History Notes Chapter 11 Struggle for Equality Class 8 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – History Class 8

1. Introduction

• The struggle for political freedom in India was linked with the fight for social and economic equality.
• Along with freedom from British rule, people also fought against feudalism, social inequality, and economic exploitation.
• Various social groups-farmers, workers, women, and Dalits-contributed to the struggle for equality and social justice.

2. Peasant Movements

• Reason for Peasant Movements:
  • Unjust treatment by British landlords and moneylenders.
  • Heavy taxation and forced cultivation of specific crops (like indigo).

A. Key Peasant Movements

1. Indigo Revolt (Bengal):
   • Reason: Farmers were forced to grow indigo instead of food crops.
   • Action: Formed unions and revolted.
   • Impact: Deenbandhu Mitra wrote the play “Neel Darpan” to highlight the plight of farmers.
2. Deccan Riots (1875, Maharashtra):
   • Reason: Farmers rebelled against the atrocities of landlords and moneylenders.
3. Kisan Sabha (Uttar Pradesh, 1918):
   • Leader: Baba Ramchandra.
   • Objective: Organize farmers to fight against exploitation.
4. Moplah Rebellion (Kerala):
   • Reason: Against unfair land policies.
   • Outcome: The British violently suppressed the rebellion.

B. Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha (1936)

• Founder: Prof. N.G. Ranga.
• President: Swami Sahajananda Saraswati.
• Objective: Present farmers’ demands to the Indian National Congress.
• Event: Thousands of farmers attended the Faizpur session of Congress in Maharashtra.

C. Sane Guruji’s Contribution

• Leader: Sane Guruji (Eastern Khandesh, Maharashtra).
• Actions:
  • Led protests to waive land taxes after crop failures.
  • Organized meetings and marches on the Collector’s office.
  • Built worker unity in Dhule and Ammalner.
  • Fought against untouchability-went on fast unto death to open Vithal Temple at Pandharpur for Dalits.

3. Workers’ Movement

• Reason for Workers’ Struggle:
  • Poor working conditions in textile mills, railways, and other industries.
  • Unfair wages and long working hours.

A. Early Workers’ Movements

1. Bombay Mill Hands Association (1890):
   • Founder: Narayan Meghaji Lokhande (Father of Indian Workers’ Movement).
   • Achievement: Secured Sunday as a weekly holiday for workers.
2. Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) Railway Strike (1899):
   • Reason: Workers demanded better wages and working conditions.

B. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC, 1920)

• Key Leaders: N.M. Joshi, Lala Lajpat Rai (First President).
• Objective: Unite workers and promote economic justice.

C. Major Strikes

1. Mumbai Mill Workers’ Strike (1928):
   • Lasted six months demanding better wages.
2. Railway and Jute Mill Strikes:
   • Workers supported Swadeshi and freedom movements.

4. Socialist Movement

• Reason: The need for economic and social equality and end of exploitation.

A. Formation of Congress Socialist Party (1934)

• Founders: Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.
• Objective: Establish social justice and overthrow British rule.

B. Communist Party of India (1925)

• Influence: Inspired by Karl Marx’s ideas on Communism.
• Key Leaders: Shripad Amrut Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed, K.N. Joglekar.
• Outcome:
  • Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929): British arrested communist leaders for plotting against British rule.

5. Women’s Movement

• Reason: Fight against social inequality and gender discrimination.

A. Major Reformers and Movements

1. Pandita Ramabai:
   • Established Arya Mahila Samaj and Sharada Sadan for women’s education.
2. Ramabai Ranade:
   • Founded Seva Sadan to promote women’s rights.
3. Dr. Anandibai Joshi:
   • First Indian female doctor who earned her M.D. degree in 1886.
4. Rakhmabai Janardan Save:
   • First practicing woman doctor who raised awareness about women’s health.

B. Key Women’s Organizations

1. Bharat Mahila Parishad (1904).
2. All India Women’s Conference (1927).

Achievements:

• Fought for inheritance rights and women’s suffrage.

6. Dalit Movement

• Reason: Fight against untouchability and caste discrimination.

A. Early Dalit Leaders

1. Gopal Baba Walangkar:
   • Wrote “Vitaal Vidhwansan” against untouchability.
2. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde:
   • Founded Depressed Classes Mission to improve Dalit education.

B. Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj’s Reforms

• Reservation: Introduced reservation for non-Brahmins in Kolhapur State.
• Abolished Balutedari System: Freed Dalits from forced labor.
• Inter-caste Marriage Law: Gave legal protection to inter-caste marriages.

C. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Contribution

• Key Organizations:
  1. Bahishkrut Hitkarini Sabha (1924) – Fought for Dalit rights.
  2. Independent Labour Party – Opposed anti-worker laws.

All India Scheduled Castes Federation (1942) – Advocated for Dalit issues.

• Major Satyagrahas:
  1. Chavdar Lake Satyagraha (1927): Fought for Dalit access to public water.
  2. Kalaram Temple Satyagraha (1930): Demanded temple entry for Dalits.
• Newspapers: Published “Muknayak”, “Bahishkrut Bharat”, and “Janata” to raise Dalit issues.
• Conversion to Buddhism (1956): Rejected the caste system by embracing Buddhism.

7. Significance of the Struggle for Equality

• Laid the foundation for social justice in modern India.
• Inspired constitutional protections for Dalits, women, and workers.