Sannyasi rebellion

Common card · No. 294261

The Sannyasi rebellion or Fakir revolt (Bengali: সন্ন্যাসী/সাধু বিদ্রোহ, lit. 'monk's rebellion') was a revolt by sannyasis, sadhus, and fakirs (ascetics) against the rule of the British East India Company (EIC) in Bengal and Bihar (1763–1800). In the eighteenth century, Majnu Shah, Chirag Ali, Musa Shah, Bhawani Pathak and Debi Chaudhurani were the main leaders of the Sannyasi rebellion. A colonial district gazetteer describes Bhavani Pathak as a native of Bajpur in Rangpur district, active as a leader of dacoits in league with Majnu Shah during the late eighteenth century. A large body of sannyasis travelled annually from northern India to different parts of Bengal to visit shrines. En route to the shrines, it was customary for many of these ascetics to be bestowed with religious grants from the headmen and zamindars or regional landlords. In times of prosperity, the headmen and zamindars generally obliged. However, since the East India Company had received the diwani or right to collect...

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