Story Brunch
Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar witnessed the rise of feared yet popular figures called Bahubalis in the 1980s and 90s. These men often commanded large groups of loyal followers. They had easy access to weapons and did not hesitate to use violence to maintain their control. Many small towns and villages found themselves under the authority of these strongmen, rather than the official government. Local people looked to them for settling disputes, solving land issues, and even seeking protection from rival gangs. Their commands were final, and few dared to question their power.
Despite their reputation for murder, kidnapping, and smuggling, Bahubalis managed to gain respect and admiration from parts of the local population.
They offered a form of street justice in regions where the government machinery had broken.
Over time, these men realized the potential of politics to cement their authority. Many entered the political arena and won elections, filling the Bihar and UP assemblies with individuals who had dark criminal backgrounds. Thus, they merged raw muscle power with political influence, further strengthening their hold on society.
A big reason behind the rise of Bahubalis was the poor economic situation of Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh in the 1990s. Both regions lagged behind as India introduced its liberalization, privatization, and globalization reforms and other states, specially the Southern states benefitted from LPG reforms in 1990s. Caste politics remained strong, and local leaders seemed more interested in securing votes than creating new jobs. Hence Bihar could not take advantage of the LPG reforms introduced in 1990s, there being many other factors too. Impact of being left behind other states in that era can be seen and felt even today in Bihar.
Bihar, in particular, suffered from negative growth rates in 1990s.
This meant fewer employment opportunities, pushing many young men to seek quick money through crime. The state machinery was weak under Lalu Yadav government, and many rural areas had little government presence, creating the perfect space for strongmen to take over.
Fight for Govt. Contracts and Railway Tenders
Government contracts, especially those related to railways and infrastructure, offered huge profits. To win such contracts, Bahubalis relied on intimidation, violence, and political connections. Kidnapping and extortion became other sources of income, while bank robberies provided quick cash to fund their operations. Criminals who survived these dangerous paths rose up in rank. They built networks of loyal men, acquired weapons, and gained influence over entire towns. When some of these Bahubalis joined politics, their dominance and glamour of power inspired many other youngsters to follow the same route of crime and underworld. After all, gaining both power and public respect seemed within reach for those who could display raw strength and force.
Robinhood Image
In many places, the government machinery had become weak or completely broken. The police often did not respond swiftly, and courts were slow. People grew frustrated with the official channels. They found that one direct order from a Bahubali could solve their problems.
A land dispute, a minor theft, or harassment of women by local goons could be settled in minutes by these strongmen.
In return, people were ready to overlook the dark side of their heroes. They saw them as protectors who offered instant justice where the police failed.
Moreover, these Bahubalis knew how to show kindness in ways that mattered to ordinary folk. They knew public support was necessary to gain politically. They helped poor patients get free treatment by threatening doctors who refused them. They forced local officials to do their jobs. Even cases of eve-teasing found quick resolution at the hands of these strongmen. Above all, many were easily approachable unlike the bureaucrats and politicians. Over time, such actions created a ‘Robin Hood’ image around them. Local residents felt secure and even grateful, forgetting that the same men also ran criminal networks to maintain their grip on power.
Caste Bahubalis
Caste politics played a big role in the rise of these Bahubalis. Leaders like Lalu Yadav openly showed bias against certain upper castes, making them feel threatened and ignored. This drove many people to support criminals from their own communities. Bhumihars backed Bahubalis like Dileep Singh, Suraj Bhan Singh, and Chhotan Shukla. Rajputs rallied behind Anand Mohan. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav’s own Yadav community supported figures like Pappu Yadav.
These men became local icons and were viewed as defenders of caste pride in a hostile political climate.
In Uttar Pradesh, especially in Purvanchal, the criminal underworld also split along caste lines. Many Brahmins rallied behind Harishankar Tiwari and Sri Prakash Shukla, while Rajput supporters sided with Virendra Pratap Shahi and Raghuraj Pratap Singh/ Raja Bhaiyya. This rivalry extended beyond political gatherings and into the streets. Each faction worked hard to protect its own interests, and this often turned bloody. The influence of caste was so strong that Bahubalis found themselves strengthened by a loyal base of followers who believed their power was the only way to safeguard their rights.
Online Caste Wars and Re-emergence of Bahubalis Legacy
Even today, the legacy of Bahubalis lives on, with their supporters actively engaging on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. These strongmen from the past continue to be celebrated as symbols of caste strength and pride. In a political and social environment deeply divided by caste conflicts, their rise represented defiance and dominance for their respective communities. During the 1990s, Bihar witnessed a series of brutal caste-based massacres, further entrenching divisions and fueling the need for caste icons. For many, Bahubalis became the embodiment of protection and power, filling the vacuum created by weak governance.
This pride often finds a loud voice in online spaces, where caste wars are waged through rhetoric and historical references. Supporters glorify these figures as defenders of their communities against oppression, overlooking their criminal pasts. The narratives surrounding Bahubalis have evolved into symbols of caste supremacy, deeply embedded in the psyche of their followers. These online battles are a modern extension of the deeply rooted caste dynamics that shaped the rise of these strongmen, keeping their legacy alive in the digital age.
Financial Aid in Poor Women’s Marriages
A key strategy used by these financially powerful Bahubalis was providing financial help for wedding ceremonies, especially in poor families from their own caste or community. They would show up at the wedding with money, gifts, and even food for the guests. Such grand gestures impressed local people, who saw them as generous benefactors rather than criminals. Over time, these acts built strong support for Bahubalis, turning them into community champions.
They were perceived as poor man’s messiahs in contrast to arrogant government servants.
Counter to Naxalites
Naxalism, which began in West Bengal, quickly spread to neighboring states, and Bihar became a strong center of this unrest. Radical communist groups threatened to seize lands from farmers and large landowners, causing widespread fear. In many regions, Bahubalis stepped in to stop these movements. They saw the spread of Naxalism as a direct threat to their influence and business interests. By driving away Naxal groups, these strongmen positioned themselves as protectors of property and local stability. Mohammad Shahabuddin in Siwan, Akhilesh Singh in Nawada, Pappu Yadav in Purnea thwarted the naxal threat in their regions of influence by responding in the language of violence.
In exchange for their support, these wealthy landowners provided financial backing and political goodwill. Consequently, Bahubalis not only gained more popularity but also secured their own control over the areas they ruled.
Their fight against Naxalism thus became another reason for communities—especially those with large landholdings—to see these strongmen as instrumental tools specially when police itself seemed to fail in tackling naxal violence.
Conclusion
In the end, the rise of Bahubali culture shows how a breakdown in law and order can create larger-than-life figures who fill the vacuum left by weak governance. Caste-based politics added fuel to the fire, turning these criminal strongmen into champions of their communities. Small yet public acts of kindness—like paying for weddings or helping the poor—boosted their image as local heroes. The youth, fascinated by their raw power and influence, saw them as role models.
In hindsight, it’s natural to criticize the supporters of many Bahubalis in that period, but their rise as neo-Robin Hoods reflects a grim reality of the 1990s—social compulsion born out of a government’s failure to safeguard lives and livelihoods, which led people to ignore even the most gruesome crimes committed by them.
Thus, muscle power blended with social approval and political clout to create the legendary Bahubalis of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
