Workers and Tribal movements

Workers, Peasant And Tribal Movements In British India

Indigo Revolt (1859-60)

The Indigo revolt of Bengal was directed against British planters who forced peasants to take advances and sign fraudulent contracts which forced the peasants to grow Indigo under terms which were the least profitable to them. The revolt began in Govindpur village in Nadia district, Bengal and was led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas who organised the peasants into a counter force to deal with the planters lathiyals (armed retainers).

In April 1860 all the cultivators of the Barasat subdivision and in the districts of Pabna and Nadia resorted to strike. They refused to sow any indigo. The strike spread to other places in Bengal. The revolt enjoyed the support of all categories of the rural Population, missionaries and the Bengal intelligentsia. This was vividly portrayed by Din Bandhu Mitra in his play, Neel Darpan enacted in 1869. It led to the appointment of an Indigo Commission in 1860 by the government by which some of the abuses of Indigo cultivation was removed.

Pabna Movement (1872-76)

In East Bengal the peasantry was oppressed by zamindars through frequent recourse to ejection, harassment, arbitrary enhancement of rent through ceases (abwabs) and use of force. The zamindars also tried to prevent them from acquiring the occupancy rights under the Act of 1859.

In May 1873 an Agrarian League was formed in the Yusufzahi Pargana of Pabna district (East Bengal). Payments of enhanced rents were refused and the peasants fought the zamindars in the courts. Similar leagues were formed in the adjoining districts of Bengal. The main leaders of the Agrarian League were Ishan Chandra Roy, Shambu Pal and Khoodi Mullah. The discontent continued till 1885 when the Government by the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1885 enhanced the occupancy rights.

The Deccan Peasants’ Uprising, 1875

The Deccan peasants uprising was directed mainly against the excesses of the Marwari and Gujarati Money lenders. Social boycott of moneylenders by the peasants was later transformed into armed peasant revolt in the Poona and Ahmadnagar districts of Maharashtra. The peasants attacked the moneylender’s houses, shops and burnt them down.

Their chief targets were the bond documents, deeds and decrees that the money lenders held against them. By June 1875 nearly a thousand peasants were arrested and the uprising completely suppressed. The Government appointed the Deccan Riots Commission to investigate into the causes of the uprising. The ameliorative measure passed was the Agriculturists Relief Act of 1879 which put restrictions on the operations of the peasants land and prohibited imprisonment of the peasants of the Deccan for failure to repay debts to the moneylenders.

Punjab Peasants Discontent (1890-1900)

Rural indebtedness and the large scale alienation of agricultural land to non-cultivating classes led to the peasant discontent in Punjab. The communal complexion of the Punjab rural situation and the martial character of the Sikhs called for an early effective action by the government. The Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900 was passed which prohibited the sale and mortgage of lands from peasants to moneylenders. The Punjab peasants were also given partial relief against oppressive incidence of land revenue demand by the Government and it was not to exceed 50% of the annual rental value of land.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

The peasantry on the indigo plantations in the Champaran district of Bihar was excessively oppressed by the European planters. They were compelled to grow indigo on at least 3/20th of their land (tinkathia system) and to sell it at prices fixed by the planters. Accompanied by Babu Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar -ul-Huq, J.B. Kripalani, Narhari Parekhand Mahadev Desai, Gandhiji reached Champaran in 1917 and began to conduct a detailed inquiry into the condition of the peasantry.

The infuriated district officials ordered him to leave Champaran, but he defied the order and was willing to face trial and imprisonment. Later the Government developed cold feet and appointed an Enquiry Committee (June 1917) with Gandhiji as one of the members. The ameliorative enactment, the Champaran Agrarian Act freed the tenants from the special imposts levied by the indigo planters.

Kaira Satyagraha (1918)

The Kaira (Kheda) campaign was chiefly directed against the Government. In 1918, crops failed in the Kheda districts in Gujarat but the government refused to remit land revenue and insisted on its full collection. Gandhiji along with Vallabhai Patel supported the peasants and advised them to withhold payment of revenues till their demand for its remission was met. The satyagraha lasted till June 1918. The Government had to concede the just demands of the peasants.

Moplah Rebellion (1921)

In August 1921, peasant discontent erupted in the Malabar district of Kerala. Here Moplah (Muslim) tenants rebelled. Their grievances related to lack of any security of tenure, renewal fees, high rents, and other oppressive landlord exactions. In 1920, the Khilafat Movement took over the tenant rights agitation (which had been going on in the Malabar region since 1916) after the Congress Conference held at Manjeri in April 1920. The arrest of established leaders of the Congress and the Khilafat movement left the field clear for radical leaders.

In the first stage of the rebellion, the targets of attack were the unpopular jenmies (landlords), mostly Hindu, the symbols of Government authority such as courts, police stations, treasuries and offices, and British planters.

But once the British declared martial law and repression began in earnest, the character of the rebellion underwent a definite change. It took communal tones because the class divide approximated the communal divide. The movement was severely depressed by December 1921.

Bardoli Satyagraha (1928)

Enhancement of land revenue by 22% in the Bardoli district of Gujarat by the British government led to the organisation of a ‘No-Revenue Campaign’ by the Bardoli peasants under the Leadership of Vallabhai Patel. Unsuccessful attempts of the British to suppress the movement by large scale attachment of cattle and land resulted in the appointment of an enquiry committee. The enquiry conducted by Broomfield and Maxwell come to the conclusion that the increase had been unjustified and reduced the enhancement to 6.03%.

Workers and Tribal movements in India have a long and complex history. The first major workers’ movement in India was the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which was founded in 1920. The INTUC was a trade union federation that was affiliated with the Indian National Congress (INC), the leading political party in India. The INTUC was initially successful in organizing workers in the textile Industry, but it soon faced competition from other Trade Unions, including the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), which was founded in 1920 and was affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI).

The AITUC was more radical than the INTUC, and it was more successful in organizing workers in the mining and jute industries. The AITUC also played a leading role in the Indian independence movement. In the 1930s, the AITUC and the INTUC were both involved in the Salt March, which was a major protest against British rule.

After India gained independence in 1947, the INTUC and the AITUC continued to be the two largest trade unions in India. However, they were soon joined by a number of other trade unions, including the All India Trade Union Federation (AITUF), which was founded in 1948 and was affiliated with the Socialist Party of India (SPI).

The AITUF was more radical than the INTUC and the AITUC, and it was more successful in organizing workers in the agricultural sector. The AITUF also played a leading role in the NaxaliteâMaoist insurgency, which was a major peasant uprising that began in the late 1960s.

In the 1970s, the INTUC and the AITUC were both involved in the Emergency, which was a period of authoritarian rule in India. The Emergency was a major setback for the trade union movement in India, and it led to a decline in membership and activity.

In the 1980s, the trade union movement in India began to revive. The INTUC and the AITUC were joined by a number of new trade unions, including the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), which was founded in 1982 and is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The BMS is a Hindu nationalist trade union, and it has been successful in organizing workers in the private sector. The BMS has also been a major critic of the government’s Economic Reforms.

In the 1990s, the trade union movement in India faced a number of challenges, including the government’s economic reforms, which led to job losses and a decline in real wages. The trade union movement also faced competition from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which have been increasingly involved in social and Economic Development.

Despite these challenges, the trade union movement in India remains strong. The INTUC, the AITUC, and the BMS are all major players in Indian politics, and they continue to play a vital role in the lives of millions of Indian workers.

Tribal peoples in India are also known as Adivasis. They are the indigenous peoples of India, and they have a long and rich history. Tribal peoples in India have been marginalized and discriminated against for centuries, and they continue to face many challenges today.

One of the biggest challenges facing tribal peoples in India is land alienation. Tribal peoples have traditionally lived on communal land, but this land has been increasingly taken over by the government and by private companies. This has led to displacement and POVERTY for many tribal peoples.

Another challenge facing tribal peoples in India is lack of Education and healthcare. Tribal peoples are often denied access to quality education and healthcare, which makes it difficult for them to improve their lives.

Tribal peoples in India are also facing the threat of environmental destruction. Their traditional lands are being destroyed by mining, logging, and other development projects. This is having a devastating impact on their way of life.

Despite these challenges, tribal peoples in India are fighting for their rights. They are demanding land rights, education, healthcare, and protection of their Environment. They are also demanding recognition of their culture and identity.

The struggle of tribal peoples in India is a long and difficult one, but they are determined to win. They are fighting for their rights, their land, and their future.

What are the different types of workers’ movements?

There are many different types of workers’ movements, but some of the most common include:

Trade unions: Trade unions are organizations that represent the interests of workers in a particular industry or occupation. They negotiate with employers on behalf of their members, and they can also engage in strikes and other forms of industrial action.
Social movements: Social movements are broad-based movements that seek to bring about Social Change. They often involve a wide range of actors, including workers, activists, and community groups.
Political Parties: Political parties are organizations that seek to gain control of government in order to implement their policies. Some political parties have a strong focus on workers’ rights, and they may work to promote the interests of workers through legislation and other means.

What are some examples of successful workers’ movements?

There are many examples of successful workers’ movements throughout history. Some of the most famous include:

The American labor movement: The American labor movement began in the early 19th century, and it has played a major role in improving the lives of workers in the United States. The movement has achieved many important victories, including the right to organize, the right to strike, and the right to collective bargaining.
The British labor movement: The British labor movement also began in the early 19th century, and it has played a major role in improving the lives of workers in the United Kingdom. The movement has achieved many important victories, including the right to organize, the right to strike, and the right to collective bargaining.
The Indian labor movement: The Indian labor movement began in the late 19th century, and it has played a major role in improving the lives of workers in India. The movement has achieved many important victories, including the right to organize, the right to strike, and the right to collective bargaining.

What are some of the challenges facing workers’ movements today?

Workers’ movements face many challenges today, including:

The decline of unions: Unions have been in decline in many countries in recent decades. This is due to a number of factors, including Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization, the decline of manufacturing, and the rise of the service sector.
The rise of precarious work: Precarious work is work that is insecure and unstable. It is often characterized by low pay, poor working conditions, and lack of benefits. The rise of precarious work has made it more difficult for workers to organize and bargain collectively.
The decline of the welfare state: The welfare state is a system of social programs that provides support to workers and their families. The decline of the welfare state has made it more difficult for workers to meet their basic needs, and it has also made it more difficult for them to organize and bargain collectively.

What are some of the strategies that workers’ movements are using to address these challenges?

Workers’ movements are using a variety of strategies to address the challenges they face today. Some of these strategies include:

Building alliances with other social movements: Workers’ movements are increasingly building alliances with other social movements, such as the environmental movement and the anti-war movement. These alliances can help workers to achieve their goals by providing them with additional Resources and support.
Using new technologies: Workers’ movements are increasingly using new technologies, such as Social Media, to organize and communicate with each other. These technologies can help workers to build solidarity and to connect with other workers around the world.
Engaging in direct action: Workers’ movements are increasingly engaging in direct action, such as strikes and protests. Direct action can help workers to pressure employers and governments to improve their working conditions.

What are the prospects for workers’ movements in the future?

The prospects for workers’ movements in the future are uncertain. However, there are some reasons to be optimistic. The global economy is becoming increasingly interconnected, and this is creating new opportunities for workers to organize and bargain collectively. In addition, the rise of precarious work is creating a new generation of workers who are open to new ideas and who are willing to fight for their rights.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Workers and Tribal movements:

Which of the following is not a type of movement?
(A) Social movement
(B) Political movement
(C) Economic movement
(D) Religious movement
Which of the following is not a goal of a social movement?
(A) To change the way people think about a particular issue
(B) To change the way people behave
(C) To change the way the government works
(D) To change the way businesses operate
Which of the following is not a strategy used by social movements?
(A) Protests
(B) Boycotts
(C) Strikes
(D) Negotiations
Which of the following is not a challenge faced by social movements?
(A) Lack of resources
(B) Lack of public support
(C) Opposition from the government
(D) Opposition from businesses
Which of the following is not a success story of a social movement?
(A) The Civil Rights Movement
(B) The Women‘s Suffrage Movement
(C) The Labor Movement
(D) The Environmental Movement
Which of the following is not a type of organization?
(A) Nonprofit organization
(B) For-profit organization
(C) Government organization
(D) Social movement organization
Which of the following is not a goal of an organization?
(A) To make a profit
(B) To provide a service
(C) To advocate for a cause
(D) To regulate an industry
Which of the following is not a strategy used by organizations?
(A) Marketing
(B) Fundraising
(C) Lobbying
(D) Negotiations
Which of the following is not a challenge faced by organizations?
(A) Lack of resources
(B) Lack of public support
(C) Opposition from the government
(D) Opposition from businesses
Which of the following is not a success story of an organization?
(A) The Red Cross
(B) The Salvation Army
(C) The World Wildlife Fund
(D) The United Nations