Tribal Revolts Of Jharkhand (Jharkhand GK In English)

Important Tribal Revolts in Jharkhand

Dhal Revolt (1767-1770 AD)

▸ This was the first tribal revolt in Jharkhand which was led by the deposed King of Dhalbhum, Jagannath Dhal.
▸ The main cause of this revolt was the advent of the British East India Company in Singhbhum and Manbhum area that made people of the region discontented. This revolt continued for 10 years.
▸ Lt Rook and Chales Morgan were sent to suppress the revolt but they failed. As a result, in 1777 the British again declared Jagannath Dhal as the ruler of Dhalbhum.

Ramgarh Revolt (1772-1778 AD)

▸ This revolt was started under the leadership of Raja Mukund Singh. On 25th October, 1772 Ramgarh was attacked by Captain Jacob Camac from Chhota Nagpur from one side and Tej Singh from other side. Due to this, Mukund Singh fled from Ramgarh. Tej Singh captured Ramgarh.
▸ After this, Tej Singh became the ruler. In 1774, after the death of Tej Singh, his son Parasnath Singh became the ruler.
▸ On 18th March, 1778, Mukund Singh was arrested by the Britishers in Palamu region.
▸ The supporter of Mukund Singh, Raghunath Singh started revolted and captured four Parganas and Jagirdars from Parasnath Singh.
▸ Captain Ackerman was called to suppress this revolt.
▸ Increasing revenue demand and control of the company forced Parasnath Singh to support the rebel king of Benaras Raja Chet Singh.
▸ By the end of 1781 entire Ramgarh was in rebellious mood.
▸ By 1782 the British government relieved the king of Ramgarh from the responsibility of revenue collection and made direct Revenue settlement with Jagirdars. Thus, the king of Ramgarh remained only a titular king.

Paharia Revolt (1776-1824 AD)

▸ Paharia tribe was settled in Rajmahal, Godda and Pakur regions. Their revolt against the British is considered as the first major revolt in the history of tribal revolts against the British.
▸ This tribe revolted many times against the British for e.g. revolt in 1766, 1772 and in 1781-82.
▸ In 1766, they revolted under the leadership of Ramna Aahdi.
▸ In the revolt of 1772, many leaders including Changrun Sanwariya, Pachge Domba Paharia and Kariya Pulhar died.
▸ In 1781-82, queen Sarveshwari, the wife of king Maheshpur revolted against the British, Paharia chiefs helped the queen.
▸ The British settled Santhals in a large number in this region between 1790 and 1810. The Paharias became minority, but their movement continued.
▸ In 1827, British declared the land of Paharias as Damin-e-Koh and declared it as government property to suppress the revolt.

Tilka Manjhi Revolt (1783-1785 AD)

▸ This revolt was started in 1783, under the leadership of Tilka Manjhi (Jabra Paharia). The objective of this revolt was to chase out the British from the region and to defend tribals' autonomy.
▸ Under this revolt, people looted British treasury and distributed among the poors.
Tilka conveyed the message of revolt through sal leaves by circulating them in the villages. Tilka Manjhi attacked on Augustus Cleveland, who died later.
▸ Tilka was arrested in 1785 and was executed by hanging in Bhagalpur. He is regarded as the first martyr of Indian independence struggle.

Tamar Revolt (1782-1820 AD)

▸ It was started in 1782 in Chhota Nagpur by Oraon tribe. The leader of this revolt was Thakur Bholanath Singh.
▸ This revolt happened due to the exploitation of tribals by the company, tehsildars, zamindars and non-tribals.
▸ In 1807, 1811, 1817 and 1820, Munda and Oraon tribals rose in revolt against zamindars and non-tribals.

Chero Revolt (1800-1818 AD)

▸ This revolt was led by Bhukan Singh in 1800 AD. The estate of Palamu was ruled by Shiv Prasad Singh on behalf of the minor 'Rajah' Churaman Rai.
▸ Shiv Prasad Singh and other Jagirdars of Palamu took advantage of the young age and inexperience of Churaman Rai and reduced the rent for their Jagirs. These Jagirdars always created disturbance and it did not stop even after Churaman Rai became an adult.
▸ The situation worsened after 1799, when internal disturbances coupled with foreign interference.
▸ In October 1800, Bhukan Singh created disorders in Palamu with the support of people from Surguja, Chhota Nagpur and Tomar. Daljit Singh helped Bhukan Singh and they revolted against the British.
▸ The Commander of Ramgarh Col MS Jones wrote for military help early in March 1801. Lt E Roughsedge marched into Palamu with his troops and expelled Bhukan Singh.
▸ Two assistant of Bhukan Singh were Bachu Bhogta and Shiv Bakhsh Bhogta, who surrendered to Roughsedge. But still, Bhukan Singh posed as a threat to the Britishers.
▸ Bhukan Singh fled from Surguja and took shelter in the Maratha territories of Sambalpur and Chhattisgarh. After 1802, gradually the revolt of Bhukan Singh was suppressed.

The Ho Uprising (1821-1837 AD)

▸ This revolt took place in Singhbhum region. It was against the oppression of British and Zamindars.
▸ After the third Anglo-Maratha War (1818), the East India Company made an agreement with the ruler of Singhbhum, Jagannath Singh. The Singhbhum ruler not only declared supremacy over the chiefs of Kharwar and Seraikela but also made an effort to control the Ho tribe with the help of the company.
▸ The Hos reacted strongly and denied all the submission to the Raja and chiefs of Singhbhum.
▸ On 31st January, 1821, Hos attacked the Subedar and his party. But the Britishers overpowered the Hos and they accepted their subordination to the British.

Kol Uprising (1831-1832 AD)

▸ It was the first well organised and extensive tribal revolt of Jharkhand, which was against the oppressive administrative policy of zamindars, contractors, moneylenders, non-tribal merchants and king's agents.
▸ The main tribes involved in this revolt were Munda, Ho, Oraon, Kharwar and Chero.
▸ The main leaders of this movement were Buddhu Bhagat (Oraon tribe), Bindrai Manki, Soe Bahadur, Desai Munda, Surga Munda, Kartik Sardar but this revolt was suppressed by Captain Wilkinson in 1832.
▸ A great destruction of life and property took place during the rising and in the course of their suppression.
▸ The movement spread across Chhota Nagpur Khas, Palamu, Singhbhum and Manbhum except Hazaribagh, that remained unaffected by this uprising.
▸ As a result of this revolt, Wilkinson law was implemented in 1834 AD and new province called South-East Frontier Agency was formed.

Bhumij Revolt (1832-1833 AD)

▸ This revolt was started in 1832 in Virbhum under the leadership of Ganga Narain.
He was supported by Kol and Ho tribes.
▸ This revolt was also known as Ganga Narain's Hungama or Turmoil. This revolt was against the King of Barabhum, police, munsifs and dikus.
▸ The King of Barabhum aggregated about 900 from the Bhumij Ghatwals in the name of house and other illegal tax.
▸ The police burkandazes collected their wages by force and the company officers did nothing.
▸ Other cause of this revolt was imposition of the Company rule on the native rule.
▸ The uprising led by Ganga Narain was violent. Non-tribal intruders, police stations and British officers were their main targets.
▸ According to Jagdish Chandra Jha, this revolt was an example of populist movement which was aimed at creating an ideal world in which there was not exploitation and oppression.
▸ After the revolt in 1838 AD, the headquarters of Manbhum district was replaced from Man Bazaar to Purulia.

Santhal Revolt (1855-1856 AD)

▸ The revolt started in 1855, under the leadership of Sidhu, Kanhu, Bhairav and Chand. It was also known as Santhal Hul or Hul Revolt.
▸ The revolt took place due to the exploitation by thikadars, moneylenders and police.
▸ This revolt continued for about one year and in 1856 it spread to Bakuda, Hazaribagh and Virbhum regions. The important leaders and tribals were surrounded from all sides by the British forces, supported by the local zamindars and the ruler of Ramgarh.
▸ The revolt was suppressed by the three British officers namely, Captain Alexander, Lt Thompson and Lt Reid, whose mutual conspiracy and intrigue were responsible for the defeat of the revolt.
▸ As a result of this revolt, Santhal Pargana district was established.

Sardari Movement (1858-1895 AD)

This movement was divided into three phases: i. Bhumi Movement (1858-81) This movement spread from Chhota Nagpur to Sonepur, Basia, Doisa and Khurbra. In October 1858, Christians of many villages revolted against zamindars.
ii. Revolutinary Movement for Restoration of Old Values (1881-90) This was the second phase of Sardari Movement in which Sikhs broke up with the German and Catholic missionaries.
iii. PoliticalMovement (1890-95) In this phase, SardariMovement took the form of political movement. In 1892, a conspiracy was made against thikardars and missionaries but it was failed.As a result, Sikhs fused their movement toMunda Revolt.

Safahod Movement (1870 AD)

▸ This revolt was started in 1870, under the leadership of LalHembrom or Lal Baba.
▸ In this movement, Lal Baba gave the volunteers of the movement Mantra of Ram's name. He used to give Santhals a white flag and asked them to wear sacred thread.
▸ Lal Baba organised the 'Deshoddharak Dal' in the Santhal Pargana. The prominent rebels of this revolt were Paiku, Murmu, Bhatu Soren, Rasik Lal Soren and Pagan Marandi.

The Kharwar Movement (1874-1881 AD)

▸ This movement was against agrarian injustices like extensive rack renting, ejectment (civil action to recover possession of land) of village headmen and seizure of rent free land by non-tribal people, etc.
▸ Bhagrit Manjhi was the pioneer of this movement. He declared in 1871, that he was commissioned by the God to fight for the redressal of their grievances and to be their king. He was famous as Baba among the tribes.
▸ He suggested to worship of 'Singbhahami' and Chando or Sun God on the pattern of the Hindus. Like Siddhu and Kanhu, Bhagrit and his followers also wanted to restore the independence of their tribe.

The Birsa Munda Movement (1895-1900 AD)

▸ This was the last of the heroic tribal movements of the 19th century in the Chhota Nagpur plateau. The Mundas had been living in the Chhota Nagpur plateau for more than 2000 years and are one of the most ancient settlers in this land.
▸ The leader of the revolt was Birsa Munda who came to be known as Birsa Bhagwan. He was also known as Dharti Aaba. The core of Birsa's message had initially been social and religious.
▸ The Birsa Movement created a strong desire among tribal people of Chhota Nagpur to get rid of the oppressive and inequitable land system and laws.

Background of Birsa Movement

▸ The Sardari Movement in 1858 can be regarded as the background of Birsa Movement.
▸ The Sardari Movement was well-organised and militant but is lacked charismatic leader and consequently failed to unite Mundas for an effective rebellion. Such a charismatic leader was found in 1895, in the form of Birsa Munda.

Phases of the Movement

▸ First Phase (1895-99) In this phase, the movement changed from religious to agricultural and political movement. In August 1895, Birsa was arrested and released from jail in 1897 on the eve of Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria's rule. The period of 1897-98 witnessed famine, security and disease.
▸ Second Phase (1899-1900) This phase saw the transformation to open violence and militant struggle. In this phase Khunti Station was attacked and Sub inspector was killed.
▸ Third Phase (1900-1901) In this phase, Birsa was arrested on 3rd February, 1900 and convicted for two years of rigorous imprisonment where he died in jail due to cholera.

Causes of Birsa Movement

▸ The tribes in this movement fought against the British who openly supported the exploiters namely the Zamindars and moneylenders who took the advantage of the corrupt British and Indian officials. In 1856, there were 600 zamindars holding land ranging from a portion of a single village to even 150 villages each in Bihar.
▸ Another important reason for the revolt was the concept of Beth Begari or bonded labour. Due to this, first the struggle was commenced by attacking the landlords, later it was directed against the ruling British authorities and the Christian missionaries, as the Christian missionaries' over emphasis on conversion irritated the Mundas.
▸ Another cause was Khuntkatti system which was a system of collective farming.
For the abolition of this system, the movement was organised.

Methods Adopted by Birsa Munda

▸ Birsa called upon the Mundas to uproot superstition, abjure animal sacrifice and cease on taking of intoxicants. He preached that theft, deception, murder, drunkenness and polygamy were sinful. The people regarded him as their Singhbonga or Sun God. He was also looked upon as incarnation of Khasra Kora who had destroyed the Asurs.
▸ Birsa Munda continuously infused the tribals with a sense of their destiny with many of the ancient myths that lay embedded in the popular consciousness.
▸ He advised people to not to obey the police, the magistrates and the landlords and to boycott the 'Beth Begari Sytem'.
▸ He spoke against unlawful land acquisition and tried to unite his people against the exploitation of zamindar, foreigner and traders.
▸ In 1895, arson and arrow firing against the Christian missionaries and few police stations started under the leadership of the Birsa.
▸ There were secret meetings held on the hill tops where they would plan their next attacks which would be carried out sincerely by the Mundas.
▸ On 25th December, 1899, Mundas attack Christians and those Mundas which were converted into Christians.
▸ Birsa Munda was arrested on 3rd March, 1900 at Chakradharpur. He died in Ranchi jail on 9th June, 1900.

Impact of Birsa Movement

▸ One of the impact of Birsa movement was on the land management system of British.
▸ In 1908, as a result of the movement, Kashtakari law was implemented in Chhota Nagpur.
▸ Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act was another impact of the movement which came into existence on 11th November, 1908.
▸ The system of Beth Begari was abolished.
▸ Another impact was the recognition of the Khuntkatti system and steps to preserve the purity of the system.
▸ In November 1902, Gumla subdivision was established and in 1905, Khunti was established.

Tana Bhagat Movement (1914)

▸ This movement was considered as a part of Birsa Movement. The main leaders of this movement were Jatra Bhagat and Sibu Bhagat.
▸ The tribes were discontented with the merciless and pitiless attitude of the British.
Besides this, police and zamindars were also oppressive towards them. These situations created rebel attitude among the Oraons.
▸ The followers of the movement were religiously influenced by Jatra Bhagat and Sibu Bhagat. Jatra Bhagat brought agrarian issues to the fore and launched a no-rent campaign.
▸ The Tana Bhagats fought alongwith the revolutionaryHindu Congress workers. They participated in SatyagrahaMovement and also took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement. They were also active in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
▸ Tana Bhagats stressed on vegetarianism and live a simple life and were against the prevailing blind faiths and orthodoxy in the society.
▸ This movement was a non-violent movement as they were the participants of the non-violent Indian National Movement.
▸ They worked with the Congress workers and raided liquor shops, destroyed roads, telegraph lines, attacked police stations and government offices.
▸ Tana Bhagat Movement initially started as a religious movement but subsequently changed into a political movement.
▸ The main aim of this movement was to establish autonomy in Chhota Nagpur regions. They also participated in Gaya Session and Nagpur Session of the Congress in 1922 and 1923, respectively.
▸ During the Indian National Movement, hundreds of Tana Bhagats were imprisoned and suffered by the British Government.

Tribal Revolts : At a Glance

Tribal Revolts :

At a Glance

Revolt

Duration

Leader

Suppresser

Bhogta Revolt

1770-71

Jainath Singh

Cap Jacob Camac

Bhumij Revolt

1832-38

Ganga Narayan

Cap Wilkinson

Chero Revolt

1800-02

Chiranjit Rai, Jainath Singh, Bhukhan Singh

Col MS Jones

Chuar Revolt

1769-1805

Raghunath Mahto, Shyam Gajam

Lt Goodyar, Major Crafard

Dhal Revolt

1767-77

Jagannath Dhal

Lt Rook, Cap Morgan

Ho Uprising

1821-37

Kharwar Revolt

1874-81

Bhagirath Manjhi

Kol Uprising

1831-38

Bindrai Manki, Surga Munda, Buddhu Bhagat

Munda Revolt

1895-1900

Birsa Munda

Cap Forbes

Pahariya Revolt

1776-1824

Jagannath Dev, Queen Sarveshwari

Cliveland

Sardari Revolt

1858-95

Kol Leaders

Tamar Revolt

1789-94

Vishnu Manki, Manji Manki

Cap Bayne, Limund

Tana Bhagat Movement

1914

Jatra Bhagat, Sibu Bhagat and other Tana Bhagat followers

The Santhal Revolt

1855-56

Sindhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav

Tilka Manjhi Revolt

1783-85

Tilka Manjhi

Cliveland, Aayarkut

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