Harinath Majumdar and the Bengal Peasantry

Abstract

This article seeks to probe the handling of issues vital to the peasantry of Bengal by Harinath Majumdar at a time that was crucial in the agrarian history of Bengal. Nineteenth century saw the beginning of literati interest in the affairs of the rural world. Harinath Majumdar, founder and editor of Grambarta Prakashika, did yeomen service to the cause of Indian press and the Bengal peasantry. This was the first good journal devoted primarily to issues vital to the rural world and brought about a paradigm shift in the intelligentsia’s approach to matters vital to the countryside. He ventilated the grievances of indigo ryots and other ordinary tillers. This article seeks to examine his handling of agrarian issues and the solutions he offered in a period which witnessed great agrarian unrest in Bengal and considerable adjustments in the social fabric of the region. Among the questions that have been addressed are the issues Harinath raised; his concern for the rightless condition of ryots; his confrontation...