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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / PEPSU Muzhara Movement- a review

PEPSU Muzhara Movement- a review

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The Muzhara Movement was an agrarian struggle in Punjab where tenant farmers (muzharas) fought for land ownership rights, leading to land reforms in 1952 and marking March 19 as a symbol of resistance.

PEPSU Muzhara Movement- a review

Introduction

  • The Muzhara Movement was a significant agrarian struggle in Punjab, marking the fight of landless tenant farmers (muzharas) for ownership rights over the land they had cultivated for generations.
  • It played a crucial role in shaping land reforms in post-independence India, ultimately leading to the redistribution of land to tenant farmers.

Historical Background

  • The movement originated in the 1930s in the princely state of Patiala and continued after independence when princely states were reorganized into the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).
  • It was later renamed the PEPSU Muzhara Movement, gaining widespread participation from 784 villages across modern-day Patiala, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, and Jind (now in Haryana).
  • Muzharas, who were tenant farmers, worked under the oppressive feudal system of biswedars (landlords), who took a share of their produce while paying revenue to the ruling kings and the British.
  • Even after independence, landlords continued to demand their share, leading to intensified protests by tenant farmers.

Significance of March 19

  • The turning point in the movement occurred in March 1949, when biswedars attempted to reclaim land from the muzharas in Kishangarh village (Mansa district, Punjab). The tenant farmers resisted, leading to violent confrontations.
  • March 17, 1949: A standoff with Patiala police resulted in the death of a police officer, leading to the arrest of 35 muzharas, who were later acquitted in February 1950.
  • March 19, 1949: The army surrounded Kishangarh village, leading to the death of four muzharas in a violent clash.
  • Since 1953, March 19 has been observed annually as a symbol of resistance and martyrdom in Punjab’s agrarian struggles.

Key Leaders of the Muzhara Movement

Several prominent figures played a crucial role in mobilizing tenant farmers and leading the resistance:

  • Jagir Singh Joga – A key organizer who mobilized tenant farmers against landlords.
  • Buta Singh – A prominent activist advocating for land rights and redistribution.
  • Teja Singh Sutantar – A revolutionary associated with multiple peasant movements, supporting the Muzhara struggle.
  • Sewa Singh Thikriwala – A leader whose anti-princely rule ideology influenced the movement.
  • Bhai Jodh Singh – A grassroots activist who helped strengthen the movement through awareness campaigns.

Impact of the Muzhara Movement

  • Land Reforms: The movement led to land ownership rights being granted to tenant farmers by 1952, ending feudal exploitation in Punjab.
  • Farmers’ Resistance Legacy: It inspired later agrarian movements, including the recent farmer protests against agricultural reforms.
  • Commemoration: The village Kishangarh has a memorial dedicated to Muzhara martyrs, symbolizing their contribution to Punjab’s agrarian history.

Observance of the Movement

  • Traditionally, a three-day conference was held annually in Kishangarh, attended by farmers traveling on bicycles and carts to participate in speeches and discussions.
  • Over the years, it has been reduced to a one-day event, organized by farmers’ unions and political groups, including BKU Dakaunda, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, and CPI-affiliated organizations.
  • The entry gate of Kishangarh village bears an inscription dedicated to the martyrs of the Muzhara Movement, and a memorial hall was constructed on land formerly occupied by a landlord’s haveli.

Conclusion

  • The Muzhara Movement remains a landmark in India’s agrarian history, demonstrating farmers’ resilience against feudal oppression.
  • Its legacy continues to inspire contemporary struggles for farmers’ rights and land reforms, reinforcing the importance of grassroots movements in shaping socio-economic policies.

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