Important civil uprisings before 1857

Published on 03 Oct 2025

Sanyasi Rebellion:

Led by a group of Sanyasis that belonged to the Dasnami sect in eastern India against the foreign rule. It is also called the Fakir rebellion due to the participation of sufi saints that belonged to the Madariya group.

Causes: The famine of 1770 coupled with harsh economic oppression such as permanent settlement of 1793, led to resentment against foreign rule.
Outcome: They ran a parallel government in a few parts of Eastern India led by Majnum Shah and others. But this was largely short lived as the might of British oppression suppressed it.

Moamaria Rebellion:

Moamariyas are a religious group of low caste peasants who followed the teachings of Aniruddhadeva.

Causes: Due to the changing social system whereby the existing Paik system could not retain relevance with the rise of Sattras.
Outcome: The revolt was targeted at the Ahom kings of Assam. Even though they were able to suppress the revolt, it destabilised the region, opening it to invasions.

Poligar’s Revolt (1795-1805):

Poligar or Palayakargal are a ruling class of landed aristocrats in south India who showed resistance to British yolk due to their draconian policies.
It had three phases, led by Kattabomma Nayakan and the Maruthu Pandian brothers, among others.
The second Poligar revolt is known as South Indian Rebellion owing to its large scale participation.

Paika Rebellion (1817):

Paika, a traditional infantry on foot under Rajah of Odisha, lost their privileges when the British captured the territory which led to resentment.
The able leadership of Bakshi Jagbandhu Bidyadhar of Paikas were joined by the Khonds who displayed joint resistance against British discriminatory policies.
Important Peasant Uprisings before 1857
Mopla Rebellion (1836-1941)
- Moplahs were Muslims in the Malabar region who claimed to be descendants of Arab traders who settled there and were largely landless labourers.
- Cause: The Oppression of Hindu landed class primarily constituting Brahmins and Nairs was the main cause of discontent.
- Outcome: The Capture of Malabar by Tipu and Haider led to the exodus of Hindu landed class who sought refuge in neighbouring states and consequently gave land titles to Moplahs.
- The recapture of Malabar by the British led to reinstatement of Hindus as the sole owners of the land and the subjugation of Muslim tenants which led to renewed riots.