RAS question
Who led the second phase (1915-1923) of the Bijolia Peasant Movement?
Correct answer: (C) Vijay Singh Pathik.
Vijay Singh Pathik, whose real name was Bhup Singh, led the second phase of the Bijolia Peasant Movement from 1915 to 1923.
Explanation
The second phase of the Bijolia Peasant Movement is associated with Vijay Singh Pathik, also identified as Bhoop Singh or Bhup Singh. Wikipedia: Bijolia movement places his arrival in Bijolia in 1916 and says he organised the peasants under the Bijolia Kisan Panchayat to oppose war fund contributions and other taxes. From 1915, Pathik became the leader of the second phase, built organised peasant resistance through the Panchayat, and helped give the agitation wider visibility through press publicity, including Pratap. The movement continued under Pathik after inquiry commissions found the peasants' grievances genuine, making his leadership the key marker of the 1915-1923 phase.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Sadhu Sitaram Das is linked with the first phase, not with the 1915-1923 second phase.
- (B) Manikyalal Verma is associated with the third phase, not the second phase.
- (D) Bhup Singh was Vijay Singh Pathik's real name, so as a separate option it does not identify the public leader-name under which the second phase is recorded.
Concept
Phase-wise leadership is central to Rajasthan's peasant movements, a recurring RAS history theme because the movements involve dates, leaders, organisations and demands. Bijolia is especially important because it connects jagirdari exactions, peasant organisation and wider political publicity.