted memoranda outlining peasant grievances, organized public meetings, and ran newspaper campaigns to highlight the injustices faced by tenants. Publications like The Hindu Patriot and plays like Nil Darpan stirred public opinion, putting pressure on the British administration to act.

Government Intervention:
As the movement threatened public order, the British authorities were forced to respond. In July 1873, Sir George Campbell, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, assured peasants of government support against excessive zamindari demands. He advised zamindars to pursue rent collection through legal means only. However, the unrest continued, as zamindars resisted these directives. The colonial government, alarmed by the scale of the movement, appointed a Rent Commission in 1880 to investigate landlord-tenant relations and recommend reforms.

Climax and Decline:
The movement reached its peak in the early 1880s, with widespread rent strikes and legal battles. However, by the mid-1870s, a combination of government interventions, including police action and famine relief measures, began to weaken the uprising. The enactment of the Bengal Tenancy Act in 1885 addressed some of the peasants’ demands, leading to a gradual decline in the movement’s intensity. Despite this, the spirit of resistance continued to inspire later agrarian struggles.

The movement’s course was marked by its non-violent nature, collective leadership, and strategic use of legal and public platforms, making it a model for future peasant uprisings.

Results of the Movement

The Bengal Tenancy Movement left a lasting impact on Bengal’s agrarian landscape and India’s broader struggle against colonial exploitation. Its outcomes were both immediate and long-term, shaping landlord-tenant relations and inspiring future movements. Here are the key results:

Enactment of the Bengal Tenancy Act (1885):
The most significant outcome was the passage of the Bengal Tenancy Act in 1885, enacted by the Bengal Legislative Council based on the Rent Commission’s recommendations. The act defined the rights and obligations of zamindars, intermediate tenants (jotedars), and raiyats (tenants). Key provisions included:

Occupancy Rights: Tenants who held land for 12 years in the same village were granted occupancy rights, protecting them from arbitrary evictions.

Regulation of Rents: The act restricted zamindars’ ability to impose illegal cesses (abwabs) and limited rent increases to customary rates.

Legal Protections: Tenants gained the right to seek legal redress against unfair practices, strengthening their position against zamindars.
While the act did not abolish the zamindari system, it provided significant relief to tenants and marked a victory for the peasant collective.

Reduction in Zamindari Exploitation:
The movement forced zamindars to negotiate with tenants and reduce illegal cesses and excessive rents. The collective action of peasants, backed by legal reforms, weakened the zamindars’ unchecked power, creating a more balanced landlord-tenant relationship.

Strengthening Peasant Solidarity:
The movement fostered a sense of unity among peasants, transcending religious and social divides. The formation of agrarian leagues and peasant organizations demonstrated the power of collective action, inspiring future movements like the Tebhaga Movement (1946–47). The non-violent strategies of the Bengal Tenancy Movement became a blueprint for later agrarian struggles.

Influence on Nationalist Movements:
The movement’s success drew the attention of Indian nationalist leaders, who began incorporating agrarian issues into the broader fight against British rule. The support of intellectuals like Surendranath Banerjea and organizations like the Indian Association laid the groundwork for the Indian National Congress, founded in 1885. The movement showed that peasant grievances could be a powerful force in challenging colonial authority.

Limitations and Unresolved Issues:
Despite its achievements, the Bengal Tenancy Act had limitations. It failed to address the rights of under-raiyats (bargadars, kurfa, etc.), who remained vulnerable to exploitation. The act was also diluted by amendments influenced by zamindari interests, particularly in the Bengal Tenancy (Amendment) Act of 1928. These shortcomings led to continued agrarian unrest in later decades.

Long-Term Impact:
The movement raised awareness of tenants’ legal rights and encouraged peasants to assert them in courts and public forums. It eroded the power of the landed elite and contributed to the transformation of Bengal’s agrarian structure. The Bengal Tenancy Act served as a model for tenancy reforms in other parts of India, such as the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience

The Bengal Tenancy Movement of 1885 was a shining example of the power of collective action. Without a single towering leader, it was the courage, unity, and determination of ordinary peasants that drove this struggle. Born out of the pain of exploitation, famine, and injustice, the movement forced the British colonial government to listen to the voices of the oppressed. The Bengal Tenancy Act, though not perfect, was a beacon of hope, offering tenants legal protections and a sense of dignity.

The movement’s legacy extends beyond its immediate outcomes. It inspired generations of peasants to fight for their rights and showed that even the humblest voices, when united, could challenge mighty systems. For students preparing for competitive exams, the Bengal Tenancy Movement is a reminder of the strength of collective resistance and the importance of agrarian issues in India’s history. Its story continues to resonate, teaching us that justice is won through perseverance and solidarity.