Question

What were the causes that led to the peasant uprising in 1920s and 1930s?

Answer 1

1. Excessive Taxation and Economic Exploitation: Peasants had to pay many taxes and didn’t have much or any right to live on land. The tough economic times got worse when the prices of basic things went up.
2. Fear of Eviction and Landlord Oppression: Landlords often harmed peasants by evicting them whenever they wanted and putting them through different kinds of abuse, with little help from the government.
3. Inspiration from the Non-Cooperation Movement: The 1920 Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi encouraged peasants to resist colonial and landlord oppression, sparking widespread unrest, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
4. Formation of Kisan Sabhas: In the 1920s, local groups of farmers got together to form what became the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) in 1936. This group, which was led by people like Swami Sahajananda Saraswati, made clear requests, such as ending the zamindari system, redistributing land, cancelling debts, and improving irrigation.
5. Lack of Support from Congress Leadership: Although the peasant movements had some support from left-leaning Congress members and Socialists, the mainstream Congress leadership often resisted radical reforms like zamindari abolition, leading to tensions between the two.