Question map
Consider the following statements : 1. In the 19th century, peasants in various parts of India rose in revolt against moneylenders and grain dealers. 2. In May 1875, at village Supa in Poona District in the Bombay Deccan, peasants attacked shopkeepers, burnt the bahi khatas (account books), looted grain shops and set fire to the houses of Sahukars. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Explanation
In the 19th century, various parts of India witnessed peasant uprisings against the exploitative practices of moneylenders and grain dealers [3]. These movements were often triggered by high revenue demands, debt traps, and the greedy ways of sahukars [6]. A prominent example occurred in May 1875 at Supa village in the Poona district of the Bombay Deccan [4]. The revolt began when ryots gathered at the market center and launched systematic attacks on shopkeepers and moneylenders [1]. The peasants demanded and subsequently burnt the bahi khatas (account books) and debt bonds, looted grain shops, and in several instances, set fire to the houses of sahukars [2]. This unrest, known as the Deccan Riots, eventually spread to Ahmednagar and other districts, leading the British government to pass the Deccan Agriculturists Relief Act in 1879 to address peasant grievances [4].
Sources
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 6: People’s Resistance Against British Before 1857 > Peasant Movements with Religious Overtones > p. 152
- [6] https://ia801508.us.archive.org/7/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.98545/2015.98545.Elementary-Aspects-Of-Peasant-Insurgency-In-Colonial-India_text.pdf
- [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: COLONIALISM AND THE COUNTRYSIDE > 3.1 Account books are burnt > p. 246
- [4] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: COLONIALISM AND THE COUNTRYSIDE > 4. The Deccan Riots Commission > p. 255
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 31: Peasant Movements 1857-1947 > Deccan Riots > p. 577