7.6 Deccan Uprising 1875

Deccan Uprising 1875

2020-04-27 15:11:23

  • Deccan Agrarian Outbreak in Poona and Ahmednagar (1875) :
  • Deccan Riots occured after the Gov decided to raise land revenue by 50% in 1867 after the end of American Civil War.
  • Social boycott against moneylenders ended with the passing of the Deccan Agriculturist Relief Act in 1879.
  • Poona, Ahmednagar, Sholapur and Satara.

Background

  • Ryotwari system was prevalent here, Peasants found it impossible to give revenue without the lending money from Moneylenders.
  • American Civil War had pushed up demand and prices when it ended it brought recession. Govt inc. revenue demand by 50%, situation became worst by succession of bad harvest.
  • started in Kardab village in Sirur taluq against the pulling down of the house of a peasant by the local moneylender.
  • resorted to social boycott.
  • Spread to Poona, Ahmednagar, Sholapur and Satara.
  • soon turned into agrarian ryots, attacked the houses of moneylenders, burnt debt bonds and deeds and other documents.
  • very little violence was more a demonstration of popular feeling of strength and unity.
  • Colonial regime passed the Deccan Agriculturist Relief Act of 1879.
  • Poona Sarvajanik Sabha led by Justice Ranade organised successful campaign among the peasants and supported the DAR bill.

Revolt and Analysis

  • The interest on loans were 25-50%
  • Introduction of the Ryotwari system led to the disruption of traditional system of tax collection.
  • New laws and courts polarised the difference between the Vanis who were village moneylenders and Kunbis or the cultivators.
  • Along with the increase in the population, dislocation of the economy, enhancing of rents by the administrators.
  • Deccan uprising against moneylenders and grain dealers.
  • Account papers/bahi khatas, bonds, grains, country cloth, house of moneylenders were burnt.
  • Sahukars were both moneylenders and traders
-   **David Hardiman** : peasants incorporated their uprising into a long tradition of revolt in Maha.
-   **Ravinder Kumar** : cause was redistribution of social power in villages
-   **Ian catanach** : land transfers were not amin reason
-   **Neil Charlesworth** : completely dismisses land transfer as factor only 5 % cultivable land passed to Marwaris
-   **Charlesworth** : inc rates not the reason as Ahmadnagar most affected did not face tax revision
  • 1867 gov inc rev rates
  • Kunbi were peasants
  • Poona Sarvajanik Sabha's report : Bombay gov giving major consessions sell movable property then land etc - moneylenders not giving loans insufficient collateral
  • Other factors - end of Am civil war, ill conceived tax revision, Kunbis vs sahukars