In 1859–61, the district was one of the major areas involved in the Indigo revolt. Beginning in "Yusufshahi" period in 1873, the serfs resisted excessive demands of increased rents by feudal lords (zamindar), led by the "nouveau riches" Banerjees and Dwijendranath Tagore, by forming an Agrarian League. This largely peaceful movement found the support of the Lieutenant-governor of Bengal, George Campbell, who antagonised the absentee feudal lords. These protests are generally referred to as Pabna disturbances. In the following year, the district was one of the worst hit by famine. The peasants' demands were finally partially met with the Rent Law Act of 1885.