Tribal Upsprings
The piecemeal conquest of India by the British produced discontent in every section of the society as all were affected by their revenue and administrative policies. The numerous tribes which dot the landscape of India were also adversely affected and they were converted from peace-loving people to rebels. During the period from the conquest of the Bengal till independence, there have been no less than 20 tribal rebellions. The main causes for tribal movements were as follows:
- The tribals resented the extension of the British rule into their areas and imposition of their revenue and administrative policies and so rebelled against them. The tribals also resented the penetration of their areas by outsiders from the plains such as moneylenders, traders, contractors etc. who exploited the tribals by paying them low prices for their produce and employing them as bonded labour.
- These outsiders were also given protection by the British Government and this also angered the tribals. The tribals also rebelled because of the tightening of control by the British over forest zones for revenue purposes. Forest was the main source of livelihood for the tribals and they have resented this control over forest areas.
- The tribals also reacted to the activities of Christian missionaries who saw in the tribal areas, a fertile ground for converting the tribals to Christianity. But when they did not give them the benefits they promised, the tribals turned against them and rebelled against the British who encouraged these missionaries.
- The tribals were also angered by the British efforts to recruit them as unpaid labour for menial work in the areas of railways and road construction.
- The tribals resented the efforts of the British to suppress certain tribal traditions and practices like infanticide and human sacrifices.
Tribal Uprisings in the 18th and 19th Centuries
Tribal Uprisings – Chuar rebellion (1768 & 1832)
The Chuars, who inhabited Bengal around Nanbhum and Barabhum districts revolted against the extension of British rule into their area which the British suppressed through force.
Tribal Uprisings – Bhil rebellion (1818 & 1848)
The Bhils inhabited the tribal areas of Khandesh and they also revolted against the extension of British rule into their area which the British suppressed through military operations.
Tribal Uprisings – Khasi rebellion (1829 – 32)
The Khasis who inhabit the hills of Meghalaya rose in revolt against the British under Tirath Singh and Barmanik because of the exploitation by the non-tribals in their areas.
Tribal Uprisings – Kol rebellion (1830 – 31)
The Kols of Chota Nagpur revolted under the leadership of Buddho Bhagat because of the extension of British rule into their areas and their consequent exploitation by the British and non-tribals. The death of Buddho Bhagat ended the revolt.
Tribal Uprisings – Koya rebellion (1840, 1845, 1858, 1861-62, 1879-80, 1922-24)
The Koyas who inhabit the Rampa region in the Agency areas of Andhra Pradesh revolted repeatedly in resentment against the forest policy of the British. The Koyas were led by Alluri Seetharama Raju in 1922-24. The capture and execution of Alluri Seetharama Raju ended the Koya rebellion in May 1924.
Tribal Uprisings – Khond rebellion (1846-48, 1855)
The Khonds inhabit western Orissa and they revolted against the British when the latter prohibited certain tribal practices and traditions. They were led by Chakra Bisajya and revolt was put down the great difficulty by the British.
Tribal Uprisings – Santhal rebellion (1855-56)
The best known tribal rebellion is the Santhal rebellion which took place in the Rajamahal Hills of Bihar under the leadership of two tribal brothers, Sidhu and Kanhu. They temporarily wiped out British control of the area from Bhagalpur to Rajmahal and established their own government. The British crushed the rebellion through brute force through massive military operations.
Tribal Uprisings – Munda rebellion (1899, 1900)
The Mundas inhabit the Chotanagpur plateau and their rebellion is known as Ulgulan, launched under the leadership of Birsa Munda. They attacked churches and police stations as they widely resented the activities of the Christian missionaries. The revolt was suppressed in the same manner as the Santhal rebellion. Birsa was captured in 1900 but died of Cholera in jail.
Tribal Uprisings – Juki rebellion (1917-1919)
The Kukis who inhabit Manipur revolted against the British in ‘resentment against the practice of recruiting them as free labour for menial work. They launched a guerrilla war against the British under the heroic leadership of Rani Gaidinliu. This revolt was also brutally suppressed and Rani Gaidinliu was captured by the British, only to be released in 1947.