Role of Tribal Uprisings in Freedom Struggle

Tribal uprisings in British India were localized revolts led by indigenous communities against the colonial regime’s oppressive policies and exploitative practices. These movements highlighted tribal societies’ resilience in defending their cultural identity, land rights, and traditional autonomy. This article aims to study in detail the causes, key uprisings, and their impact on the broader freedom struggle.

About Tribal Uprisings in British India

• The establishment of colonial rule also affected the tribal people. Living outside the boundary of the mainstream population, the tribals lived in their own world governed by their traditions and customs.
• The colonial government extended its authority to the tribal lands, and the tribals were subjected to various extortions.
• These movements were isolated outbursts against local grievances, which were primarily economic.
• The primary targets were local vested interests; British official agencies were dragged into the conflict, generally because of grave questions of law and order.
• The law introduced by British rulers was sophisticated enough to suit tribal customs regarding property—those relating to joint ownership of land by a tribal community, for instance.
• Money-lenders, traders and land grabbers penetrated into tribal areas and exploited the simple, illiterate people whom law and order did not protect.
• Increasing official control of forest zone for revenue purposes disturbed tribal economy.
• They lost opportunities to shift cultivation, customary rights to use forest land for grazing, and use forest timber as fuel, and found themselves exposed to exploitation by forest contractors.
• The spread of Christianity by European missionaries disintegrated their traditional religious life. The new religion also affected their social customs and habits of life.
• This happened mainly in Bihar and the Assam hills. These revolts were important from historical point of view because they throw light upon the sufferings of a section of the people who were not politically vocal. Whom the politicians engaged did not try to mobilize against foreign rule.

Tribal Uprisings in Eastern India

Sanyasi Revolt (1770–1820s)

• Triggered by the British economic policies and harshness, especially after they gained Diwani Rights in Bengal. The famine of 1770 exacerbated the crisis for peasants and zamindars.
• Hindu Naga and Giri Sanyasis, previously part of local armies, rebelled when pilgrims were restricted from visiting holy sites.
• The Sanyasis raided British establishments, collecting “contributions” forcibly. This led to a prolonged conflict spanning five decades.
• Bankim Chandra Chatterjee immortalized this revolt in his novel Anandmath, which also includes the famous patriotic hymn Vande Mataram.

Chuar and Ho Risings (1768–1837)

• Economic hardships like famine and enhanced revenue demands caused revolts by Chuar tribes in Midnapore (Bengal).
• Rajas of Dhalbhum and Barabhum led early revolts using scorched-earth strategies. Similarly, the Ho and Munda tribes in Chhota Nagpur challenged British authority in the 1820s and 1830s.
• These uprisings highlighted tribal resistance against exploitation by landowners and revenue officials.

Kol Rebellion (1831)

• Occurred in Chhota Nagpur when land owned by Kols was transferred to outsiders like Sikhs and Muslims. This disrupted their socio-economic systems.
• Kol rebels killed or expelled thousands of outsiders and attacked Ranchi, Singhbhum, and Hazaribagh. British suppression followed extensive military operations.

Santhal Rebellion (1855–1856)

• Economic exploitation by dikus (outsiders) like moneylenders, merchants, and zamindars created deep unrest among the Santhals in Bihar and Odisha regions.
• Led by Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, the Santhals sought to overthrow oppressive structures and set up their government. They attacked British symbols like railways and administrative offices.
• The British suppressed the rebellion in 1856 but created the Santhal Pargana district to pacify the region.

Kharwar Uprising (1870s)

• It began as a religious reform movement preaching monotheism. Later, it evolved into a rebellion against revenue settlement operations.
• Though suppressed, the movement underscored the tribals’ resentment against British economic exploitation.

Munda Rebellion (1890s)

• Under Birsa Munda, the Mundas of Chhota Nagpur fought against land encroachment by thikadars and moneylenders.
• The rebellion sought to restore Munda traditional land rights and overthrow British officials. Birsa proclaimed a divine mandate, earning him the title Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth).
• Suppressed in 1900 after Birsa’s capture and death, but it remains a symbol of tribal resistance.

Khond Uprising (1837–1856)

• The Khonds of Odisha revolted against British interference in their customs, particularly human sacrifices, and forced conversions to Christianity.
• Led by Chakra Bisoi, the Khonds used guerrilla tactics but were eventually subdued by British forces.

Paika Rebellion (1817)

• The Paikas of Odisha, peasant militia serving Gajapati kings, rebelled when their rent-free lands were taken.
• Under Baxi Jagabandhu, the rebellion spread widely, attacking British symbols of authority. Though suppressed within three months, it is remembered as a significant anti-colonial revolt.

Tana Bhagat Movement (1914)

• Initiated by Jatra Oraon, this movement among the Oraon tribe rejected traditional beliefs, animal sacrifice, and labour for landlords.
• Linked with the Congress and Gandhian principles, the Tana Bhagats resisted British taxes and participated in ghost-hunting rituals as part of their reform.

Tribal Revolts in Western India

Bhil Revolt (1817–1846)

• The Bhils of Khandesh revolted repeatedly against British revenue policies and economic hardships. The declining power of the Peshwas also influenced them.
• Under leaders like Sewaram, their revolts continued sporadically until they were pacified through land grants and inclusion in local police forces.

Koli Risings (1829–1848)

• The Kolis of Gujarat faced unemployment and lost their strongholds under British rule.
• Revolts occurred repeatedly due to their economic grievances and resentment over British dismantling their forts.

Kutch Rebellion (1819)

• Centered around power struggles in the princely state of Cutch, the rebellion aimed to restore traditional rulers like Rao Bharmal.
• Suppressed after extensive military operations, but British policies had to be softened.

Ramosi Rebellion (1822–1829)

• The Ramosis, a tribal group in Maharashtra, revolted due to unemployment and heavy revenue assessments.
• Led by figures like Chittur Singh and Umaji Naik, they resisted British rule until pardoned and absorbed into hill police forces.

Kolhapur and Sawantwadi Revolts (1844)

• The Gadhkaris (fort keepers) of Kolhapur rebelled after being disbanded by the British.
• Similarly, the Sawantwadi uprising involved local military classes reacting against British economic exploitation.

Tribal Revolts in Southern India

Raja of Vizianagaram’s Revolt (1794)

• Sparked by British demands for large “presents” and disbanding local troops.
• Though the Raja died in the conflict, the British restored the estate to his sons, reducing their demands to placate the region.

Velu Thampi’s Revolt (1808–1809)

• The Diwan of Travancore, Velu Thampi, resisted British attempts to impose the Subsidiary Alliance.
• Despite fierce resistance using Nair troops, he was ultimately overpowered and killed.

Kittur Uprising (1824–1829)

• Chennamma, the widow of Kittur’s chief, rebelled when the British refused to recognize her adopted heir.
• Though suppressed, her defiance remains a source of inspiration in Karnataka.

Rampa Rebellion (1879)

• The hill tribes in Andhra Pradesh revolted against British forest laws that restricted toddy tapping and other traditional rights.
• Though suppressed by 1880, the rebellion highlighted their resistance to colonial exploitation.

Other Significant Movements

Santhal Pargana and Bakasht Land Revolts

• Revolts centered around the exploitation of Santhal lands by British-supported landlords and revenue policies.

Faraizi Movement (1838–1857)

• Led by Haji Shariatullah and Dadu Mian in Bengal, this movement was both religious and political, addressing tenant oppression and seeking to expel the British.

Impact of Colonial Rule on Tribals

• Disruption of Traditional Life: Tribals were governed by their customs and traditions, but British intervention disrupted their societal norms.
• Economic Exploitation: Laws ignored tribal communal land rights, leading to exploitation by moneylenders, traders, and land grabbers.
• Forestry Policies: Revenue-driven forest control limited tribal activities like shifting cultivation and grazing.
• Cultural Erosion: The spread of Christianity disrupted traditional tribal religions, especially in Bihar and Assam.

Conclusion

While localised, these uprisings reflected the broader discontent with British exploitation, socio-economic disruption, and cultural interference. These movements showcased the deep-rooted resentment among various tribal and rural communities toward oppressive colonial policies that disrupted their traditional ways of life. Though often suppressed militarily, they significantly challenged British authority, laying the foundation for future organized resistance during India’s freedom struggle.

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