Question
Give an account of the Bardauli Satyagraha.
Answer
The Bardauli Satyagraha was a peasant movement started in Bardauli Taluk of Surat District in Gujarat in 1928. The movement protested against the government’s ownership of land and revenue after the Ryotwari land revenue settlement replaced zamindars. The main causes of the movement were the oppression, exploitation, and forced labour of the lower caste Rinadas, who were called ‘Kaliparaj’ or ‘the dark-skinned folks’ by the higher caste Ujalipara or ‘the fair-skinned folks’. The rate of taxes was also increased to 22% in 1927, and the first 30% of revenue was imposed on the peasants despite the terrible flood and famine in Bardauli in 1925. The movement was organized by Gandhian idealists, including Vallabhbhai Patel, and was supported by women, students, and Hindu-Muslims. The movement succeeded in reducing the rate of taxes from 22% to 6.25%. However, some leaders felt that Congress had led the movement with narrow and limited views, and a government-appointed investigation committee was set up, leading to a further reduction in the rate of tax by 6.03%.
