People's Resistance 1757–1856

After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, British control expanded in India, leading to widespread discontent due to foreign intrusion, administrative restructuring, and excessive land revenue demands. This period witnessed numerous local uprisings and revolts as different regions reacted to the loss of autonomy and oppressive policies. Although these disturbances were mostly localized and lacked national consciousness, they set the stage for future organized resistance.

• Background: Following the Battle of Plassey, British economic policies devastated Bengal's zamindars, peasants, and artisans.
• Catalyst: The Great Bengal Famine of 1770 worsened conditions; restrictions on visiting holy places alienated the sanyasis (Hindu ascetics).
• Revolt: Sanyasis raided Company factories and treasuries, battling British forces.
• Suppression: Warren Hastings eventually contained the rebellion after prolonged military action.
• Cultural Impact: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel 'Anandamath' (1882) is based on this rebellion.

• Exam Tip: The Sanyasi Rebellion was made famous by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's novel Anandamath.

• Participants: Chuars, aboriginal tribesmen of Midnapore (West Bengal).
• Causes: Loss of tax-free lands and forced revenue collection by the British.
• Events: Labeled as 'Chuars' (uncivilized), they revolted at the end of the 18th century but were suppressed by British forces.

• Participants: Ho and Munda tribes of Chhotanagpur and Singbhum.
• Causes: Resentment against British intrusion and exploitation.
• Events: Challenged Company forces in 1820-22, again in 1831, with disturbances until 1837.

• Participants: Paikas, the landed militia of Odisha.
• Causes: Loss of traditional rights and exploitation by British revenue collectors.
• Leader: Bakshi Jagabandhu, hereditary Commander-in-Chief of the Rajas of Khurda.
• Events: Revolted against British rule; practiced guerrilla warfare after initial defeat.
• Outcome: Bakshi Jagabandhu surrendered in 1825; died in captivity in 1829.

• Participants: Kols of Chhotanagpur.
• Causes: Transfer of land to outsiders and exploitation.
• Events: Rebels killed about a thousand outsiders; spread to Ranchi, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamau, and Manbhum.
• Suppression: Restored after large-scale military operations.

• Background: British promised to withdraw from Assam after the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) but reneged.
• Events: In 1828, Ahoms proclaimed Gomdhar Konwar as king; plan foiled by the British.
• Outcome: Upper Assam handed over to Maharaja Purander Singh Narendra in 1833.

• Participants: Khasis led by Tirat Singh, supported by Garos, Khamptis, and Singhpos.
• Causes: British occupation and plans to build a road linking Brahmaputra valley to Sylhet.
• Events: Revolt to drive away outsiders.
• Outcome: Suppressed by superior British forces.

• Background: A semi-religious sect founded by Karam Shah in Bengal.
• Leader: Tipu, son of Karam Shah.
• Causes: Oppression by zamindars; aimed to expel British.
• Events: Captured Sherpur in 1825; area remained disturbed into the 1840s.

• Participants: Followers of a Muslim sect founded by Haji Shariatullah in Faridpur, Eastern Bengal.
• Leader: Dadu Mian, son of Shariatullah.
• Causes: Advocacy for radical changes; tenant rights against zamindars.
• Events: Disturbances from 1838 to 1857; many later joined the Wahabi movement.

• Participants: Bhils, aboriginal tribe of the Western Ghats.
• Causes: British expansion and agrarian hardships.
• Events: Revolted in 1817-19; led by Sewram in 1825, again in 1831 and 1846.
• Suppression: British forces crushed the revolts.

• Participants: Kolis, neighboring the Bhils.
• Causes: Dismantlement of forts; unemployment due to British policies.
• Events: Rebellions in 1829, 1839, and 1844-48.

• Causes: Deposition of Rao Bharmal in 1819; administrative changes and excessive land assessment.
• Events: Revolts demanding Rao Bharmal's restoration; significant disturbances in 1831.
• Outcome: British adopted a conciliatory policy.

• Participants: Wagheras of Okha Mandal (Gujarat).
• Causes: Exactions by the Gaekwad of Baroda and British support.
• Events: Carried out raids during 1818-19.
• Outcome: Peace treaty in November 1820.

• Causes: Increase in salt duty from 50 paisa to 1 rupee in 1844.
• Events: Revolt ensued; attacks on Europeans.
• Outcome: British withdrew the additional salt levy.

• Participants: Ramosis, hill tribes of the Western Ghats.
• Causes: Discontent with British rule and administration.
• Leader: Chittur Singh in 1822; Narsingrao Dattatraya Petkar in 1839.
• Events: Plundered areas around Satara; seized Fort Badami.
• Suppression: British forces restored order.

• Causes: Hardships from administrative reorganization; disbanding of the Gadkaris (hereditary military class).
• Events: Gadkaris occupied forts; similar discontent in Savantvadi.
• Outcome: British suppressed the revolts.

• Background: Post-1765, British demanded excessive tributes and disbandment of troops.
• Events: Raja revolted with popular support but was killed in 1794.
• Outcome: British reduced demands and restored the estate to his son.

• Background: Imposition of the Subsidiary Alliance on Travancore in 1805.
• Causes: Harsh treaty terms; overbearing British resident.
• Leader: Velu Thampi, the Diwan of Travancore.
• Events: Raised revolt with the Nair battalion.
• Outcome: British deployed large forces to suppress the rebellion.

• Location: Occurred in Bihar's saltpetre-producing regions: Hajipur, Tirhut, Saran, and Purnea.
• Community Involved: Led by the Nonia caste, traditionally involved in saltpetre production.
• Cause: Exploitation by the East India Company, which imposed unfair practices and low prices for saltpetre, essential for explosives.
• Outcome: The Nonia community organized a rebellion against British exploitation.

• Location: Tamar region in Jharkhand, involving tribes like Oraon, Munda, Ho, and Kol.
• Cause: British interference in traditional agricultural systems, adversely affecting tribal socio-economic conditions.
• Leadership: Led by Bhola Nath Sahay
• Outcome: Suppressed by the British in 1832; Tamar region annexed.

• Location: Palamau region.
• Cause: Imposition of Churaman as king by the Company, who levied heavy taxes, leading to exploitation of peasants and tribals.
• Leadership: Led by Sardar Bhushan Singh.
• Outcome: The revolt was quickly suppressed by the British.

• Location: Chotanagpur region.
• Cause: Resistance against British occupation of Singhbhum and exploitation by local moneylenders and zamindars.
• Leadership: Led by the Raja of Parahat.
• Outcome: Initial revolts in 1820-22, followed by another in 1831, continuing until 1837.

• Location: Singhbhum and Birbhum regions.
• Cause: Increased land revenue demands by the British and exploitation by local authorities.
• Leadership: Led by Ganga Narayan Singh.
• Outcome: Began on April 26, 1832; Ganga Narayan Singh was killed on February 7, 1833, leading to the revolt's suppression.

• Cause: The British government's decision to replace brass vessels (lotahs) with earthenware in jails offended prisoners' religious sentiments, as brass was integral to their rituals.
• Location: The movement began in the jails of Arrah and Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
• Public Reaction: A large crowd from the towns gathered and attacked the prisons in protest.
• Outcome: Facing widespread unrest, the British government reinstated the use of brass vessels in jails.

• Nature: An agrarian movement led by Christian tribal peasants, primarily the Munda and Oraon tribes, against oppressive landlords.
• Objective: Aimed to end the begari (forced labor) system and implement land reforms in agricultural practices.
• Methods: Employed peaceful means like petitions, prayers, and protests to demand justice from the colonial regime.
• Outcome: The movement laid the groundwork for subsequent tribal uprisings, including Birsa Munda's rebellion.

• Also Known As: Kherwar Movement.
• Initiator: Started by Bhagirath Manjhi among the Santhal community.
• Beliefs: Promoted the worship of a single deity and sought to reform social practices, including stopping sacrifices to 'evil bongas' (spirits).
• Political Aspiration: Bhagirath declared himself the king of the Santhals and demanded a separate Santhal state.

• Origin: Initiated by the Oraon tribe under the leadership of Jatra Bhagat.
• Nature: A religious movement considered an extension of the Birsa Movement, incorporating Hindu practices into its ideology.
• Leadership: Key figures included Jatra Bhagat, Balram Bhagat, Bhikhu Bhagat, and Shibu Bhagat.
• Objectives: Opposed foreign exploiters, landlords, and contractors; resisted British-imposed taxes; and adopted non-violence as a principle.