List of Non tribal, Tribal and peasant

movements during British India

Name of the movement Main cause(s) Course of the
movement and consequences
Sanyasi Rebellion Displaced peasants, It was made famous by Bankim Chandra
Area: Bengal Demobilized Soldiers, Chaterjee. In his novel: Anandmath
Year: 1763-1800 disposed Zamindars,
Participated led By
Sanyasis.
Revolt of Kattambomman Attempts of the British to Defiance of the British by Kattabomman for
Area: Tirunelveli in Tamil force Katabomman to 7 years; his final capture and execution by
Nadu accept their suzerainty and the British (1779); annexation of his
Year: 1792-99 his refusal territory by the British (1779).
Leader:
Veerapandya Kattabomman
(Ruler of panchalakurichi)
Rebellion of the Paiks British Occupation of Unsuccessful attempt of the Raja of Khurd
Area: Orissa Orissa (1803); resentment to organize a rebellion with the help of the
Year: 1804-06 of the paiks (a militia class Paiks, and confiscation of his territory by
Leader: First under the Raja occupying rent free lands the British (1804) continuous unrest among
of the Khurda and later under under the zamindars) the Paiks between 1804 & 1806; rise of the
jagabandhu against British land and Paiks under Jagabandhu and their
land revenue policies occupation of Puri after defeating the
British force (1807); final suppression of
the movement by force and conciliatory
measures by British.
Revolt of Velu Thampi Financial burden imposed on Beginning of war between the two
Area: Travancore the state by the British through sides (December 1805); fall of
Year: 1805-09 the subsidiary system; the high Trivendrum (Capital of Travancore) to
Leader: Velu Thambi (Dewan handedness of the British the British (February 1809); death of
of Travancore) Resident there; and British Velu Thampi in forest due to serious
demand for the removal of injuries.
Dewan.
Revolt of Rao Bharmal Anti-British feeling due to Final defeat and deposal of Rao
Area: Cutch and Kathiawar in British expansionist policy and Bharmal; imposition of Subsidary
Gujrat their interference in internal treaty on Cutch.
Year: 1861-19 affairs of Cutch.
Leader: Rao Bharmal (Rule
off Cutch)
Revolt of Ramosis British Annexation of Peshwa’s Revolt of the Ramosis under Chittur
Area: Poona terntory(1818), resulting in Singh (1822-24); their revolt under
Year: 1822-29 large scale unemployment (Umaji (1822-24); establishment of
Leader: Chittur Singh and among Ramosis (under the peace by the British by pardoning all
Umaji Peshwa, they served in inferior the crimes of the Ramosis and also by
ranks of police) granting them lands and recruiting
them as hill police.
Kittur Rising Death of Shivalinga Rudra Revoltt of Channamma (widow of late
Area: Kittur (near dharwar in Desai (chief) of Kittur (1824), Desai) in 1824 and murder of English
Karnataka) leaving no male to recongnize officers including Thackeray
Year: 1824-29 the adopted issue; refusal of the (Collecter of Dharwar); conquest of
Leader: Channamma and
Rayappa
Sambalpur Outbreaks
Area: Sambalpur (Orissa)
Year: 1827-40
Leader: Surendra Sai
Satara disturbances
Area: Satara (Maharashtra)
Year: 1840-41
Leader: Dhar Rao Pawar and Narsing
Dattatreya Pettkar
Bundela Revolt
Area: Sagar & Damoh (Bundelkhand)
Year: 1842
Leader: Madhukar Shah and Jawahir
Singh
Gadkari Rebellion
Area: Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
Year: 1844-45
Leader: Not Available
Satavandi Revolt
Area: Satavandi (Maharashtra)
Year: 1839-45
Leader: Phond Savant-(leading noble)
and Anna Sahib (heir apparent)
Raju Rebellion
Area: Visakhapatnam (A.P.)
Year: 1827-33
British son as the Desai and
assumption of administration of
Kittur by British
Frequent interference of
British in the internal
affairs of Sambalpur such
as the issue of succession.
Deposal and banishment
of Pratap Singh, the
popular ruler of Satara by
the British
Resentment against
British land revenue
policy
Assumption of direct
administration of
Kolhapur by British and
reforms of D.K. Pandit;
resentment of the
Gadkaris (a militia class
who had earlier held
revenue free lands in
retum for their services to
the ruler against the
revenue reforms.
Deposal of Khen Savant
(ruler of satavandi) and
appointment of a British
officer to administer to
administer the state;
resentment of the people
against British system of
administration.
Birabhadra was
dispossessed of his estate
by the British in return
Kitttur and its annexation by the
British revolt of the people of Kittur
under Rayappa who declared
independence and set up the adopted
boy as the Desai (1829); capture and
execution of rayappa by British, and
death of Channamma in Dharwar
prison.
Death of Maharaja Sai (ruler) and
outbreak of civil war; succession of
Mohan Kumari (widow of the late
Raja) with the support of the British
and revolt of other claimants under
Surendra Sai; final arrest and life
imprisonment of Surendra Sai by
British (1840).
Revolt of the people of Satara under
Dhar Rao in 1840; their revolt under
Narsing and seizure of Badami in
1841; defeat and capture of Narsing
by the British ( he was transported
for life).
Revolt of the Bundelas under Shah
and Singh; murder of police officers
and disruption of British
administration; capture and
execution of madhukar Shah and
Singh by British.
Revolt of the Gadkaris, followed by
a popular revolt in the city of
Kolhapur and all other parts of the
state of Kolhapur; final suppression
of the movement by the British.
Revolt of the nobles and their
attempts to drive away the British;
transformation of the revolt into a
popular movement with the common
people all over the state rising in
arms against the British;
proclamation of martial law and
suppression of the movement by the
British.
Revolt of Birabhadra and his
defiance of British authority till he
was captured
Leader: Birabhadra Raju for a small amount of
pension
Palakonda Outbreak Attachment of the Revolt of the zamindar; suppression
Area: Palakonda (Andhra Pardesh) property of the zamindar of the revolt of forfeiture of
Year: 1831-32 for non-payment of Palakonda estate to the British
Leader: Zamindar of Palakonda revenue
Gumsur Outbreak His failure to clear the Revolt of zamindar; Appointment of
Area: Gumsur (Ganjam District) arrears of revenue to the Mr. Russel as the Commissioner;
Year: 1835-37 British final suppression of the movement
Leader: Dhananjaya Bhanja after larger scale military campaign
(Zamindar of Gumsur) in 1837
Parlakimedi Outbreak Attachment of his Revolt of the zamindar, followed
Area: Parlakimedi (Orissa) zamindari for arrears by by a popular rising of the people;
Year: 1829-35 the British in 1827 final suppression of the movement.
Leader: Jagannath Gajapti Narayan
Rao
Movement of the Faraizis (In the later Degeneration of the Foundation of the movement by
stages it was amalgamated with the Islamic society and loss of Shariattullah of Faridpur, the
Wahabi movement) power to the British movement under him was mainly
Area: East Bengal (Hence its aims were to religious in character, though he
Year: 1838-62 remove abuses from had declared British as enemies;
Leader: Shariatuallah and Muhammad Islamic society as well as his death in 1837; succession of
Mushin (bêtter known as Dudhu Mian) to resore Muslim rule by Duhu Mian as the leader of the
expelling the British from Movement, under him it became
India). mainly political in nature; his
success in mobilizing all the
Muslim peasants of East Bengal
against zamindars and indigo
planters; his arrest and confinement
in the Alipore jail.
Wahabi Movement Degeneration of Isalmic Fight of the Wahabis against the
Area: North India and Deccan society and loss of power British for 50 long years, and their
Year: 1820-70 to the British (Aims – final suppression by British after a
Leader: Saiyad Ahmad (Founder of the same as above) series of trials in the 1860s.
Movement)
Movement of Pagal panthis Resentment of the peasants Under Karam Shah (founder), It
Area: Sherpur (East Bengal) against the operession of was mainly a religious movement,
Year: 1825-33 zamindars but under tipu (son of successor of
Leader: Karam Shah and Tipu Shah) it became a political
movement against the oppressive
zamindars and British, its final
suppression by British after large
scale military operations.
Kuka Movement Degeneration of Sikh Though it started as a religious
Area: Punjab religion and loss of sikh reform movement, it became a
Year: 1854-72 sovereignty movement for the restoration of
Leader: Bhagat Jawahar Mal (founder) Sikh sovereignty after the
annexation of Punjab by the
British.
Indigo Revolt Forced cultivation off Planters could not withstand thee
Area: Bengal Indigo without any proper resistance of ryots, indigo
Year: 1859-60 remuneration cultivation virtually wiped out,
Leader: Digambar Biswas & Bishnu Govt. response restrained & not
Biswas harsh
Pabna Movement Enhanced rent Beyond the Govt. accepted the Demands &
Area: Bengal legal Limit & prevention promised to protect Tenants. It
Year: 1873 of tenants from acquiring enacted Bengal tenancy Act 1885.
the occupancy rights
Deccan Riots Riots against the Govt. repressed the Movt. It
Area: Poona & Ahmadnagar moneylenders enacted Deccan Agriculture Relief
Year: 1874 Act, 1879 to protect peasants
against the money lenders
Peasant unrest Against the acquisition of Punjab Land Alienation Act of
Area: Punjab the land by the money 1902 enacted prohibiting transfer
Year: 1901 lenders of the land from the peasants to the
money lenders & mortgages for
more 20 years.
Eka movement Enhanced rent Oppression Police managed to crush the movt
Area: Harrdoi, Bahraich, Barabanki, of the contractors
Sitapur (U.P.)
Year: 1921-22
Leader: Madari pasi
Mappila, Rebellion Cultivators of Malabar It later assumed Communal colour
Area: Malabar, Kerala revolted against the Crushed by the Govt. in 1921.
Year: 1922 moneylenders &
Zamindars against the lack
of security of tenure,
exorbitant rent and
renewal fees.
Bardoli Satyagraha Enhancement of the land Govt. tried to suppress the govt.
Area: Bardoli - Gujarat revenue by 22% even Maxwell Broomfield enquiry
Year: 1927 though cutton prices had Committee set up Govt. which
Leader: Vallabhbhai patel declined admitted Bardoli assessment was
Faulty and enhancement was Cut
down.
All India Kisan Congress Against moneylenders, A Kisan manifesto was adopted in
Area: Lucknow Zamindars, traders & Bombay session in 1937
Year: 1936 Govt.
Leader: Presided over by Swami
Shajanand
Tebhaga movement By the sharecroppers In 1950 congress passed
Area: Bengal against the Jotedar’s Bargadar’s Bill
Year: 1946 demand of ½ share
Leader: Bengal Provincial Kisan of crop instead of
Sabha 1/3 share
Bakasht Land Struggle Bakasht lands were those The movement continued till the
Area: Bihar lands which tenants had zamindari was abolished.
Year: 1938-47 lost to zamindars during
depression years by virtue
Leader: Karyanand Sharma; of non- payment of rent
Yadunandan Sharma, Jauna Karjee, which they continued to
Rahul Sanskritayana cultivate as sharecroppers

Tribal Movements of 19th and 20th Century

Name of the Tribe Course and consequence of revolt

Chuars Defiance of British authority by Chuars;
Area: Nanbhum and Barabhum (West Bengal) suppression of the Revolt by British through use of
Year: 1766-68 force as well as conciliatory measures
Leader: Not available
Bhils Beginning of revolt of Bhils with British
Area: Khandesh occupation of Khandesh (1818) and their defiance
Year: 1818-48 of British for 30 years; final suppression through
military operations combined with conciliatory
measures.
Bhils Occupation of Singhbhum by British and revolt of
Area: Shinghbum and Chhota Nagpur the Hos (1820); its suppression after extensive
Year: 1820, 1822 & 1832 military operations; they revolt again in 1832.
Kolis Repeated revolts of Kalis and their final
Area: Sahyadri Hills (Gujrat and Maharashtra) suppression after the capture of all their
Year: 1824,1828,1839 & 1844-48 leaders.
Khasis Unsuccessful attempts of the Khasis to drive. away
Area: Khasi Hills (Assam & Meghalaya) the British from their territory; surrender of all
Year: 1829-32 Khasi chiefs, including Tirut Singh, to the British
Leader: Tirut Singh and Bar Manik (Chiefs of in 1832.
Nounklow & Molim respectively)
Singphos Suppression of 1830 revolt by Captain Neufville;
Area: Assam murder of Colonel-White (British
Year: 1830-39 Political Agent of Assam) by Singphos in 1839 but
their ultimate defeat by British
Kols Suppression of the revolt after extensive military
Area: Chhota Nagpur operations of British and death of
Year: 1831-32 Bhagat
Leader: Buddho Bhagat
Koyas Repeated revolts of the Koyas, the major ones
Area: Rampa Region (Chodavarm in Andhra being the 1879-80 and 1922-24 revolts; capture and
Pradesh) execution of Raju by British in May 1924.
Year: 1840, 1845, 1858, 1861-62, 1879-80, 1922-24
Leader: Alluri Sitaramaraju (1922-24)
Khonds The first two revolts, led by Bisayi,were put down
Area: Khondmals (Orrisa) with great difficulty by the British.
Year: 1846-48, 1855 and 1914
Leader: Chakra Bisayi
Santhals Revolt of Santhals and establishment of their own
Area: Rajmahal Hills (Bihar) government (July, 1855); defeat of British under
Year: 1855-56 Major Burrogh by Santhals; transfer of the
Leader: Sidhu & Kanhu disiurbed area to the military and final suppression
 of the revolt by the end of 1856; creation of a
separate district of Santhal Paraganas to prevent
Santhals from revolting again in future.
Naikdas Revolt of Naikdas under Rupsingh in 1858 and
Area: Panch Mahals (Gujarat) conclusion of peace between British
Year: 1858-59 & 1868 Rupsingh in 1859; their revolt again in 1868, and
Leader: Rupsingh and Joria Bhagat establishment of a kingdom with Joria as the
spiritual head of Rupsingh as temporal head;
suppression of the revolt after the capture and
execution of Rupsingh and Joria.
Kacha Nagas -----
Area: Cacher (Assam)
Year: 1882
Leader: Sambhudhan
Mundas Foundation of new religious sect, with Singh
Area: Chhota Nagpur Bonga as the only true god, but Birsa (1895); -
Year: 1899-1990 British fears over Birsa's preachings among
Leader: Birsa Munda Mundas, and arrest and imprisonment of Birsa
(1895-97); release of Birsa and revival of his
doctrine (1898); revolt of Mundas and their attack
of churches and police stations (1899); defeat of
Mundas by British (Jan, 1900) and capture of Birsa
(he died of cholera in jail in
June 1900).
Bhils It began as a purification movement, but later
Area: Banswara and Dungapur (southern Rajasthan) developed into a political movement; failure of
Year: 1913 their attempts to set up a Bhil Raj due to British
Leader: Govind Guru armed intervention.
Oraons Launching of a monotheistic movement by Jatra in
Area: Chhota Nagpur 1914 andits transformation into a radical political
Year: 1914-15 movement to drive away the British in 1915; its
Leader: Jatra Bhagat suppression by British through repressive
measures.
Tana Bhagat Movement Adivasis threatened nonpayment of the
Area: Chotanagpur, Jharkhand Chowikidari tax and rent during Non
Year: 1918 Cooperation movt.
Thadoe Kukis Their rebellion and guerrilla war against British for
Area: Manipur two years.
Year: 1917-19
Leader: Jadonang and his neice Rani Gaidinliu
Chenchus Their revolt against increasing British control over
Area: Nallamala Hills (Andhra Pradesh) forests.
Year: 1921-22
Leader: Hanumanthu