Peasants Movement before 1857

Now we turn to the early peasant uprisings before 1857, which laid the foundation for agrarian discontent in colonial India. Unlike tribal revolts, these were struggles rooted in land, rent, and revenue exploitation, but often carried a religious colouring because leaders drew inspiration from faith to mobilise people. Let’s study them one by one.

1. Narkelberia Uprising (1831)

Leader: Titu Mir (Syed Mir Nisar Ali)

• A peasant leader from North 24 Parganas (Bengal).
• Refused to pay enhanced taxes imposed on poor peasants.

Nature of the Revolt

• Organised peasants and artisans against oppressive zamindars (both Hindu and Muslim).
• First armed peasant uprising against the British.

Religious Tinge

• Titu Mir adopted Wahhabism and preached a strict Sharia-based lifestyle, rejecting folk traditions of Islam in Bengal.
• Since most rebels were poor Muslims and many zamindars were Hindus, the agrarian struggle took on a communal tone.

Outcome

• In November 1831, zamindars and Company forces combined to suppress the revolt.
• Titu Mir was killed in battle.

👉 Significance: Marked the first major armed peasant resistance against colonial rule in Bengal.

2. Pagal Panthi Movement (1825–1833)

Origins

• Founded by Karim Shah in northern Bengal (Mymensingh region).
• A religio-social sect, attracting both Hindus and Muslims.
• Preached equality of mankind, unity, and brotherhood — followers addressed each other as Bhai-Saheb.

Why called “Pagal”?

• Locals found their behaviour and ascetic practices unusual and labelled them “Pagal” (mad).

Leadership of Tipu Shah (after 1813)

• Movement shifted from spiritual preaching to active peasant resistance.
• Pagals, joined by peasants, fought against zamindars and Company forces to protect cultivators from extortion.

Outcome

• In 1833, Tipu Shah was captured along with followers.
• However, their resistance forced the government to reduce rent rates in some areas — a small but real victory.

👉 Significance: A religio-peasant movement that fought against both zamindars and Company oppression, blending reformist ideals with agrarian struggle.

3. Faraizi Movement / Disturbance (1838–1857)

Founders

• Initiated by Haji Shariatullah of Faridpur (Bengal).
• After his death, led by his son Dudu Miyan.

Beliefs

• Advocated Faraiz (obligatory duties of Islam) → hence the name.
• Preached egalitarianism:
  • All men are equal.
  • Land belongs to God.
  • Therefore, no one has the right to levy tax on it.

Activities

• Built a strong following among poor peasants.
• Established parallel village administration and courts to resolve disputes.
• Protected peasants from zamindars’ excesses.
• Encouraged peasants not to pay taxes to zamindars.
• Attacked zamindars’ estates, burnt indigo factories.

Outcome

• British and zamindars jointly suppressed the movement.
• Dudu Miyan was arrested and imprisoned.

👉 Significance: Combined religious reform with agrarian struggle, building a parallel authority that directly challenged both zamindars and Company rule.

4. Mappila Uprisings (1836–1854)

Who were the Mappilas?

• Muslims of Malabar region (Kerala).
• Descendants of Arab traders and local converts.
• Social composition: cultivating tenants, landless labourers, fishermen, traders.

Causes of Discontent

• Harsh land revenue settlements introduced by the British.
• Oppression by landlords (mainly upper-caste Hindus supported by the Company).
• Religious leaders reinforced solidarity, combining Islamic reform with anti-British mobilisation.

Course

• Between 1836 and 1854, Malabar saw around 22 uprisings.
• Revolts were mostly localised, led by poorer sections of the community.
• Targets: British officials, landlords, moneylenders, and collaborators.

Nature

• Agrarian grievances often overlapped with religious fervour, giving the uprisings a dual character.

👉 Significance: The Mappila uprisings represent one of the longest series of localized agrarian revolts, showing deep-rooted anger against both the colonial system and landlord exploitation.

✅ Summary of Pre-1857 Peasant Movements

• Narkelberia (1831): First armed peasant uprising, religious tinge via Wahhabism.
• Pagal Panthi (1825–33): Egalitarian sect, fought zamindars and Company, forced rent reduction.
• Faraizi (1838–57): Egalitarian, parallel administration, religious reform linked to agrarian struggle.
• Mappila Uprisings (1836–54): Series of 22 revolts, agrarian + religious, against landlords and British.

✅ Together, these early peasant movements show us that economic exploitation was the core issue, but mobilisation often took place through religious idioms, because that was the most powerful way to unite peasants emotionally and socially.