Peasant Agitations and Caste Movements in the 1920s

At a Glance

• Peasants United Provinces, Rampa in Andhra, Rajasthan, ryotwari Bombay and Madras
• Bardoli 1928, led by Vallabhbhai Patel
• Caste Justice Party, Self-Respect Movement 1925, Satyashodhak activists, Mahars, Ezhavas
• Nature Divisive, conservative and at times radical
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Swarajists, New Forces and Revolutionaries in the 1920s

Where Does It Fit?

This is the fourth topic of the category on the Swarajists, new forces and revolutionaries in the 1920s. The previous topic covered socialist ideas, youth activism and trade unionism. This topic covers peasant agitations and caste movements. The next topic covers revolutionary activity in Punjab, the United Provinces and Bihar. Previous topic: Spread of Socialist and Marxist Ideas, Youth Activism and Trade Unionism.

What Were the Peasant Agitations of the 1920s?

In the United Provinces, peasant agitations were for revision of tenancy laws, lower rents, protection against eviction and relief from indebtedness. Similar agitations took place in the Rampa region of Andhra, in Rajasthan, and in the ryotwari areas of Bombay and Madras. In Gujarat, the Bardoli Satyagraha was led by Vallabhbhai Patel in 1928.

Earlier peasant struggles during non-cooperation, such as the Eka movement in Uttar Pradesh, are in Spread of the Movement and People’s Response, and the later development of these movements is in Later Peasant Movements: Kisan Sabha, Eka, Mappila Revolt and Bardoli Satyagraha.

Why Did Caste Movements Arise?

As in earlier periods, the contradictions of Indian society found expression in caste associations and movements. These could be divisive, conservative and at times potentially radical.

As an analytical point, these movements differed in aim, since some sought social status and access, some sought political share in provincial politics and some tried to rework the social order, and the national movement had to deal with each in its own context. The later and wider treatment of these movements is in the later categories on social movements, and Ambedkar’s role with the Simon Commission is in Dr Ambedkar and the Simon Commission.

What Do the Differences Between Regions Show?

The agitations arose from different land systems. In the United Provinces the grievances were about tenancy, rent, eviction and debt, which are the problems of tenants. In the ryotwari areas of Bombay and Madras, the peasant held land directly from the State, so the dispute was with the State over revenue, which is what the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 in Gujarat was about. As an analytical point, this shows that the peasantry was not one class with one demand, and that the national movement could only join peasant causes by working through regional leaders such as Vallabhbhai Patel.

The caste movements added a second layer. They sought status, representation or social reform, and some of them, such as the Self-Respect Movement and the Mahars under Ambedkar, challenged the social order itself. The Unionist Party in Punjab shows that regional politics could also be organised around rural interests.

How Did These Movements Relate to the National Movement?

The 1920s saw the entry of masses into the national movement, and the peasant and caste movements show that mass politics was not a single stream. The Congress was cautious about class conflict, as the earlier discussion of the non-cooperation period shows, while peasant leaders and caste associations pursued their own concerns. Vallabhbhai Patel’s role at Bardoli also shows how a leader of the No-Changers carried his constructive work into a political struggle, linking with the work in Swarajist Activity in the Councils and the No-Changers’ Constructive Work.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Variety of movements Lists of caste and peasant movements appear in Prelims
• Bardoli 1928 A stock fact linked with Vallabhbhai Patel
• Social base of nationalism Shows how class and caste interacted with the movement

What Came Next?

The next topic describes revolutionary activity of the 1920s in Punjab, the United Provinces and Bihar. Next topic: Revolutionary Activity in Punjab, United Provinces and Bihar.

Key People and Terms

• Bardoli Satyagraha The 1928 peasant satyagraha led by Vallabhbhai Patel
• Justice Party A caste-based political party in Madras
• Self-Respect Movement Started in 1925 by Periyar
• Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker
• Unionist Party A Punjab party under Fazl-i-Hussain
• Ryotwari A land revenue system in Bombay and Madras

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions ask about the diversity of movements in the 1920s. These points add depth.

• Peasants Tenancy and revenue grievances
• Caste Status, politics and radical reform
• Relation to the Congress Parallel and sometimes divergent