Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Progress of the Civil Disobedience Movement in the Countryside:

1. Rich Peasants (Patidars of Gujarat, Jats of UP): Hit hard by trade depression and falling prices, their cash income vanished, making revenue payment impossible. They enthusiastically joined the movement, organising boycott programmes. For them, swaraj meant relief from high revenues. When the movement was called off in 1931 without revenue revision, they felt betrayed and refused to participate in 1932.

1. Poor/Small Peasants: Burdened by rent to landlords, they wanted rent remission. They joined radical movements led by Socialists and Communists. The Congress, unwilling to upset landlords, refused to support 'no rent' campaigns, leaving the relationship between poor peasants and Congress uncertain.

1. Tribal Peasants (Gudem Hills, Andhra Pradesh): Angered by forest restrictions and forced begar, they launched a militant guerrilla movement under Alluri Sitaram Raju, who was inspired by Gandhi but believed in armed struggle. Raju was captured and executed in 1924.

1. Awadh Peasants: Led by Baba Ramchandra against high rents, begar, and insecure tenancy. The Oudh Kisan Sabha was formed; peasants organised social boycotts of landlords. The movement turned violent — houses were attacked and bazaars looted — which troubled Congress leadership.

Source: Chapter 2, Section 2.2 (Rebellion in the Countryside) and Section 3.2 (How Participants saw the Movement)

---

• Examiners expect you to cover at least 3–4 social groups in the countryside: rich peasants, poor peasants, tribal peasants, and Awadh peasants.
• For each group, mention: who they were → why they joined → what swaraj meant to them → any disappointment or outcome.
• Specific names (Patidars, Jats, Baba Ramchandra, Alluri Sitaram Raju) fetch marks.
• Keep each point concise — do not over-explain any single group at the cost of missing others.