Tribal Revolts
Notes
Tribal communities revolted against colonial rule because of loss of land and forest rights, high revenue, forest laws (Indian Forest Acts of 1865 and 1878), restrictions on shifting cultivation, moneylenders and traders ("dikus"), the intrusion of outsiders and missionary activity. These revolts were localised, often violent and led by charismatic chiefs, and many had a millenarian character.
Revolt | Region and period | Leaders and notes |
|---|---|---|
Pahariya Revolt | Rajmahal Hills, 1772-82 | Against zamindars and Company's land policy; Cleveland's pacification |
Chuar Rebellion | Midnapore, Bankura (Bengal), 1766-72, 1795-1816 | Against revenue demands; Durjan Singh |
Bhil Revolts | Khandesh, 1817-19, 1825, 1831, 1846 | Sewaram; later Govind Guru's movement (1913) and the Mangarh killings |
Ho and Munda Revolts | Chotanagpur, 1820-22, 1831 | Against land transfers |
Kol Rebellion | Chotanagpur, 1831-32 | Budhu Bhagat; against outsiders (thikadars) |
Khasi Revolt | Meghalaya, 1829-33 | Tirot Singh against the Company's road project (Anglo-Khasi War) |
Khond Uprising | Odisha, 1837-56 | Chakra Bisoi; against Meriah (human sacrifice) suppression and taxes |
Santhal Rebellion (Hool) | Rajmahal, Bhagalpur, 1855-56 | Sidhu and Kanhu (with Chand and Bhairav); against moneylenders, zamindars; Santhal Parganas created; Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1876 |
Koya (Rampa) Rebellion | Godavari, 1879-80 | Against moneylenders and police; later 1922-24 under Alluri Sitarama Raju |
Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan) | Ranchi, 1899-1900 | Birsa Munda, "Dharti Aba"; against khuntkatti land loss, begar and moneylenders; Birsa died in jail (1900); led to the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 |
Tana Bhagat Movement | Chotanagpur, 1914 | Oraons; Jatra Bhagat |
Naga Movement | Manipur, Naga Hills, 1930s | Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu (Heraka movement) |
Warli Revolt | Maharashtra, 1945-47 | Against landlords; Godavari Parulekar |
Features: traditional weapons (bows and arrows), strong community identity, leaders seen as divine, mostly isolated and crushed by the army. They influenced later laws: Scheduled Districts Act (1874), Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908), and the Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas under the Government of India Act, 1935.
Key Points
- Causes: land, forest laws, moneylenders (dikus), outsiders.
- Santhal Hool (1855-56): Sidhu and Kanhu; Santhal Parganas created.
- Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900): Birsa Munda; Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908).
- Kol (1831-32), Khond (1837-56), Pahariya (1772), Bhil, Khasi (Tirot Singh).
- Tribal revolts were more violent but localised.
MCQs
Q1. The Ulgulan (Great Tumult) was led by: (a) Sidhu and Kanhu (b) Birsa Munda (c) Budhu Bhagat (d) Tirot Singh Ans: (b). 1899-1900.
Q2. The Santhal Rebellion (1855-56) was led by: (a) Birsa Munda (b) Sidhu and Kanhu (c) Alluri Sitarama Raju (d) Rani Gaidinliu Ans: (b).
Q3. The Pahariya Revolt (1772-82) took place in: (a) Rajmahal Hills (b) Khandesh (c) Odisha (d) Khasi Hills Ans: (a).