Discuss in brief about agrarian movements in Pre-independent India.

Agrarian movements in pre-independent India were pivotal moments of resistance and assertion by rural communities against oppressive land tenure systems, exploitative economic practices, and social injustices perpetuated by colonial rulers and feudal landlords. These movements were driven by agrarian grievances and aimed at securing land rights, fair wages, and socio-economic reforms for peasants and agricultural workers. Here are brief discussions on some prominent agrarian movements during this period:

1. Deccan Riots (1875-1879):
The Deccan Riots, also known as the Deccan Agrarian Disturbances, erupted in the late 19th century across parts of the Bombay Presidency (present-day Maharashtra and Karnataka). Peasants were burdened with heavy taxes, rent, and debt imposed by moneylenders and landlords. The riots were characterized by widespread peasant uprisings, targeting oppressive zamindars (landlords) and demanding relief from economic hardships.

2. Indigo Revolt (1859-1860):
The Indigo Revolt was a significant agrarian movement in Bengal (present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh) against the exploitative indigo cultivation system imposed by British indigo planters. Peasants, known as ryots, were forced to grow indigo on their lands instead of food crops and were subjected to unfair contracts and harsh treatment. Led by leaders like Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas, the revolt garnered attention in India and Britain, leading to reforms in the indigo plantation system.

3. Champaran Satyagraha (1917):
Champaran Satyagraha was a movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in Bihar against the forced indigo cultivation and exploitative practices of British landlords. Peasants were compelled to grow indigo under the tinkathia system. Gandhi's involvement and the success of this movement marked a turning point in India's struggle for independence, showcasing the power of nonviolent resistance against oppressive colonial policies.

4. Mappila Uprising (1921):
The Mappila Uprising, also known as the Malabar Rebellion, was a peasant revolt in Malabar (present-day Kerala) against British and feudal landlords' economic exploitation. Peasants, primarily Muslims known as Mappilas, rebelled against land tenure systems, high taxes, and religious discrimination. The uprising was suppressed with severe repression, but it highlighted peasant grievances and nationalist sentiments in South India.

5. Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-1951):
The Telangana Armed Struggle was a peasant revolt in the Telangana region of Hyderabad State (present-day Telangana) against the oppressive feudal system and exploitative landlords supported by the Nizam's government. Peasants, led by Communist activists, organized armed resistance, demanding land reforms, fair wages, and social justice. The struggle played a role in shaping India's agrarian policies post-independence.

These agrarian movements were instrumental in raising awareness about rural exploitation, mobilizing peasants for collective action, and contributing to the broader struggle for independence and social reform in pre-independent India. They laid the groundwork for future agrarian reforms and shaped the discourse on land rights, economic justice, and rural empowerment in post-independence India.