Peasant Movements and Tribal Revolts MCQ & Notes — Santhal, Munda and Indigo Revolt for UPSC, SSC

Peasant Movements and Tribal Revolts MCQ set covers one of the most consistently tested pockets of Modern Indian History for UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railways and State PSC exams. Unlike the political movements led by the Indian National Congress, these were localised uprisings by farmers, tribal communities and indigo cultivators against exploitative revenue policies, moneylenders and European planters. This guide covers exam-ready notes on the four most-asked revolts, followed by 10 practice MCQs with answers.

Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) — The Santhal Hul

The Santhal Rebellion, or Santhal Hul, broke out in the Santhal Parganas region (present-day Jharkhand) in June 1855, led by four brothers — Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav Murmu — supported by their sisters Phulo and Jhano. Around 60,000 Santhals rose against exploitation by zamindars, moneylenders (mahajans) and corrupt officials of the East India Company. The rebellion was crushed by early 1856, but it forced the British to carve out the separate Santhal Parganas district in 1856 and later pass the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act (1876) to protect tribal land rights.

Indigo Revolt (1859-60) — Neel Bidroha

The Indigo Revolt began in Bengal's Nadia district in 1859 when peasants, led by Digambar Biswas and Bishnu Biswas, refused to cultivate indigo for European planters under the exploitative "tinkathia" system. The movement spread to Pabna, Jessore and Khulna, using non-violent resistance — refusing sowing, boycotting indigo cultivation — rather than armed uprising. The colonial government set up the Indigo Commission (1860), which led to a sharp decline in forced indigo cultivation in Bengal. The revolt is notable as the first peasant movement to draw support from Bengali intellectuals, and inspired Dinabandhu Mitra's play Neel Darpan.

Deccan Riots (1875)

The Deccan Riots began on 12 May 1875 in Supa village of Poona district, Bombay Presidency. Falling cotton prices after the American Civil War, combined with a sharp hike in land revenue, pushed indebted farmers to attack moneylenders (sahukars), burning their account books (bahi-khatas) and looting grain stores. The unrest spread to over 30 villages across Poona and Ahmednagar. The government's response was the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act (1879), which restricted moneylenders' powers over peasant land and assets.

Munda Rebellion (1899-1900) — Ulgulan

The Munda Rebellion, or Ulgulan ("The Great Tumult"), was led by Birsa Munda in the Chotanagpur plateau (present-day Jharkhand) against the British land-settlement system that let outsiders (dikus) and landlords take over communal tribal (khuntkatti) land. Birsa Munda gave the call "Abua Raj Ete Jana, Maharani Raj Tundu Jana" (let the queen's rule end, let our own kingdom be established). The rebellion peaked in a clash with colonial forces at Dombari Hill on 9 January 1900; Birsa was captured shortly after and died in Ranchi jail on 9 June 1900. The uprising directly led to the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908), which restricted the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals — a protection that survives in Jharkhand's land laws today.

Practice MCQs — Peasant and Tribal Movements

Q1. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) is also known as:
A. Ulgulan B. Neel Bidroha C. Santhal Hul D. Deccan Riots
Answer: C. Santhal Hul

Q2. Which four brothers led the Santhal Rebellion of 1855?
A. Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav B. Birsa, Gaya, Komta, Donka C. Tantia, Bahadur, Nana, Rani D. Vasudev, Gopal, Ram, Shyam
Answer: A. Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav

Q3. The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 began in which district?
A. Pabna B. Nadia C. Jessore D. Khulna
Answer: B. Nadia

Q4. Which play, inspired by the Indigo Revolt, was written by Dinabandhu Mitra?
A. Neel Darpan B. Chandalika C. Andha Yug D. Ghashiram Kotwal
Answer: A. Neel Darpan

Q5. The Deccan Riots of 1875 primarily targeted:
A. British planters B. Moneylenders (sahukars) C. Zamindars D. Missionaries
Answer: B. Moneylenders (sahukars)

Q6. Which Act followed the Deccan Riots to protect peasants from moneylenders?
A. Bengal Tenancy Act B. Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act C. Chotanagpur Tenancy Act D. Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act
Answer: B. Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act (1879)

Q7. "Ulgulan" is a Mundari word meaning:
A. Great Tumult B. Freedom C. Land Rights D. Unity
Answer: A. Great Tumult

Q8. Who led the Munda Rebellion of 1899-1900?
A. Sidhu Murmu B. Birsa Munda C. Tantia Tope D. Alluri Sitarama Raju
Answer: B. Birsa Munda

Q9. The decisive battle of the Munda Rebellion was fought at:
A. Dombari Hill B. Plassey C. Buxar D. Chauri Chaura
Answer: A. Dombari Hill

Q10. Which legislation, resulting from the Munda Rebellion, restricted transfer of tribal land to non-tribals?
A. Tenancy Act 1876 B. Chotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908 C. Government of India Act 1919 D. Forest Rights Act 2006
Answer: B. Chotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908

Practice More on Modern Indian History

Test your understanding with free topic quizzes on FreePrep: Peasant Movements and Tribal Revolts, Formation of Indian National Congress, and Revolt of 1857. This topic pairs naturally with Indian National Movement MCQ & Notes and Revolt of 1857 MCQ & Notes for a complete Modern History timeline. Attempt today's free daily quiz for a mix of current affairs and history questions.