Question

Write a note on the farmers' protest during the national freedom struggle.

Answer 1

Instructions:
Mention the following points while answering question

1. The ideology behind the farmers’ protest
2. Influence of Mahatma Gandhi
3. Objectives of the struggle
4. Examples of farmers’ protest

Solution: During the British administrations, many farmers rebelled against the British planters and Zamindars. Some of these were influenced by the congress, and some were influenced by the Marxist ideologies.

Gandhiji’s influence was visible in activities in Champaranya, Khedha and other places where the farmers organised themselves and protested. Farmers of Tebhaga, Malabar and other places revolted against the British and Zamindars under the influence of the Congress. The issues of the farmers intermingled with the problems focused on in movements like Tax refusal, Quit India movement etc.

Many of the protests were organised by the Kisan Sabha which was influenced by leftist ideologies. Sometimes they were in favour of the Congress and sometimes opposed them.

Few examples: In Telangana, farmers protested against the Zamindars and Nizam’s Razacks. The farmers of Bengal rose against the Zamindars. In Maharashtra farmers protested against low wages.