Agrarian Unrest in Colonial Bengal

Abstract

The narrative on agrarian unrest in colonial Bengal constitutes a momentous chapter in the history of anti-imperialist struggle. They exposed frailty of agrarian structure of rural economy. Influenced by socio- political, economic and cultural factors, these unrests were not only attempts at resistance against oppressive land revenue systems but need to be understood in the logic of wider social and nationalist mobilization that would gradually strengthen India’s struggle against colonialism. They posed a mighty challenge to colonial rulers as they grappled over the years with complexities of imperial aspirations and designs and then gradually, the implications of dismemberment of colonial empire, transfer of power and partition. This essay seeks to probe, some significant unrests of Bengal ryots during colonial period, their origins, expression, genesis, management of leadership and influence on the rural landscape and larger national liberation movement.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46700/asssr/2024/v6/i2/2024120602001