Communal Tensions and Revivalist Movements in Colonial Bihar: A Historical Analysis of the Emergence of Hindu-Muslim Conflict, 1908-1924

Abstract

This paper examines the emergence of revivalist and communal trends in colonial Bihar between 1908 and 1924, with a focus on the manipulation by the colonial state that led to the rise of these movements. The Arya Samaj movement, established in 1875, aimed to revitalize Vedic Hinduism and gained significant influence in Bihar through its advocacy for cow protection and the establishment of educational institutions, temples, and social welfare organizations. The movement’s impact was evident in the lives of Hindus in Bihar, with efforts to eliminate the practice of ‘untouchability’ and caste distinctions, promote women’s education and gender equality, and assist impoverished women and widows. However, the rise of revivalist movements and communalism led to increased tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities, culminating in violent conflicts such as the Shahabad riots in 1917.