The
Sannyasi Rebellion or
Sannyasi Revolt (
Bengali: সন্ন্যাসী বিদ্রোহ,
The Monks' Rebellion) were the activities of
sannyasis and
fakirs (
Hindu and Muslim
ascetics, respectively) in
Bengal, India in the late 18th century. It is also known as the
Fakir-Sannyasi Rebellion (ফকির-সন্ন্যাসী বিদ্রোহ) which took place around
Murshidabad and
Baikunthupur forests of
Jalpaiguri. Historians have not only debated what events constitute the rebellion, but have also varied on the significance of the rebellion in Indian history. While some refer to it as an early war for
India's independence from foreign rule, since the right to collect tax had been given to the
British East India Company after the
Battle of Buxar in 1764, others categorize it as acts of violent banditry following the depopulation of the province, post the
Bengal famine of 1770.