Rangpur uprising 1783
Also called: Rangpur dhing · Topic: Peasant and Tribal Resistance under Company Rule · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Rangpur uprising was a peasant revolt in 1783 in Rangpur district, in northern Bengal. Under early Company rule, the right to collect land revenue was often leased out to revenue farmers (ijaradars), who bid for it. These farmers squeezed the peasants hard to make a profit. The uprising shows how the Company's harsh revenue system pushed peasants to revolt soon after the 1770 famine.
Example
In 1783 the peasants of Rangpur rose against Debi Singh. He had taken the revenue rights on lease from the Company and was collecting with great cruelty. The rebels attacked his agents and stopped paying revenue, but Company troops put the revolt down.
Don't confuse with
- Sannyasi-Fakir rebellion: in the same region and period, but led by wandering Hindu and Muslim ascetics who attacked Company treasuries over about three decades. Rangpur was a revolt by ordinary peasants against one revenue farmer.
Related concepts
- Criminal Tribes Act
- Poligar wars
- Veerapandiya Kattabomman
- Velu Thampi Dalawa
- Paika rebellion 1817
- Kittur Chennamma
- Ahom revolt 1828