Explore the civil uprisings in Gorakhpur, Basti, and Bahraich in 1781, triggered by Warren Hastings' revenue policies. Learn about the causes, key events, and outcomes of the revolt against Major Hannay's oppressive demands.

Civil Uprisings in Gorakhpur, Basti, and Bahraich (1781): Economic and Social Causes

• Warren Hastings, to fund the war expenses against the Marathas and Mysore, devised a plan involving English officers as izaradars (revenue farmers) in Awadh.
• Major Alexander Hannay, who was well acquainted with the region, took on the role of izaradar in 1778.
• Hannay secured the izaras of Gorakhpur and Bahraich for an amount of 22 lakh rupees for one year.
• This was a secret experiment by the Company to assess the available surplus revenue in practice.

Impact of Hannay’s Revenue Demands: Uprising and Resistance

• Hannay’s oppressive revenue demands led to widespread panic in the region, which had flourished under the Nawab.
• The zamindars and cultivators rebelled against these unbearable exactions in 1781.
• Within weeks of the initial uprising, all of Hannay’s subordinates were either killed or besieged by zamindari guerilla forces.

Outcome of the 1781 Civil Uprising: Repercussions and Consequences

• Although the rebellion was eventually suppressed, Hannay was dismissed from his post.
• His izaras were forcibly removed, and the revenue collection system was reconsidered.