Sannyasi rebellion

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The Sannyasi rebellion (

Bengal famine of 1770.[1]

Early events

At least three separate events are called the Sannyasi Rebellion. One refers to a large body of

Hindu sannyasis who travelled from North India to different parts of Bengal to visit shrines. En route to the shrines, it was customary for many of these ascetics to exact a religious tax from the headmen and zamindars (feudal lords). In times of prosperity, the headmen and zamindars generally obliged. However, since the East India Company had received the diwani or right to collect tax, many of the tax demands increased and the local feudal lords and headmen were unable to pay both the ascetics and the English. Crop failures, and famine, which killed an estimated one million people compounded the problems since much of the arable land lay fallow.[1]

In 1771, 150 members of the Sannyasi rebels were put to death, apparently for no reason. This was one of the reasons that caused distress leading to violence, especially in Natore in Rangpur, (now in modern Bangladesh). However, some modern historians argue that the movement never gained popular support.[1]

The other two movements involved a sect of Hindu ascetics, the Dasanami Naga Sadhus who likewise visited Bengal on pilgrimage.[1] To the British, these ascetics were plunderers and must be stopped from collecting money that belonged to the company and possibly from even entering the province. It was felt that a large body of people on the move was a possible threat.[2]

Clashes between the Company and ascetics

From hundreds of years monks had been visiting North India and pilgrim sites. They also used to take some alms from zamidars. But after British imposed taxes on zamidars, it became hard for them to give alms to the ascetics. Sannyasis were burdened with restrictions as the British government thought they were plunderers &

Midnapore on local events was weak.[2]

Legacy

The Sannyasi rebellion was the first of a series of revolts and rebellions in the western districts of the province including (but not restricted to) the

Indian National Anthem
).

In 2022, Telugu film producer and scriptwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad announced his upcoming project tentatively titled 1770: Ek Sangram, based on Anandamath and the Sanyasi rebellion. The movie will be simultaneously made in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.[3]

References

  1. ^
    JSTOR 600151
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-521-25330-6
    .
  3. ^ 'RRR' writer K V Vijayendra Prasad to write film based on Bankim Chandra's novel 'Anandamath'
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