NOTES of Chapter 6: "Peasants and Farmers" from Class 9 History (CBSE, NCERT):

 Here’s a detailed and descriptive summary of Chapter 6: "Peasants and Farmers" from Class 9 History (CBSE, NCERT):

Chapter 6: Peasants and Farmers

This chapter focuses on the lives of peasants and farmers, particularly in the context of India during colonial rule, and examines the struggles and challenges they faced in the agricultural sector. The chapter delves into how agricultural policies, economic pressures, and social structures affected the lives of the rural population, ultimately leading to their involvement in protests and movements.

1. Understanding the Peasantry

The peasants and farmers form the backbone of rural economies, and their livelihoods are primarily based on agriculture. These individuals are responsible for producing food and raw materials essential for society’s survival.

Who Were the Peasants?

  • Peasants were small-scale farmers who worked on their own land or on land leased from landlords.
  • In colonial India, the lives of peasants were significantly impacted by British policies and the increasing commercialization of agriculture.
  • They faced numerous challenges, including high taxes, exploitation by landlords, and fluctuations in crop prices.

2. The Impact of British Policies on Indian Agriculture

The British colonial rule had a deep and lasting impact on Indian agriculture, influencing the lives of peasants in several ways.

The Land Revenue System

  • The British introduced various land revenue systems that aimed to extract as much revenue as possible from the agricultural sector.

    • Permanent Settlement (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal and later extended to other parts of India, this system made zamindars (landlords) the collectors of revenue. Zamindars were required to pay a fixed sum of money to the British government, regardless of crop yields. This system often led to the exploitation of peasants as the zamindars demanded high rents and could evict tenants who failed to pay.

    • Ryotwari System: This system was implemented in areas like Madras and Bombay. In the Ryotwari system, the revenue was collected directly from the peasants (known as ryots). However, this often led to heavy taxation, which placed a burden on small-scale farmers, and many peasants struggled to pay their dues.

    • Mahalwari System: Introduced in parts of North India, this system involved the collection of taxes from entire villages (mahals) rather than individual farmers, which further complicated the lives of rural communities.

Economic Exploitation and Commercialization of Agriculture

  • The British encouraged the growth of cash crops (like indigo, cotton, and opium) for export, which replaced the cultivation of food crops meant for local consumption. This led to food scarcity, especially in areas where cash crops were grown.
  • The emphasis on cash crops also made peasants dependent on fluctuating market prices, leading to their exploitation by middlemen and moneylenders.

Famine and Starvation

  • The shift towards cash crops and the lack of investment in food production led to frequent famines. Peasants were left without enough resources to feed themselves or their families, leading to widespread starvation and death. The British response to famine was often indifferent, and relief measures were inadequate.

3. Peasant Struggles and Movements

As the exploitative nature of the British system became more apparent, peasants began to resist the oppression and exploitation they faced.

Peasant Revolts

Several significant revolts and uprisings took place during the colonial period, as peasants tried to resist land revenue systems, high taxes, and exploitation by landlords.

  1. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-1856):

    • This was an early and significant uprising against the British. The Santhals, an indigenous tribe in Bengal and Bihar, revolted against the exploitation of landlords and moneylenders. They were subjected to heavy land taxes and forced labor, which led them to organize an armed rebellion.

  2. The Indigo Rebellion (1859-1860):

    • In Bengal, peasants revolted against the exploitation of the indigo planters. The British had encouraged the cultivation of indigo for export, and peasants were forced to grow indigo on their land under unfavorable conditions. The indigo farmers (planters) exploited peasants, who were left with little to feed their families. The Indigo Revolt in Bengal saw large-scale protests and violence against the British planters and their agents.

  3. The Deccan Riots (1875):

    • In Maharashtra, peasants faced severe exploitation from moneylenders, who charged high-interest rates on loans. As a result, farmers who were unable to pay back their debts resorted to violence and revolt against the moneylenders.

  4. The Champaran Movement (1916):

    • Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Champaran Satyagraha was one of the first movements in India against the British during the Indigo cultivation system. It aimed to help the indigo farmers of Bihar, who were forced to grow indigo on their land instead of food crops. Gandhi’s leadership helped raise awareness about the exploitation and led to reforms in the indigo industry.

4. The Growth of Farmers' Organizations

In the early 20th century, the rise of farmers’ organizations helped channel the frustrations and demands of the rural population into organized movements.

The Kisan Sabhas

  • The Kisan Sabhas were organizations formed to address the issues faced by farmers. They emerged in the early 20th century, particularly during the Non-Cooperation Movement. These organizations helped raise awareness about the issues of land rights, debt, and taxation.

  • The All India Kisan Sabha was founded in 1936 and played a significant role in organizing peasants and farmers across India to resist the exploitation of British policies.

Impact of the Peasant Struggles

  • The struggles of peasants and farmers not only highlighted the harshness of colonial policies but also laid the foundation for the larger Indian independence movement.
  • The Champaran Satyagraha and other peasant movements marked a turning point in the relationship between farmers and the Indian National Congress. These movements contributed to the growing nationalist sentiment and helped bring rural issues to the forefront of the national struggle for freedom.

5. Post-Independence Scenario

After India gained independence in 1947, the issues of farmers and peasants continued to be important. The newly independent government had to address these longstanding grievances.

Land Reforms

  • The government introduced land reforms aimed at redistributing land to peasants and reducing the power of large landlords. These reforms were designed to improve the living conditions of farmers and ensure fairer distribution of agricultural resources.

Green Revolution

  • The Green Revolution in the 1960s was another major development in the agriculture sector. New technologies and the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, along with fertilizers and irrigation, helped increase crop production, especially in Punjab and Haryana. However, these benefits were not equally distributed, and many poor farmers, especially in backward regions, were left behind.

Challenges Faced by Farmers

  • Despite land reforms and technological advances, many farmers continue to face challenges, such as fluctuating crop prices, inadequate irrigation facilities, and dependence on monsoon rains.
  • Issues like farmers’ suicides, poor credit facilities, and lack of government support have remained significant concerns.

6. Conclusion

The chapter on Peasants and Farmers highlights the key role that agriculture played in both the colonial and post-independence periods in India. The struggles faced by peasants under British rule, particularly regarding land revenue systems, exploitation by landlords and moneylenders, and commercialization of agriculture, have had a lasting impact on India’s rural economy. The chapter also emphasizes how these struggles led to the rise of important movements that shaped both the nationalist movement and India’s post-independence policies towards agrarian reform and agricultural development.

This summary gives an overview of the challenges peasants and farmers faced in colonial and post-colonial India, focusing on their role in the Indian independence movement and the policies introduced to address their needs. 

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