CIVIL REBELLIONS - TRIBAL MOVEMENTS
I. TRIBAL MOVEMENTS
THE REASONS-
- British land revenue policy, particularly Permanent Settlement in 1793 A.D. was the single most important factor for the tribal movements.
- Lord Hardinge I, the Governor General introduced Forest Lawaa in 1840 A.D. prohibiting Podu Cultivation (Shifting Cultivation), imposed taxes on forest products and barred the custom of human sacrifice practiced by Khons of Orissa and Gonda of Adilabad district of A.P.
- New administrative system with police, courts, lawayers was also being resisted by the tribes.
- The Ghristian missionary activities in the agency areas and the British deploying army in the agency were the other factors for the revolts.
POPULAR TRIBAL REVOLTS-
1. Churs - Marabhum And Danabrhum : were the first to revoli against British land revenue policy, in 1769 A.D.
2. Khasis - Assam : revolted in 1832 A. D. under the leadership of Buddho Bhagath against British policy of expansionism.
3. Khonda - Orissa : revolted in 1846 - 48 A.D. under the leadership of Chakra Besai against the British policy of interference when Lord Hadinge I barred the custom of human sacrifice
4. Kachanga : Kacher (Cachar) Dist in Assam : 1882 A.D. revolted under the British land revenue policy under the leadership of Sambu Dan.
5. Koya : Godavari Agency Area in A.P. : revolted in 1992 - 1923 A.D at Rampa- chodavaran under the leadership of * Alluri Seetha Ramaraj against the Britis Forest laws and the exploitation of the tribes by the tribal chiefs called Muthandars. Seetha Ramraj attacked Chintapalli police station with his koya followers and killed notorious officer 'Bastian' Rutherford was the Commissioner of Operations against Seetha Ramraj. Raju was assassinated at Koyyagudem.
6. Munda Uprising : 1899 - 1900 A.D. revolted under the leadership of Birsa Munda against the Christian missionary activities in the agency area and for their own reghts in the soil. Birsa founded a new cult called *Singabonga and started the Sons of the sons of the Soil Movement called Ulgular. He was deported in 1900 A.D. as political prisoner.
7. Kola - Chotanagpur : revolted in 1832 A.D. under the leadership of Buddho Bhagath against the British policy of expansionism.
8. Naikdas - Panchamahal Hills, Gujarat : 1858 A.D; 1868 A.D.; revolted under the leadership of Roop Singh and Jaria Bhagath against British Policy of expansionism and interference. They decalared the formation of the 2nd independent tribal kingdom with Roop Singh as the head of the State and Jaria as the head of the religion.
9. Oroans - Chotanagpur : 1915 A.D. revolted under the leadership of Jatra Bhagath. It started as a reform. Movement called Bhagath Movement and also Tanabhagat Movement preaching Monotheism. Later it became anti-British and part of the freedom struggle.
10. **Santhal Rebellion - Rajmahal Hills in Bihar : 1854 A.D. 1856 A.D. opposed British land revenue policy under the leadership of Sinddhu - and Knhu
They defeated the British armies under General Borrough and declared the formation of 1st independent tribal kngdom in modern India in the region between Bhagalpur and Patna. The importance of the revolt was-
- It was the first revolt that exploded the myth of Europenn invincibility.
- The revolt had direct impact on 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
i. Savara : Srikakulam Asansol Area (A.P.) : 1857 A.D.: led by Dundasena against the British Forest Laws.
ii. Thadou : Kuki : Manipur 1917 A.D. ; was led by Rani Gidinilu and her cousin Zodanang against the presence of the British in the agency areas. Imprisoned Rani Gidmilu was released in 1957 A.D. ; called the Daughter of Indian Independence by PM Nehru.
iii. Bhils : 1913 A.D; was led by govind Guru against British revenue policy.
iv. Chenchu - Nallamala Hills in A.P. : 1922 A.D. - 1923 A.D. they revolted against British forest laws under the leadership of k. Hanumanthu. He orgainsed Palanadu - Forest Satyagraha against British Forest Laws.