Dismantling The Feudal System
Banda Singh Bahadar, a Sikh warrior, bravely battled against the oppression of the Mughal empire and fought for the rights of the marginalized people of India during the 18th century. He had forged a reputation as a fierce and adept military leader, orchestrating successful campaigns against the Mughal empire and its allies, ultimately contributing to the Mughal empire’s decline. As a statesman, Banda Singh Bahadar dismantled the prevailing cruel systems of oppression and established a benevolent rule focused on justice and compassion. In the early 18th century, the globe was plagued by deep-rooted socio-economic issues such as feudalism, caste-based discrimination, and religious division (Historical Development of Sikhism: Religion to Politics, page 115, R. N. Singh (Ph. D.)). The Sikhs, guided by charismatic leaders like Guru Nanak patshah, Guru Gobind Singh patshah, and Banda Singh Bahadar, stood out as champions of a new ideology. Their mission was to confront the prevailing practices of inequality, slavery, and atrocities and pave the way for a more just and compassionate rule. The Lohgarh fort was the centre of the Sikh Kingdom and played a crucial role in shaping the course of mankind’s history.
On May 27, 1710 AD, Banda Singh Bahadar addressed a large gathering of people, including Sikh soldiers, peasants, traders, labourers and artisans at the Lohgarh fort. This historic occasion marked the birth of a new political order, which Guru Nanak sahib called Halimi Raj or the ‘Kingdom of God’. Under this system, all individuals, regardless of their caste, creed, race, or gender, would be treated as equals and have access to equal socio-economic opportunities.
General Banda Singh Bahadar made history by transferring land ownership from the state to the farmers and tillers, marking the first instance of such a practice in human history (Dhavan, Purnima (3 November 2011). When Sparrows Became Hawks: The Making of the Sikh Warrior Tradition, 1699-1799 AD. Oxford University Press, USA, page 51.). This move effectively eradicated the exploitative feudal system that had endured for centuries. Farmers were also exempted from paying blood-sucking land taxes to the state.
Banda Singh Bahadar’s vision of a society based on justice and equality was deeply rooted in the teachings of Guru Nanak sahib, the founder of the Humanity Revolution. He believed that God’s grace could be attained by serving humanity, oneness and fighting against social injustice. His actions were revolutionary because he challenged not just the feudal lords of the Mughal empire but also the prevailing societal and religious norms that supported discrimination and exploitation.
Banda Singh Bahadar’s efforts to establish a just and equitable society, however, were not without challenges. The Mughal army crushed his rebellion, and he was eventually captured, tortured, and executed in Delhi in 1716 AD. Nevertheless, his legacy is a beacon of hope for those who seek to challenge injustice and oppression. His ideas of political, social, and economic equality, which predated the French Revolution by almost seven decades, continue to inspire people worldwide to fight for a more just and equitable society. (In 1710 AD, the Sikh Revolution and, in 1789 AD, the French Revolution occurred, with the only similarity being abolishing the feudal system. The French Revolution aimed to overthrow the monarchy and the privileged classes, while the Sikh Revolution was against the world’s most powerful empire. In addition to abolishing feudalism, the Sikh revolution also sought to address social, gender and political equality and challenge the clergy’s supremacy. As such, the agenda of the Sikh Revolution at Lohgarh was far superior to that of the French Revolution.)
General Banda Singh Bahadar’s decision to abolish the feudal system was in line with the ideology of Guru Nanak patshah. Guru Nanak’s teachings emphasized equality, social justice, and the rejection of caste-based hierarchies, advocating for a society where everyone, regardless of social status, could live with dignity and equality.
Inspired by these principles, General Banda Singh Bahadar sought to create a more egalitarian society during his leadership. By dismantling the feudal system, he aimed to eliminate the oppressive structures that perpetuated inequality and exploitation. This action was consistent with Guru Nanak’s vision of a just and fair society, where wealth and power were not concentrated in the hands of a few, but distributed more equitably among the people.
This decision also resonated with broader Sikh principles of self-governance, community welfare, and resistance against tyranny and oppression, further demonstrating the continuity of Guru Nanak’s ideology in the actions of Banda Singh Bahadar.
The Sikh State and its Agrarian Economy
During medieval times, the peasantry faced dire conditions across the globe, and Europe witnessed numerous peasant uprisings (Andre de Vries (16 May 2007), Flanders A Cultural History, Oxford University Press, page 10). The Khalsa agrarian economy played a crucial role in the establishment of Halimi Raj. Before Guru Nanak patshah’s arrival, most peasant clans were landless, burdened with taxes, and depended on pastoral lands for cattle rearing, resulting in poor economic conditions, while food was essential for living, the food growers were often exploited and oppressed, leading to challenging livelihood circumstances. In the 16th century, the State owned all the land and imposed high land taxes, leading to impoverished economic conditions for farmers. Consequently, most of the population depended heavily on cattle rearing for their livelihood. Guru Nanak patshah began working towards uplifting the peasant and agrarian society. He mention farmers in his verses in Guru Granth sahib Ang- 595: –
man haalee kirsaanee karnee saram paanee tan khayt.
Make your mind the farmer, good deeds the farm, modesty the water, and your body the field.
Guru Nanak’s bani references various crops, such as barley, wheat, rice, cotton, coconut, mustard, mango, safflower, saffron, sesame, and sugarcane. Guru Nanak patshah selected the highly fertile lands of the eight Rivers, namely Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, and Ganga, as the epicenters of Halimi Raj.
Rai Bular Bhati, the ruler of Rai Bhoi-ki-Talwandi (now in Pakistan), donated 18,500 acres of land to Guru Nanak patshah (According to Garewal, Naveen S (May 26, 2007), Guru Nanak’s estate flourishes in Pakistan and the 18,500 acres of land donated by Rai Bular Bhati is now managed by the Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan). The land donated by Rai Bular Bhati was tax-free, and the farmers who settled on this land prospered because of the free tilling of land. They developed the Khalsa economy and used the income to support the Dharmsal/Langar of Guru Nanak patshah. He was in his early twenties, and from here, He started the first settlement of farmers on this land.
The Sikh demographic settlements began in Manakpur near Lahore, with a significant portion of land being purchased by Banjara Sikhs for this purpose. These Sikh settlements were not limited to the Indian subcontinent but extended globally. The 35 saints whose writings are present in the Guru Granth sahib all contributed to the establishment of Sikh demographic settlements. Sufi Pirs, Banjara Sikhs, and Monarchs who embraced Sikhism also significantly contributed to this mission. Their collective efforts helped to create a strong and vibrant Sikh economy with a presence in various parts of the world.
After completing his missionary work, Guru Nanak engaged in farming. Guru Nanak patshah established the town of Kartarpur along the Ravi River by ploughing fields and starting a community kitchen, or Langar. He gathered many people in the area and lived there for 18 years, engaging in farming until his passing on 22nd September 1539 AD (The Sikh Review, page 89). The farmer contributed majorly to langar (free Kitchen) at Dharmsal of Guru Nanak patshah. Farming involved significant physical work, and the plentiful food supply contributed to the farmers’ strong physical health. These farmers also actively participated in Khalsa militarization, showcasing their physical strength and dedication to the cause of Halimi Raj. Aurangzeb established free kitchens run by mansabdars as a competition to Sikh institutions, however, they were shut down within a year (Neera Darbari , Northern India Under Aurangzeb Social and Economic Condition books, page 14).During Banda Singh Bahadar, Sikh peasants became a considerable force within the Sikh army and significantly overthrew the Mughal empire.
Sikh Land Reform: Empowering Farmers Through Tiller's Ownership
In a unique historical development, the concept of land ownership based on cultivation, known as the “tiller’s ownership,” was introduced in the Sikh state in the early 18th century under the leader of Banda Singh Bahadar, a first in the world (The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Economic Ethics, page 99, Albino Barrera, Professor of Economics and Theology Albino Barrera, Roy C. Amore, 2024). This marked the abolition of the feudal system, where the nobility or the ruling class traditionally owned land, and the peasants were merely tenants or serfs working on the land. The Sikh revolution brought about a significant shift in the social and economic structure of the region, empowering the farmers and providing them with a sense of security and autonomy over their land.