Question

Which peasant movement was the leader of the other peasant movements in Rajasthan?
A. Sikar Peasant Movement
B. Begun Peasant Movement
C. Bijolia Peasant Movement
D. Barad Peasant Movement

Answer 1

Hint: The town is famous for being the heart of the Bollywood film industry. According to the United Nations, this is the second most populous city in the country by 2018. It was named World Alpha City in 2008.

Complete Answer:
The Bijolia movement was a peasant movement in the Bijolia jagir of the former Mewar province, which is currently Rajasthan, which has been held against excessive land income abuses. During the struggle for freedom, the peasant movement in the town narrated a tale of the power of the common man. The movement began in 1897, led by Sadhu Sitaram. Rao Krishna Singh was the chief of Bijolia, and Maharana Fateh Singh was the king of Mewar. The movement continued until 1941, after a bitter struggle lasting about half a century, gained national recognition and defied state oppression.

Land revenues and other taxes were the key issues behind the campaign. To show the wrath of the people, the farmers put away the marriages of their daughters. Vijay Singh Pathik, a legendary freedom fighter, joined the movement in 1916 and began to lead it. At that time he wrote several articles in the popular Pratap newsletter. The British authorities were forced to set up an enquiry commission led by Justice Bindu Lal Bhattacharya.

The Bijolia Agreement of February 1922 provided for a substantial reduction in logs and other taxes. Thus, at the outset, the income from land was reduced from 1⁄2 to 1/3.

Following are the given alternatives:
- The Sikar peasant movement was not the leader of the other peasant movements in Rajasthan. Thus, Option A is incorrect.
- The Begun peasant movement was not the leader of the other peasant movements in Rajasthan. Thus, Option B is also incorrect.
- The Bijolia peasant movement was the leader of the other peasant movements in Rajasthan. Thus, Option C is correct.
- The Barad peasant movement was not the leader of the other peasant movements in Rajasthan. Thus, Option D is incorrect.

Hence the right answer is Option C.

Note: After the accession of Rao Sawai Kishan Singh ji to the Jagir in 1894, peasant discontent began. "Rao Sawai" was the title given to the Pawar/Parmar dynasty Jagirdars who ruled Bijolia. Farmers were only able to get rid of unjustified taxes in 1941, after 44 years of continuous struggle. Bijolia is famous for being associated with the 23rd Jain Tirthankara or Lord Parshwanath.