Q.1 Tribal movements should be viewed as “history from below.” Discuss the objects and nature of the movements in 19th-century India.

Answer: The term “History from below” refers to the history which seeks to take ordinary
people as its subjects and concentrate on their experiences and perspectives, rather than
the traditional stereotypical political history which primarily focuses on the actions of a few
“great men.”
CHARACTERISTICS OF TRIBAL MOVEMENTS

There were several common characteristics between the tribal movements even though they
were separated by time and place. These include

● Common identity: The tribal identity lay in the solidarity shown between a tribe.
They felt a close connection with people due to shared space and identity. However,
this did not mean that all outsiders were treated as enemies. The non-tribal people
who lived in the villages were not seen as outsiders.
● Only moneylenders and traders who were seen as extensions of the colonial
government were termed as enemies or outsiders. It was against these
people that such uprisings were directed.

● Foreign government: The laws imposed by the colonial or foreign government
were seen as undermining the traditional and socio economic structure of the tribal
people.
● The traditions, customs and laws of tribals came into conflict with the new
administrative laws and created apprehensions among the tribals about
preserving their identity.
● Folk heroes: Many uprisings were led by messiah-like figures who encouraged their
followers to rebel and held out hope that they could end the suffering brought on by
the “outsiders.”
● For instance, the Munda rebellion was led by Birsa Munda who was also
known as Dharti Abba.

TRIBAL MOVEMENTS OF THE 19th CENTURY

India in the 19th century witnessed a series of tribal movements or uprisings undertaken in
various parts of the country.

	TRIBAL UPRISINGS	NATURE AND OBJECT OF THE MOVEMENTS
1.	Bhil Uprising (1818-46)	● The name of the Bhil tribe owes its origin to the word “bhillu” which means bow. They are excellent archers. ● The Bhils who lived in the Western Ghats controlled the mountain passes between the north and the Deccan. ● The rebellion was against British feudalism and imperialism. ● A reformer, Govind Guru helped the Bhils of south Rajasthan (Banswara, Sunth states) to organise themselves to fight for a Bhil Raj by 1913.
2.	Ho and Munda Uprisings (1820- 37)	● Ho tribals led by Raja Parahat in Singhbhum and Chotanagpur region. ● It was against new farming revenue policy and the entry of Bengalis in their region.
3.	Ramosi Uprisings (1822,1825,1839)	● The Ramosi were the hill tribes of the Western Ghats. ● It was against the annexation of the Maratha land by the British as they worked under the Marathas and the annexation led to a loss of their livelihood. ● Initially they revolted under the leadership of Chittur Singh in 1822, and again in 1839 after the deposition of Raja Pratap Singh of Satara.
4.	Ahom’s Revolt(1828-33)	● The Britishers pledged to withdraw from Assam after the 1st Burma war in 1824 but they attempted to incorporate Ahom territory into companies’ dominion. ● Rebellion sparked under the leadership of Gomdhar Konwar.
5.	Koli Uprising(1829)	● The Koli people were fishermen in the Western Ghat( Gujarat and Maharashtra). ● Revolted against large-scale employment and destruction of many forts of Koli.
6.	Kol Rebellion(1832)	● Tribals of Chotanagpur (Ranchi, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, and Palamu) ● Under the leadership of Buddho Bagat. ● The reason for their revolt was large scale transfer of land from Kol headman to outsiders like Sikhs and muslim farmers.
7.	Khond Rebellion(1837-56)	● Tribals of hills from Tamil Nadu to Bengal. ● Revolted against interference in practice of Human sacrifice Mariah their tribal customs and the imposition of new taxes. ● Led by Chakra Bisoi.
8.	Santhal Uprising or Santhal Hool(1855-56)	● The santhal tribe inhabited the region between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal hills in Bihar(called Daman-i-Koh). ● It was directed at the money-lenders and zamindars who had the support of the police to subject the peasants to oppressive exactions and dispossession of lands. ● It was led by two brothers Sidu and Kanhu
9.	Kharwar Rebellion (1870)	● Tribals of Bihar led by Bhagrith Manjhi ● Against revenue settlement activities.
10.	Bhuyan and Juang Rebellions (1867)	● Tribes of Keonjhar, Orissa . ● Revolted twice in 1867 and 1891, led by Ratna Naik.
11.	Koya Uprising (1879-80)	● Tribals of the Eastern Godavari region. ● It was against the oppression by police and moneylenders, new regulations and denial of their customary rights over forest areas. ● Led by Tomma Sora and Raja Annantyar.

12.

Munda Rebellion or Ulgulan of Munda (1899-1900)

● Tribals of the Chotanagpur area ● It was essentially a revivalist movement, which sought to purge Munda society of all foreign elements and restore its pristine character. ● Revolt was against the destruction of their system of common land holding by Britishers and their agents. ● Birsa Munda led this revolt and it was called the ‘Ulgulan’ or the ‘Great Tumult’.

REASONS FOR TRIBAL REVOLTS IN INDIA

The tribal people have always been conservative and protective of their culture, tradition,
and hierarchical customs. The rise of British colonisation was in direct contrast to their
traditions and way of living and therefore it agitated the tribals.

● Practice of settled agriculture: The mainstay of the tribes was shifting agriculture,
hunting, fishing, and the use of forest produce. With the influx of non-tribals, the
practice of settled agriculture was introduced. This led to land loss and tribals being
landless agricultural labourers.

● Ownership of forest produce: The tribal people were dependent on forest produce
for their livelihood and before the British came, they had full control over the forests.
However, with changing administrative structure, they were deprived of the rights to
consume and use various products that were produced abundantly in the forest.

● Christian missionaries: There were numerous instances of conversion of tribal
people into christians. It was against this conversion activity that Birsa Munda started
the Birsait sect.
● Private ownership of land: by non-tribal landlords: The tribals had a system of
joint land ownership which was replaced by the notion of private property and this
gave rise to a new class of landlords and zamindars.

● Introduction of outsiders: The British introduced outsiders like money lenders into
the tribal areas which led to severe exploitation of the local tribals. They became
bonded labourers under the new economic system.

● Society became non-egalitarian: Tribal society was traditionally egalitarian
compared to mainstream society which was marked by caste and class distinctions.
The arrival of outsiders or non-tribals caused the tribal people to be relegated to the
lowest levels of society.

Conclusion

The tribal people have always had a strong sense of tradition and a desire to protect their
culture. This was disturbed by the colonial invasion and as a result they occasionally
engaged in violent, sectarian movements to defend their tribal identity from outside governments and landowners. These varied grievances reached their climax in the revolt of
1857, which in spite of targeting certain groups of Indians, remains the prominent uprising
against the British before the beginning of the Indian Freedom movement.