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CONCERNED DISTRICT: Dhanbad

CONCERNED STATE/UT: Jharkhand
CATEGORY: Events
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TITLE: Agitation against the sale of Panchet estate in 1795
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS: 243
Agitation against the sale of Panchet estate in 1795
The early phase of the colonial rule in Bengal witnessed considerable struggle between the
East India Company and the peasants and zamindars as a result of the harsh and exploitative
revenue policies imposed by the colonizers. The agitation in the Panchet Estate, located in
Dhanbad district of Jharkhand was one such notable instance of conflict and resistance
against British imperialism.
The exorbitant land revenue demands made by the East India Company had made life
miserable for Indians of all classes, from the peasantry to the zamindars. The British, who
were driven solely by the profit motive, and had no regard for the actual conditions of the
agriculturalists, took harsh actions against any estate that failed to pay revenue. The
Panchet Estate was one such zamindari, which was struggling to pay the land revenue.
Despite the protestations of the zamindar, the estate was auctioned off. At this humiliation,
the zamindar and the local peasantry revolted. They refused to allow the new owner of the
estate to set foot on the lands and launched a widespread armed rebellion. This insurrection
was coupled with a fresh outbreak of the Chuar rebellion in Bengal, thus placing the British
administration in considerable difficulty.
By 1798, the East India Company was compelled to accept the Panchet Zamindar’s demand,
and return the estate to him. However, the peasants and the landlords continued to harbor
resentment against the British regime, which revealed itself in the First War of
Independence in 1857.

Source: Indian Culture Portal

 Map of Bihar and Jharkhand from 1776

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https://indianculture.gov.in/gazettes/
bihar-district-gazetteers-dhanbad Pages 45-46

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Jharkhand from 1776 l.jpg

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