Sansayi Revolt, History, Reason, Importance, Leaders and Objective

The Sanyasi revolt was a late-eighteenth-century rebellion in Bengal. Read all about Sansayi Revolt, History, Reason, Importance, Leaders and Objective for UPSC Exam

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Sanyasi Revolt

Under the direction of Pandit Bhabani Charan Pathak, the Sanyasi revolt took place in the late eighteenth century in Bengal, India, in the Murshidabad and Baikunthpur woods of Jalpaiguri. Some describe the Battle of Buxar in 1764 as the first battle for India’s independence from foreign rule, while others categories it as violent banditry in the wake of the Bengal famine of 1770, which resulted in the depopulation of the province and the granting of the British East India Company the authority to collect taxes.

In order to prepare for the UPSC Civil Service Exam, this page will provide you with information on the Sanyasi Rebellion (1763–1800).

Read about: Revolt of 1857

Sanyasi Revolt History

As a result of the severe famine of 1770 and the British government’s stringent economic policies, a group of sanyasis in Eastern India were compelled to rebel against the British yoke. The sanyasis were first peasants, some of whom had been forced off their land, but soon a sizable number of dispossessed minor zamindars, disbanded troops, and the rural poor joined them.

There are at least three different events that make up the Sanyasi Revolt. One is a sizable number of Hindu sannyasis who travelled to various Bengali districts from North India to visit shrines. On their way to the shrines, many of these ascetics would demand a religious donation from the local chiefs and zamindars, or landowners in the area.

The headmen and zamindars were more inclined to assist while the economy was booming. Bhawani Pandit The main figure in the “Sanyasi Revolt” against British rule and exploitation in Bengal in the eighteenth century was Sharan Pathak. Sanyasi Revolt was the initial anti-British insurrection in India.

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Sanyasi Revolt Reason

A famine struck the rural districts of British India’s Bengal province in February 1770. People moved from their villages to cities during the famine year in search of food and employment. The Bengal Famine: The First Great Crisis of Britain’s Indian Empire historian Joseph Goldstucker claims that the famine caused massive migrations, with millions travelling by foot to Dhaka and Calcutta.

A small number of sanyasis in Eastern India were forced to revolt against the British yoke as a result of the devastating famine of 1770 and the British government’s strict economic policies. Initially, the Sanyasis were peasants, some of whom had been driven off their property, but soon a sizable percentage of the lesser zamindars who had been driven off their land had disbanded their forces, and the rural poor joined them.

The Sanyasi Revolt is made up of at least three distinct incidents. One is the significant number of Hindu sannyasis who travelled from North India to various Bengali districts to visit shrines. Many of these sadhus would request a religious gift from the zamindars and other local officials before beginning their journey to the shrines. When the economy was prospering, the zamindars and headmen were more likely to provide a hand. As a result of the zamindars’ diwani obligations to the British government, this had grown challenging.

Because the Brits believed the Sanyasis to be looters, they forbade them from entering sacred sites. The Sanyasis revolted against the British and looted government funds and factories in England. Pandit Bhawani Sharan Pathak was the leading figure in the “Sanyasi Revolt” (18th century) against British rule and exploitation in Bengal. The Sanyasi Revolt signalled the start of the Indian anti-British uprising.

Read about: Ryotwari System

Sanyasi Revolt Leader

The Fakir Revolt, as the uprisings were sometimes called, was notable for the equal participation of Muslims and Hindus. Majnum Shah (or Majnu Shah), Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Bhawani Pathak, and Debi Chaudhurani were significant figures. The participation of Debi Chaudhurani recognises the role of women in early anti-British resistance.

Read More: Mahalwari System

Sanyasi Revolt Significance

Thousands of peasants were perishng in the fields and woodlands every day. The famine was attributed on the British East India Company. The Company was viewed as an unpleasant oppressor who used excessive taxes to take advantage of the peasantry. To get justice for their complaints, the peasants turned to violence against the Corporation and its allies.

In Baikunthpur, a rebellion started in April 1770. More than thirty occurrences of Sanyasi Revolts, known as “Sanyasi Revolts,” occurred in Bengal Province alone between 1770 and 1779, including several in Murshidabad.

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Sanyasi Revolt Objective

The Sanyasi Revolts’ main goals were to air their grievances and exact personal vengeance on the British.

The Corporation and its allies were accused of repressing the peasantry, which was the primary Goal. The second goal was to take out the district magistrates who were British officers. The commoners desired their own magistrates.

Following the Sanyasi insurrection, the Santhal Revolt (1855–1856) and the Chuar Revolt (1799) both took place in the western parts of the province. The Bengali novels Anandamath (1882) and Devi Chaudhurani (1884), written by India’s first modern novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, are among the best literary memories of the Rebellion.

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Sanyasi Revolt Failure

Caste discrimination in society, which caused internal strife, was one of the main causes of the Sanyasi Revolt’s collapse. The societal ills that Pandit Bhabani Charan Pathak saw in his neighbourhood were the subject of his sermons. He was kind to other people. He also criticised the zamindars’ authority, which he believed to be corrupt.

Bhabani The caste structure, where upper castes maintained the status quo, is the root of Charan Pathak’s uprising. In contrast, there were disputes amongst lower castes based on political influence and religious identity. When non-Hindus spoke out against the exploitation or mistreatment of Dalits, the higher castes utilised violence against them in order to maintain their privileges and authority over them.

Read about: Partition of Bengal

Sanyasi Revolt UPSC

The Chuar Rebellion of 1799 and the Santhal Revolt of 1855–56 were two revolts that occurred in the western regions of the province after the Sanyasi uprising. Among the best literary memories of the Rebellion are the Bengali novels Anandamath (1882) and Devi Chaudhurani (1884) by India’s first modern novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

Read about : Freedom Fighters of India

FAQs

Who started Sanyasi Revolt?

In the Eighteenth Century Pandit Bhavanicharan Pathak was the main hero of the 'Sannyasi Rebellion' against the British rule and exploitation in the land of Bengal. Sannyasi Rebellion was India's first anti-British independence struggle. In 1771, 150 saints were put to death, apparently for no reason.

Where did Sanyasi Revolt happen?

The Sanyasis rose in rebellion against the British and raided English factories and government treasuries. This rebellion was centred in the forests of Murshidabad and Baikunthupur, Bengal.

Who stopped Bengal Sanyasi Revolt?

Pandit Bhawani Sharan Pathak was the major hero of the 'Sanyasi Rebellion' against British control and exploitation in Bengal in the eighteenth century.

What was the main cause of Sanyasi Revolt?

The immediate cause of the uprising was the British government's prohibition on people visiting holy sites.

Who used the term Sannyasi revolt?

An individual in Sanyasa is known as a Sannyasi (male) or Sannyasini (female) in Hinduism, which in many ways parallel to the Sadhu and Sadhvi traditions of Jain monasticism, the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis of Buddhism.