Complete Notes on Bihar’s Freedom Movement for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025
History of Bihar-17
Here is a comprehensive timeline of Bihar’s Freedom Movement, highlighting major events, movements, leaders, and contributions — specially curated for BPSC preparation:
Timeline of Bihar’s Freedom Movement (1764–1947)
Colonial Conquest and Early Resistance
| 1764 | Battle of Buxar: British East India Company defeats Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah & Shah Alam II → British gain Diwani rights (Bihar, Bengal, Orissa). |
| 1781 | Revolt of Raja Chait Singh of Benares, supported by zamindars of Bihar against Warren Hastings. |
| 1793 | Permanent Settlement introduced by Lord Cornwallis → increased exploitation of peasants. |
| 1831–32 | Kol Rebellion (affected parts of South Bihar); tribal resistance against land dispossession. |
| 1855–56 | Santhal Rebellion (Santhal Hul): Led by Sidhu–Kanhu in Rajmahal Hills against British, zamindars, moneylenders. |
| 1857 | Revolt of 1857 in Bihar: Led by Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur, a prominent leader in the first war of independence. |
Gandhian Era and Mass Movements
| Year | Event |
| 1917 | Champaran Satyagraha: Gandhi’s first mass movement in India, led to abolition of Tinkathia system. |
| 1920–22 | Non-Cooperation Movement: Led in Bihar by Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul Haque, Srikrishna Sinha. Establishment of Bihar Vidyapeeth in Patna (1921). |
| 1927 | Simon Commission Boycott in Bihar by students and Congressmen. |
| 1930–34 | Civil Disobedience Movement: Salt satyagrahas, no-rent campaigns, led by Shafi Daudi, J.B. Kripalani, K.B. Sahay; active in Champaran, Gaya, Shahabad. |
| 1934 | Bihar Earthquake: Gandhi visits Bihar; Congress sets up relief work; increases Congress support. |
| 1937 | Congress Ministry in Bihar under Srikrishna Sinha after elections under Govt. of India Act, 1935. |
Quit India and Independence
| Year | Event |
| 1940 | Individual Satyagraha: Carried out by Ram Dhani Singh, Kameshwar Singh, and others in Bihar. |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement: Led by Jayaprakash Narayan, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Srikrishna Sinha; parallel governments formed in Darbhanga, Gaya, Bhagalpur. |
| 1942 | Escape of JP from Hazaribagh Jail; organizes underground movement. |
| 1946 | Cabinet Mission arrives; Bihar Congress leaders participate in negotiations. |
| 1947 | India achieves Independence (15 August). Srikrishna Sinha becomes first Chief Minister of Bihar. |
Freedom Fighters from Bihar
| Name | Contribution |
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad | President of INC; leader in Champaran, Non-Cooperation, Quit India; First President of India. |
| Jayaprakash Narayan | Socialist revolutionary; leader of Quit India’s underground movement. |
| Srikrishna Sinha | First CM of Bihar; led Congress ministries; jailed multiple times. |
| Anugrah Narayan Sinha | Deputy CM; active in Champaran, CDM, Quit India. |
| Kunwar Singh | Hero of 1857 revolt; fought till age 80 against British. |
| Mazharul Haque | Senior Congress leader; founder of Bihar Vidyapeeth. |
| Jaglal Choudhary | Peasant and social reform leader during Gandhian era. |
For BPSC Revision-Bihar’s freedom movement
- First Gandhian movement in Bihar: Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
- Hero of 1857 in Bihar: Kunwar Singh
- Famous underground leader in 1942: Jayaprakash Narayan
- Founder of Bihar Vidyapeeth: Rajendra Prasad
- First CM of Bihar (1947): Srikrishna Sinha
Many more Freedom fighters to be added