Revisiting Some Aspects of the Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion in North Bengal 1763-1800

MITHUN KUMAR SAHA

Associate Professor, Department of History, University of Dhaka

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59815/bhs.vol2704

Abstract: The gravity of the armed conflicts of the forty year-long Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion was felt mostly in northern Bengal. Why so? It is necessary to understand the local aspects of this armed struggle within the structure of the whole movement. This paper aims to unearth the reasons of the Fakirs and Sannyasis’ travel to North Bengal. How far has the topography of northern districts served the rebels in their armed struggle? To what extent religious and economic interests guided their actions? What initiatives did the East India Company administration take to bring to end the ‘dakaiti’ of the Fakirs and Sannyasis? Company records, reports and documents, district gazetteers and some other colonial documents have been scrutinized along with some significant research works to find answers to these queries. Following the qualitative research methodology this paper concludes that the terrain and economic interests chiefly invited the wandering mendicants in North Bengal.

Key Words: Pilgrimage, Rent-free Land, Silk Trade, Terrain, Hideout, Military, Police.