RESISTANT MOVEMENTS POST 1857

Published on 05 Oct 2025

Before 1857, resistance movements were largely localised, sporadic, and often driven by grievances against British policies which led to a passionate yet short-lived display of resistance. This was largely ineffective as the military might of the British was too overwhelming for the resistance.

However, after the revolt, there was a more concerted effort to organise and unify resistance against British colonial rule on a larger scale.

Characteristic Changes in Resistance Post-1857 Environment

• Unified nationalistic struggle: Ignoring the geographic and cultural divides, an increasingly strong sense of Indian nationalism made possible a unified resistance.

• Example: In the Lucknow session (1916), Congress and Muslim League kept the differences aside to float a unified action plan for the Indian freedom struggle.

• Organisational Structure: Resistance movements developed a stronger sense of structure and organisation. Nationalist groups gave Indians a forum to air their complaints and demand political rights.

• Example: One such group was the Indian National Congress (INC), established in 1885.

• Non-violent Protest: Inspired by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, there was a shift away from violent protest, to legal and constitutional measures stemming from the values of non-violence. 

• Example: The use of non-cooperation, civil disobedience, and other nonviolent tactics became crucial in the independence movement.

• Political Mobilisation: The importance of political engagement and mobilisation of the public was emphasised more. Indians requested more political autonomy and representation in legislative bodies

• Example: Mass participation was a quintessential factor in post-1857 movements such as Swadeshi movement and Gandhian struggle.

• Unity Among Diverse Groups: The fight against British rule brought together a number of social, linguistic, and religious groups, highlighting unity in diversity.

• International Support: After 1857, the international attention on the perils of Indians under colonisers found prominence, especially during the rising importance of human rights and decolonisation.

• Example:  Subhash Chandra Bose forming Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese support during 2nd World War.

Features of people resistance post 1857

• Localized and Sporadic Nature: Unlike the widespread nature of the 1857 Revolt, post-1857 peasant movements were mostly localized, addressing specific regional issues and grievances.

• Example: The Indigo Rebellion (1859-60) was concentrated in Bengal, while the Deccan Riots (1875) were primarily in Maharashtra.

• Economic Exploitation and High Taxation: A common cause was the economic exploitation by landlords and the high taxes imposed by the British government, often irrespective of the peasants' ability to pay.

• Example: Movements like the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) were driven by the inability of peasants to pay taxes due to crop failures.

• Leadership and Organization: Many movements were led by local leaders and sometimes supported by nationalist leaders, who organized the peasants and provided strategic direction.

• Example: Mahatma Gandhi’s involvement in the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) and Kheda Satyagraha (1918) helped in organizing the peasants and gaining national attention.

• Non-violent and Violent Protests: The nature of protests varied from non-violent methods such as satyagraha to violent uprisings against landlords and colonial authorities.

• Example: The Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was non-violent, whereas the Moplah Rebellion (1921) involved violent confrontations.

• Role of Political and Social Organizations: Political and social organizations played a significant role in mobilizing peasants and providing a platform for their demands.

• Example: The All-India Kisan Sabha, formed in 1936, coordinated peasant movements and articulated agrarian demands at a national level.

• Demand for Land Reforms: A central demand in many movements was the redistribution of land and the abolition of exploitative systems like zamindari and sharecropping.

• Example: The Tebhaga Movement (1946-47) in Bengal demanded a two-thirds share of the produce for sharecroppers.

• Impact of Nationalist Movement: The broader Indian nationalist movement influenced peasant movements, as peasants began to see their struggles as part of the larger fight against colonial rule.

• Example: The participation of peasants in the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) and the Quit India Movement (1942).

Overall, the post-1857 period witnessed a transformation in the nature of resistance movements, marked by a more organized, unified, and ideologically driven struggle against British colonialism in India. 

Peasant Movements Post-1857 

Changes witnessed in the peasant movements 

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
RESISTANT MOVEMENTS POST 1857 Characteristic Changes in Resistance Post-1857 Environment Lucknow session 1916 Indian National Congress INC Mahatma Gandhi Non-violent Protest non-cooperation civil disobedience Subhash Chandra Bose indian national army INA Features of people resistance post 1857 Indigo Rebellion Deccan Riot Kheda Satyagraha Champaran Satyagraha Bardoli Satyagraha patel All India Kisan Sabha Tebhaga Movement Quit India Movement Civil Resistance Post-1857

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Freedom Struggle