| Year | Movement | Region | Key Participants / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1763–1800 | Sannyasi Rebellion | Bengal | Majnu Shah – main Fakir leader; Musa Shah, Bhavani Pathak, Chirag Ali, Devi Chaudhurani participated in the resistance against British authority. |
| 1766–1816 | Chuar Rebellion | Bengal | Leaders included Durjan Singh, Jagannath Singh, Raghunath Mahato, Rani Shiromani, and Subal Singh, representing tribal-peasant resistance against British revenue policies. |
| 1799–1805 | Polygar Rebellion | Tamil Nadu | Veerapandiya Kattabomman led the revolt against British taxation; the Marudu Brothers later expanded the rebellion. |
| 1817 | Paika Rebellion | Odisha | Bakshi Jagabandhu (military chief of Khurda) led the Paikas; Krushna Chandra Bhramarbar Ray supported the uprising. |
| 1818–1831 | Bhil Rebellion | Western India | Tribal resistance involving Govind Guru, Tantya Bhil, Bhima Naik, Kaja Naik, Nadir Singh, Dalla, Deva, Onkar Rawat, Anupji Bhil, Gandharva Bhil, Dhan Singh and other Bhil chiefs. |
| 1828 | Brahmo Samaj | Bengal | Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy; later developed by Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen promoting monotheism and social reform. |
| 1829–1833 | Khasi Rebellion | Meghalaya | Led by Tirot Singh along with Bar Manik and Sngap Sing Syiem, opposing British road construction and expansion. |
| 1831–32 | Kol Uprising | Chotanagpur | Tribal leaders Budhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, Jhindrai Manki, Gonoo, and Madara Mahato led the revolt against exploitation by British and landlords. |
| 1848 | Women Education Movement | Maharashtra | Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule pioneered modern female education and opened schools for girls. |
| 1855–56 | Santhal Rebellion | Jharkhand | Led by brothers Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu with support from Chand Murmu and Bhairav Murmu. Women leaders Phulo and Jhano also played active roles. |
| 1856 | Widow Remarriage Reform | Bengal | Reform movement led by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, resulting in the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act (1856). |
| 1859–60 | Indigo Revolt | Bengal | Peasant uprising led by Digambar Biswas, Bishnu Biswas; supported by journalist Harish Chandra Mukherjee. Other local leaders included Kader Molla and Rafique Mondal. |
| 1867 | Prarthana Samaj | Bombay | Founded by Atmaram Pandurang; important reformers included Mahadev Govind Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar. |
| 1873 | Satyashodhak Samaj | Maharashtra | Founded by Jyotirao Phule; supported by Savitribai Phule, Gopal Baba Walangkar, Krishnarao Bhalekar, Narayan Meghaji Lokhande, and later Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. |
| 1875 | Deccan Riots | Maharashtra | Revolt of peasants against moneylenders due to heavy debts and exploitative practices. |
| 1875 | Arya Samaj | Bombay | Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati advocating “Back to the Vedas”; later promoted by Lala Lajpat Rai and Mahatma Hansraj. |
| 1899–1900 | Munda Rebellion | Jharkhand | Led by Birsa Munda, who launched the Ulgulan (Great Tumult) against British rule and landlord exploitation; Gaya Munda also participated. |
| 1905 | Swadeshi Movement | Bengal | Prominent leaders included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, Aurobindo Ghosh, Surendranath Banerjee, and Rabindranath Tagore. |
| 1916 | Home Rule Movement | India | Led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. Supporters included Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Joseph Baptista, G.S. Khaparde, Surendranath Banerjee, Madan Mohan Malviya, and Motilal Nehru. |
| 1917 | Champaran Satyagraha | Bihar | Led by Mahatma Gandhi after invitation from Raj Kumar Shukla. Support came from Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, J.B. Kripalani, Mazharul Haque, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, and others. |
| 1918 | Kheda Satyagraha | Gujarat | Guided by Mahatma Gandhi; organized locally by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with help from Indulal Yagnik, Mohanlal Pandya, Shankarlal Banker, Mahadev Desai, Narhari Parikh, and Ravi Shankar Vyas. |
| 1919–1924 | Khilafat Movement | India | Initiated by the Ali Brothers – Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. Other leaders included Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Hasrat Mohani, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, Maulana Abdul Bari, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari, and Barrister Jan Muhammad Junejo. |
| 1920–1922 | Non-Cooperation Movement | India | National leadership by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad. Regional leaders included C.R. Das, Subhas Chandra Bose, Motilal Nehru, Baba Ram Chandra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Saifuddin Kitchlew, C. Rajagopalachari, T. Prakasam, Alluri Sitaram Raju, Ali Musaliar, Kunhammad Haji. |
| 1921 | Moplah Rebellion | Kerala | Main leader Variyankunnath Kunjahammed Haji declared a Khilafat-inspired local government. Other leaders included Ali Musliyar, Sithi Koya Thangal, Chembrasery Imbichi Koya Thangal, Konnara Thangal, M.P. Narayana Menon, K. Moideenkutti Haji. |
| 1922–24 | Rampa Rebellion | Andhra | Led by Alluri Sitarama Raju against forest laws; supported by tribal leaders Gantam Dora and Mallu Dora and the Koya tribal community. |
| 1924 | Vaikom Satyagraha | Kerala | Initiated by T.K. Madhavan; other leaders included K.P. Kesava Menon, K. Kelappan, George Joseph, E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar), Mannath Padmanabhan, and spiritual support from Sree Narayana Guru. |
| 1925 | Self-Respect Movement | Tamil Nadu | Founded by E.V. Ramasamy “Periyar” promoting anti-caste ideology, rationalism and women’s rights. Contributors included W.P.A. Soundara Pandian, Annai Meenambal Sivaraj, Veerammal, and Gora. |
| 1927 | Mahad Satyagraha | Maharashtra | Led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to assert Dalit rights to public water at Chavdar Tank. Supporters included Surendranath Tipnis, A.V. Chitre, G.N. Sahasrabuddhe, and thousands of Dalit participants. |
| 1928 | Bardoli Satyagraha | Gujarat | Led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who earned the title “Sardar.” Gandhi offered guidance. Organizers included Ravi Shankar Vyas, Jugatram Dave, Kalyanji Mehta, Kunvarji Mehta, Dayalji Desai, Narhari Parikh. |
| 1930 | Civil Disobedience Movement | India | Initiated by Mahatma Gandhi with the Salt Satyagraha. Other leaders included Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Sardar Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, Sarojini Naidu, Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamladevi Chattopadhyay, Hansaben Mehta, Rani Gaidinliu, Chandraprabha Saikiani. |
| 1930 | Chittagong Armoury Raid | Bengal | Revolutionary action led by Surya Sen (Masterda). Associates included Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Bal, Ananta Singh, Ambika Chakraborty, Kalpana Dutta, Pritilata Waddedar, Tarakeswar Dastidar, Nirmal Sen. |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement | India | Led by Mahatma Gandhi with slogan “Do or Die.” Leaders included Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad. Underground activists: Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Aruna Asaf Ali, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kriplani, Usha Mehta. |
| 1946 | Tebhaga Movement | Bengal | Led by Bhowani Sen, Haji Mohammad Danesh, Charu Majumdar, Mani Singh, Hare Krishna Konar, and women leaders Ila Mitra, Bimola Mandal, Sudipa Sen. |
| 1946 | Telangana Rebellion | Hyderabad | Leaders included Ravi Narayana Reddy, Puchalapalli Sundarayya, Makhdoom Mohiuddin, Baddam Yella Reddy, Chandra Rajeswara Rao, Mallu Swarajyam, Chakali Ilamma, Doddi Komarayya, Swami Ramananda Tirtha, Kaloji Narayana Rao, Komaram Bheem (inspirational figure). |
| Year | Movement | Major Reasons / Causes |
|---|---|---|
| 1763–1800 | Sannyasi Rebellion | • British revenue restrictions on pilgrims and ascetics. • Famine of 1770 devastated Bengal economy. • Heavy taxation imposed by the East India Company. • Decline of traditional patronage from local rulers. |
| 1766–1816 | Chuar Rebellion | • High land revenue demand by the British. • Displacement of tribal chiefs (zamindars). • Loss of forest and grazing rights. • Economic hardship among tribal peasants. |
| 1799–1805 | Polygar Rebellion | • British attempt to abolish Polygar (Palayakkarar) system. • Excessive tribute demands. • Reduction of local political autonomy. • British efforts to centralize administration. |
| 1817 | Paika Rebellion | • British land revenue settlement affecting Paika jagirs. • Loss of hereditary military privileges of Paikas. • Economic distress in Odisha. • British interference in traditional governance. |
| 1818–1831 | Bhil Rebellion | • British intrusion into tribal territories. • Loss of forest resources. • Exploitation by moneylenders and landlords. • Collapse of traditional tribal authority. |
| 1829–1833 | Khasi Rebellion | • British plan to build military road through Khasi hills. • Threat to tribal independence. • Fear of British political control. |
| 1831–32 | Kol Uprising | • Encroachment by outsiders (dikus) on tribal lands. • Exploitation by moneylenders and traders. • British administrative changes disturbing traditional tribal systems. |
| 1855–56 | Santhal Rebellion | • Oppressive zamindari system. • Exploitation by moneylenders (mahajans). • Land alienation of Santhal tribes. • British administrative and revenue policies. |
| 1859–60 | Indigo Revolt | • Forced indigo cultivation under Tinkathia system. • Low payments to peasants by planters. • Coercion and violence by European planters. • Declining soil fertility due to indigo farming. |
| 1875 | Deccan Riots | • Heavy indebtedness of peasants. • Exploitation by moneylenders (sahukars). • High land revenue demands. • Fall in cotton prices after American Civil War. |
| 1899–1900 | Munda Rebellion | • Land alienation under British rule. • Exploitation by dikus (outsiders). • Introduction of zamindari system in tribal areas. • Religious awakening under Birsa Munda. |
| 1905 | Swadeshi Movement | • Partition of Bengal (1905) by Lord Curzon. • Rise of nationalist sentiment. • Protest against divide and rule policy. • Demand for economic self-reliance (Swadeshi). |
| 1916 | Home Rule Movement | • Growing demand for self-government (Home Rule). • Dissatisfaction with British wartime policies. • Influence of Irish Home Rule movement. |
| 1917 | Champaran Satyagraha | • Tinkathia system forcing indigo cultivation. • Exploitation by European planters. • Poor living conditions of peasants. |
| 1918 | Kheda Satyagraha | • Crop failure due to famine. • British refusal to reduce land revenue. • Severe economic hardship of farmers. |
| 1919–1924 | Khilafat Movement | • Abolition threat to Ottoman Caliphate after WWI. • Anger against Treaty of Sèvres. • Muslim concern for Caliph as religious head. |
| 1920–22 | Non-Cooperation Movement | • Rowlatt Act (1919) restricting civil liberties. • Jallianwala Bagh massacre. • Support for Khilafat cause. • Demand for Swaraj (self-rule). |
| 1921 | Moplah Rebellion | • Agrarian tension between Muslim tenants and Hindu landlords. • Influence of Khilafat movement. • Long-standing economic exploitation. |
| 1922–24 | Rampa Rebellion | • Forest laws restricting tribal access. • Forced labor and taxes on tribals. • Exploitation by colonial officials. |
| 1924 | Vaikom Satyagraha | • Untouchability restrictions on temple roads. • Demand for social equality. • Reform movements inspired by Sree Narayana Guru. |
| 1927 | Mahad Satyagraha | • Dalits denied access to public water sources. • Demand for social equality and civil rights. • Fight against untouchability practices. |
| 1928 | Bardoli Satyagraha | • 30% increase in land revenue by British government. • Severe agricultural distress. • Demand for fair taxation. |
| 1930 | Civil Disobedience Movement | • Protest against Salt Tax. • Demand for Purna Swaraj (complete independence). • Opposition to colonial economic exploitation. |
| 1930 | Chittagong Armoury Raid | • Revolutionary response to British repression. • Desire to overthrow colonial rule through armed struggle. |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement | • Failure of Cripps Mission (1942). • Growing demand for immediate independence. • Discontent due to WWII economic hardships. |
| 1946 | Tebhaga Movement | • Sharecroppers demanded two-third share (Tebhaga) of produce. • Exploitation by jotedars (landlords). • Support from Kisan Sabha and Communist Party. |
| 1946 | Telangana Rebellion | • Oppression under Nizam’s feudal system. • Exploitation by zamindars and jagirdars. • Forced labor (Vetti system). • Peasant mobilization led by Communist Party. |
| Leader | No. of Movements | Movements Participated |
|---|---|---|
| Mahatma Gandhi | 8 | • Champaran Satyagraha (1917) • Kheda Satyagraha (1918) • Khilafat Movement (1919–1924) • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) • Vaikom Satyagraha (1924) • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) • Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | 4 | • Kheda Satyagraha (1918) • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) • Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | 3 | • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) • Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | 3 | • Khilafat Movement (1919–1924) • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) • Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Narhari Parikh | 3 | • Champaran Satyagraha (1917) • Kheda Satyagraha (1918) • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) |
| Mahadev Desai | 3 | • Champaran Satyagraha (1917) • Kheda Satyagraha (1918) • Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) |
| Ali Brothers (Mohammad Ali & Shaukat Ali) | 2 | • Khilafat Movement (1919–1924) • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) |
| Surendranath Banerjee | 2 | • Swadeshi Movement (1905) • Home Rule Movement (1916) |
| Lala Lajpat Rai | 2 | • Swadeshi Movement (1905) • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) |
| C. Rajagopalachari | 2 | • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) |
| Indulal Yagnik | 2 | • Kheda Satyagraha (1918) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) |
| K. Kelappan | 2 | • Vaikom Satyagraha (1924) • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) |
| Sarojini Naidu | 2 | • Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) • Quit India Movement (1942) |
| Subhas Chandra Bose | 2 | • Swadeshi Movement influence (1905) • Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) |