Explain Bijaulia Peasants Movement.

The Bijolia movement was a peasant movement in the Bijolia jagir of the former Mewar state (in present-day Rajasthan in India) against excessive land revenue exactions. Originating in the former jagir (feudal estate) of Bijolia (near the town of Bijolia in Bhilwara district), the movement gradually spread to neighbouring jagirs. Leadership to the movement was provided, at different times, by Sitaram Das, Vijay Singh Pathik, and Manikyalal Verma. The Bijolia Peasant Movement may be divided into three main phases –

• The first phase between 1897 – 1915 was marked by a spontaneous movement which was advanced by the local leadership.

• The second phase 1915 -1923 saw a rise in the consciousness of the peasant class and the movement was led by trained and matured leaders of national level.

• The third phase saw a decline in the movement as leadership was lost due to differences in opinion and the peasant's reluctance to surrender their lands indefinitely.

The movement continued till 1941 after a bitter struggle lasting about half a century, gained national attention and resisted state oppression. It may have failed to succeed but it did serve as a severe attack on the feudal system. It inspired other peasant movements in the country and acted as a founding stone for mass struggle and social development.