When we talk about India’s freedom struggle, we often recall the fiery speeches of Mahatma Gandhi, the bravery of Bhagat Singh, and the vision of Jawaharlal Nehru. Yet, beyond the cities and political meetings, there were other heroes—simple, humble people who fought not for fame, but for the rights of those who fed the nation. Among them was Baba Ramchandra, a saintly figure who became the symbol of peasant awakening in Awadh (Uttar Pradesh).
Baba Ramchandra’s movement was not just a fight against British colonialism. It was a struggle against feudal oppression, unpaid labor, and injustice that had chained the rural poor for centuries. Through his faith, simplicity, and courage, he transformed the peasants of northern India into a powerful force that demanded dignity and fairness.
Early Life: A Journey from Maharashtra to Awadh
Baba Ramchandra was born as Shri Shridhar Balwant Jadhav around 1864 in the Nasirpur village of Maharashtra. His early life was modest, but from a young age, he showed signs of spiritual inclination and a deep sense of empathy for others. He was drawn to religious texts, especially the Ramcharitmanas—a version of the Ramayana written in the local language, which spoke about justice, truth, and righteousness.
In his youth, Ramchandra went to Fiji as an indentured laborer, like many Indians during the British period who were taken overseas to work on sugar plantations. This experience became a defining chapter of his life. He witnessed firsthand how Indian workers were tricked, humiliated, and treated like slaves by their colonial masters.
The cruelty of the plantation system left a deep mark on his mind. He realized that oppression was not just local—it was part of a larger system of imperial exploitation. When he finally returned to India around 1909, he was a changed man. He renounced worldly comforts, took the name “Baba Ramchandra,” and decided to dedicate his life to serving the poor.
Becoming a Saint of the People
After his return, Baba Ramchandra began to travel across the villages of Awadh, carrying only a copy of the Ramcharitmanas. He was simple in appearance—a saffron robe, a walking stick, and a calm yet powerful presence. He would sit under trees or in temple courtyards and recite verses from the Ramayana, explaining their meaning to the poor and uneducated farmers who gathered around him.
But his message was not only spiritual—it was deeply social and political. He used the language of faith to teach peasants about their rights and self-respect.
He would say that Rama stood for justice, and that if Rama could defeat Ravana, then the peasants too could defeat the forces of exploitation. To Baba Ramchandra, religion was not about blind devotion; it was about creating a moral society where no one was oppressed.
His sermons became so popular that people began to see him as a holy leader who spoke for their pain. Slowly, he started organizing villagers to resist the injustices they faced daily.
The Plight of Peasants in Awadh
To understand Baba Ramchandra’s movement, one must understand the harsh realities faced by the peasants of Awadh under British rule.
The region was controlled by taluqdars—large landlords who collected taxes from the peasants. These landlords were supported by the British administration, which used them to maintain control over rural areas.
Peasants had to:
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Pay very high rents, often half or more of their produce,
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Perform begar (unpaid labor) on the landlord’s farms,
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Endure beatings, insults, and illegal evictions, and
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Borrow money at unfair interest rates, trapping them in lifelong debt.
Many peasants lost their land and worked almost like bonded laborers. They lived in extreme poverty, with no hope of improvement.
It was in this environment that Baba Ramchandra’s voice rose—a voice that gave courage to the voiceless.
The Spark of a Movement
By 1919, Baba Ramchandra’s message had spread across the districts of Faizabad, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, and Sultanpur. Wherever he went, he spoke in simple words that touched people’s hearts. His followers began to gather in large numbers, reciting “Sita-Ram” and singing devotional songs that also carried messages of protest.
These gatherings soon became mass meetings, where farmers shared their problems and pledged to fight peacefully for their rights.
Baba Ramchandra emphasized non-violence, unity, and faith. He taught peasants to stand together and demand fair treatment. This grassroots awakening gradually grew into what historians now call the Awadh Peasant Movement.
Formation of the Awadh Kisan Sabha
In October 1919, Baba Ramchandra and a few educated nationalists such as Gauri Shankar Misra, J.B. Kripalani, and Jawaharlal Nehru came together to form the Awadh Kisan Sabha (Oudh Farmers’ Association).
The aims of the Sabha were clear:
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Reduction of land rent,
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Abolition of unpaid labor,
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Protection against illegal eviction,
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Fair share of produce for cultivators, and
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Respect for peasants’ rights.
The organization provided a platform for peasants to unite across villages and districts. Its meetings attracted thousands of people, often carrying religious symbols like flags of Sita-Ram, which blended faith with political protest.
Through pamphlets, songs, and public speeches, Baba Ramchandra spread awareness that injustice was not fate—it was a man-made evil that could be defeated through unity and courage.
Confrontation with British Power
The growing unity among peasants alarmed both the landlords and the British government. By 1920–1921, the movement had reached a scale that authorities could no longer ignore.
In several places, peasants began to refuse forced labor, boycott landlord estates, and protest against unfair rent collection. Some even organized peaceful marches to district offices demanding justice.
The British administration responded harshly. Police were sent to villages to suppress the meetings. Many peasants were beaten, jailed, or forced to pay fines. In June 1921, Baba Ramchandra himself was arrested under charges of sedition.
His arrest triggered a wave of anger and solidarity. Thousands of peasants across Awadh marched in protest, shouting his name and demanding his release. The British eventually realized that his imprisonment had only made him more popular, and he was later freed.
Collaboration and Differences with Congress
During this time, the Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was organizing the Non-Cooperation Movement. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru visited Awadh and met Baba Ramchandra to understand the peasant struggle.
Nehru was moved by what he saw—the hunger, the courage, and the simplicity of the people. He even wrote in his autobiography about how deeply the experience affected him.
However, there were ideological differences. Baba Ramchandra’s fight was mainly about economic and social justice—he wanted immediate relief for peasants. The Congress, on the other hand, had a broader focus on national independence.
Despite these differences, both sides benefited from each other. The peasants gained recognition, and the Congress realized the importance of including rural India in the freedom struggle.
Baba Ramchandra’s Beliefs and Philosophy
Baba Ramchandra’s teachings combined religion, morality, and equality in a unique way. He was deeply spiritual but believed that true religion meant fighting injustice.
Some of his key beliefs included:
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Every human being has the right to live with dignity.
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Land should belong to those who cultivate it.
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The exploitation of the poor is a sin against humanity.
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Social equality and compassion are the foundations of a just society.
He often said that “Swaraj (self-rule) has no meaning unless the poor are free from hunger and fear.”
Baba Ramchandra’s vision was close to Gandhian philosophy, but his work started before Gandhi’s major campaigns reached rural Awadh. He was, in many ways, a precursor to Gandhi’s idea of village-based freedom.
Decline of the Movement
After 1922, as the Non-Cooperation Movement was called off, the enthusiasm of the peasants slowly declined. The British and landlords used both force and manipulation to break their unity.
By the late 1920s, Baba Ramchandra had withdrawn from active politics. He returned to a quiet life of prayer and service. Yet, even in his later years, he continued to speak for the rights of the poor, traveling from village to village and spreading his message of equality.
He passed away in 1950, three years after India achieved independence. He lived long enough to see the end of British rule, though the full realization of his dream—land and dignity for all farmers—remained incomplete.
Legacy and Impact
Though not as famous as national leaders, Baba Ramchandra’s contribution to India’s freedom movement is both unique and enduring.
1. The First Organized Peasant Movement
He was one of the first leaders to mobilize peasants on a large scale. His movement gave birth to the concept of Kisan Sabhas (farmers’ associations), which later became an important part of India’s political life.
2. Linking Religion with Social Reform
He used religious language and symbols to inspire social change. By quoting from the Ramcharitmanas, he made complex ideas of justice and equality understandable to common people.
3. Foundation for Later Movements
The spirit of the Awadh peasant movement inspired later agrarian struggles across India, including the Eka Movement, the Telangana Rebellion, and the Tebhaga Movement in Bengal.
4. Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide
Baba Ramchandra helped connect urban nationalists with rural India, showing that the freedom struggle could not succeed without the participation of the millions who worked the land.
5. A Model of Moral Leadership
He lived a life of simplicity and sacrifice. Unlike many leaders, he had no personal ambitions. His strength came from his faith and his belief in the power of truth.
Baba Ramchandra in History and Memory
In independent India, Baba Ramchandra has been recognized as a pioneer of peasant rights. Roads, schools, and community centers in Uttar Pradesh bear his name. Historians now view his movement as one of the earliest expressions of rural nationalism—a movement that gave the poor their first experience of political power.
Yet, his name does not always appear prominently in textbooks. That is why it is important to remember him today—not just as a historical figure, but as a reminder that real freedom includes social justice, equality, and respect for labor.
Conclusion: The Saint Who Taught Farmers to Rise
Baba Ramchandra’s life is a shining example of how one person, armed only with faith and moral courage, can awaken an entire community. He did not fight with weapons or wealth. His strength came from his belief in truth, his love for the poor, and his unshakable sense of justice.
He taught the peasants of Awadh that they were not helpless—that their labor, unity, and moral strength could change history. His movement sowed the seeds of a larger revolution that would later help India break free from colonial rule.
Today, as we talk about farmers’ rights and social justice, Baba Ramchandra’s words still echo through time:
“The tiller of the soil is the true owner of the land.”
He remains a symbol of courage, compassion, and the enduring spirit of India’s villages—the forgotten saint who turned the voice of suffering into a song of freedom.
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