Peasant movements in India after 1857 and before independence played a crucial role in challenging colonial exploitation, agrarian distress, and landlord oppression, often contributing to the broader nationalist awakening. These movements, though localized and diverse, highlighted the deep-seated grievances of the rural populace.

Causes: The primary causes included exorbitant land revenue demands, exploitation by zamindars (landlords) and moneylenders, forced cultivation of cash crops (like indigo), arbitrary evictions, and the general economic policies of the British that impoverished the peasantry.

Key Movements and Their Role:

1. Indigo Revolt (1859-60, Bengal): Peasants refused to cultivate indigo under coercive terms, leading to widespread strikes and clashes. It forced the government to appoint an Indigo Commission and eventually led to the end of forced indigo cultivation. This was one of the first organized peasant movements, demonstrating collective resistance.
2. Pabna Agrarian Unrest (1873-76, Bengal): Peasants resisted zamindari demands for enhanced rents and illegal cesses. They formed agrarian leagues and used legal means, including court cases, to challenge landlords. It highlighted the need for tenancy reforms.
3. Deccan Riots (1875, Maharashtra): Peasants, primarily Maratha Kunbis, revolted against moneylenders (often Marwari and Gujarati) who exploited them through usurious loans and land seizures. The riots led to the Deccan Agriculturists' Relief Act of 1879, offering some protection to peasants.
4. Moplah Rebellion (1921, Malabar, Kerala): Initially an agrarian revolt against Hindu landlords (jenmis) and the British, it later took on communal overtones. It highlighted the complex interplay of economic, religious, and political grievances.
5. Champaran Satyagraha (1917, Bihar): Led by Mahatma Gandhi, this movement protested against the 'tinkathia' system of forced indigo cultivation. It was a significant early application of Gandhian methods of non-violent civil disobedience and brought the peasant struggle into the mainstream of the national movement.
6. Kheda Satyagraha (1918, Gujarat): Another Gandhian movement, peasants demanded remission of land revenue due to crop failure. It demonstrated the power of non-cooperation.
7. Bardoli Satyagraha (1928, Gujarat): Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, this successful movement protested against an arbitrary increase in land revenue. It showcased the effectiveness of organized non-violent resistance and boosted the morale of the nationalist movement.

Overall Impact:

• Mobilization: These movements mobilized vast sections of the rural population, raising their political consciousness.
• Pressure on Colonial Rule: They put significant pressure on the British administration, leading to some agrarian reforms and inquiries.
• Integration with Nationalism: While often localized, many later movements (especially those led by Gandhi) integrated peasant grievances into the broader struggle for independence, making the national movement more inclusive and mass-based.
• Awareness: They drew attention to the severe exploitation faced by peasants, influencing future agrarian policies in independent India.