The movement sparked off in January 1926 when the authorities decided to increase the land revenue by 30 per cent.
In February 1926, Vallabhbhai Patel was called to lead the movement. The women of Bardoli gave him the title of “Sardar”.
Under Patel, the Bardoli peasants resolved to refuse payments of the revised assessment until the Government appointed an independent tribunal or accepted the current amount as full payment.
Methodology:
To organise the movement, Patel set up 13 chhavanis or workers’ camps in the taluqa.
Bardoli Satyagraha Patrika was brought out to mobilise public opinion.
An intelligence wing was set up to make sure all the tenants followed the movement’s resolutions.
Those who opposed the movement faced a social boycott.
Special emphasis was placed on the mobilisation of women.
K.M. Munshi and Lalji Naranji resigned from the Bombay Legislative Council in support of the movement.
Finally the government found that the revenue hike to be unjustified and recommended a rise of 6.03 per cent only.
