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ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMI UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE PEASANT UNREST, COMMUNITY WARRIORS AND STATE POWER IN INDIA: THE CASE OF PRIVATE CASTE SENAS (ARMIES) IN BIHAR A Dissertation SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE COLLGE in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Ashwani Kumar Norman, Oklahoma 2003 UMI Number: 3082961 UMI” UMI Microform 3082961 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 © Copyright by ASHWANI KUMAR 2003 All Rights Reserved PEASANT UNREST, COMMUNITY WARRIORS AND STATE POWER IN INDIA: THE CASE OF PRIVATE CASTE SENAS (ARMIES) IN BIHAR A Dissertation APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE BY Dr. Robert Cox Dr. Gregory Russell Dr. Donald Maletz ^ Dr. Charles Kenney Dr. Todd Shepard Acknowledgements No human endeavor is possible without the cooperation of others. Writing dissertation is excruciatingly solitary experience but never entirely individual effort. In the process of putting together fragments of imagination, I have incurred many debts. I first would like to thank the members of my dissertation committee. I must say that this dissertation would not have been possible without the support and guidance of Dr. Robert Henry Cox. As the chair of my research committee, he gave me liberty to experiment with ideas while exposing me to the nuances of theoretical and methodological rigors in comparative politics. Dr. Cox is a great mentor indeed! Dr. Greg Russell was always encouraging and made me think in terms of border issues of politics. His admiration for intellectual dialogue is outstanding. Dr. Donald Maletz took deep interests in my training in political theory and made me appreciate all shades of political philosophy. Dr. Charles Ketmey gave me a sophisticated sense of politics especially in the developing world and also took keen interest in my intellectual growth. His theoretical insights have led me think about India more in terms of democracy rather than a unique cultural artifact. Dr. Todd Shepard not only appreciated the thick description of the dissertation but also helped shape the analytical design of the narrative. Before leaving Norman, Dr. Vinay Dharwadker, currently Director of Center for South Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, gave me wonderful support as member of the research committee. During innumerable conversations, he gave me the benefit of his extraordinary readings of India history, caste and politics that animate this dissertation. Dr. Steve Sloan was especially encouraging in supporting my research. His wonderful sense of humor and great friendliness made me overcome iv challenges of living several thousand miles away from home. Dr. Brian Taylor has always been a great source of insight and advice especially on the role of state formation and violence in many places around the world. I thank Ambassador Edward Perkins, Dr. Keith Gaddie, Dr. Cindy Rosenthal, and Dr. Raadschelders for their support to my work. I also like to place on record the excellent proofreading support provided by my friend Chris Grossman. I am also greatly indebted to the University of Oklahoma for awarding me Robberson Research Grant, Robberson Conference Travel Grant, Graduate College Tuition Waivers, and Leek Memorial Scholarships that helped facilitate my research in the USA and India. I also want to thank Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, for granting me sabbatical leave to do doctoral work in the USA. Life in the “ Bull Pen” in Norman as a doctoral student would have been impossible without the great friendship of fellow members of my graduate cohort. This is also an occasion to acknowledge all the persons including my family members in the USA, Delhi, Patna, and Gaya for helping me. They not only sustained my daily mundane needs but also took deep interests in my scholarly quest. I also like to convey a deep sense of gratitude to my parents for their love. One of the greatest regrets of my doctoral education in the USA was the sad demise of my mother in my absence in India. Therefore, I dedicate this dissertation to the memory of my mother. Last but not least, life without my wife Shinjini is impossible. Like everything else in my life, this dissertation belongs to her. She read through repeated drafts of my work and shared the joy and blues of my intellectual pursuits. The energy and enthusiasm that took to finish this work have come from my sons, Shantanu and Rishav. Thanks Shinjini and my sweet little kittens! TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES____________________________________________________________________________ VIII ABSTRACT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IX CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION _________________________________________________________________ 1 SUBJECT AND SIGNIFICANCE...........................................................................................................................................1 T heoretical Hypotheses ............................................................................................................................................5 Literature Review : Class Struggles , Caste W ars a nd State Po w er....................................................7 T heoretical Fram ew ork : State -Society P erspective and the case o f B ihar ...................................17 Research m eth o d .......................................................................................................................................................20 D ata Sou rc es ............................................................................................................................................................... 22 F ield Work M ethodology ......................................................................................................................................22 Co n clu sion ....................................................................................................................................................................24 CHAPTER II : SETTING THE STAGE: LAND, CASTE AND AGRARIAN STRUGGLES IN BIHAR _________________________________________________________________________________________25 T he Land and the People......................................................................................................................................... 26 D emographic and Social C haracteristics o f Biha r : C entral B ihar and N orth B ihar .............. 27 C aste and Class in B ih a r ........................................................................................................................................ 33 From L imited Raj to Local Raj in B ih a r ........................................................................................................... 43 AGRARIAN S truggles , Caste , a nd Social V iolence in B ihar : ...................................................................45 (i) Gandhian Peasant Movement in North Bihar;................................................................................45 (ii) Backward Castes and Peasant riots;............................................................................................. 46 (Hi) Zamindars (Landlords), Tenants and Kisan Sabha; ......................................................................49 (iv) The Failure o f Land Reforms and the Impact of Green Revolution in post-independence era 52 (v) The Dance of Shiva (Maharudra); Maoist Agrarian Struggles in Bihar ........................................55 C oncentration of A grarian Struggles and Caste arm ies in C entral B iha r ..................................62 (i) Capitalist Transformation in Central Bihar....................................................................................62 (ii) History of Agrarian Struggles in Central Bihar .............................................................................66 (Hi) Social Oppression and Cultural Traits;........................................................................................ 68 CHAPTER III: POLITICAL POWER STRUGGLES AND THE DECLINE OF STATE POWER IN BIHAR ____________________________________________________________________________ 74 D om inance and D ecline of th e C ongress Pa