Sanyasi, Chuar, Ho and Munda, Bhil, Kol Rebellion - Tribal Movements in British India

During the British period, due to the expansion of the empire by the British, along with evicting the farmers and tribals from their lands, many types of taxes were imposed on them. Apart from this, exploitation was also done, as a result of which many tribal movements took place in the 100 years before independence, which became a major part of the history of Indian independence. 

In this part, we are going to discuss on following tribal movements - 

1. Sanyasi Rebellion
2. Chuar Rebellion
3. Ho and Munda Rebellion
4. Bhil Rebellion
5. Ahom Rebellion
6. Kol Rebellion 

Except the Movements mentioned in this article , there are few other movements held which are as - 

1. Khasi Rebllion
2. Revolt of Kutch - Kathiawad
3. Surat Movement
4. Badhera Rebellion
5. Gadkari Rebellion or Mutiny of Kolhapur
6. Feudalist Revolt
7. Revolt of Dewan Veluthampi - Vella Thumpi
8. Revolt of the Raja of Vijayanagara
9. Koya Rebellion
10. Tribal Movement in British India . 

We will know about these in next session. you can click on the link to read them.

Directive Principles of State Policy : Article 36- 40

Sanyasi Revolt ( 1770 )

• The original place of this rebellion was West Bengal.
• Reason for Rebellion : After the establishment of the English state in West Bengal, a new economy was implemented, due to which the landlords, artisans and farmers were all badly affected. At the same time in 1770 there was a severe famine in Bengal. Indifference was shown by the British government even during this severe famine. But the root cause of the rebellion of the sanyasis was the restriction imposed on visiting the pilgrimage places, the sanyasis were very upset and saddened. Apart from this, they also had to pay tax to visit these places. The sanyasis resolved to fight against injustice to protect their self-respect and with the cooperation of the general public, decided to revolt against the British government. These people raided the brothels, treasuries and offices of the British. Warren Hastings was able to suppress this rebellion only after a long campaign. Since this rebellion was started by the Sanyasis, that is why this rebellion was called the Sanyasi Rebellion.
• The main leaders of the Sanyasi rebellion were Kenasarkar and Dirji Narayan.
• Bankimchandra Chatterjee has given a detailed description of this rebellion in his novel 'Anand Math'.

Chuar Rebellion ( 1768 )

• The original place of the Chuar rebellion was the Midnapore district of West Bengal.
• The leaders of the Chuar rebellion were Durjan Singh and Jagannath.
• The Reason for the Rebellion : - In 1770, there was a severe famine in West Bengal and the increased land tax by the British, which caused an economic crisis. For this reason, the kings of Kailapal, Dalbhum, Barabhum and Dholka and Chuar tribals together organized a movement, which is known as Chuar rebellion in Indian history. In this rebellion, he adopted the policy of self-destruction.
• This rebellion continued intermittently for 30 years.

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Ho and Munda Rebellion ( 1820 )

• The place of rebellion was Chhotanagpur and Singhbhum district.
• The tribals took up arms in 1820 and again in 1831 due to the eviction of the Ho and Munda tribals of Chhotanagpur and Singhbhum districts from their lands by the British. King Jagannath of Parahar in West Bengal helped these tribes in this rebellion.
• The Ho tribes courageously defended their kingdom, but in 1827 it was suppressed by Major Rafsez.

Munda Rebellion ( 1874 )

• The place of rebellion was Chhotanagpur.
• The Munda tribes of Chhotanagpur revolted against the British for being evicted from the land and increased taxes. This rebellion came to the fore in 1895 when a 21-year-old youth named Birsa Munda took over the leadership. By about 1900, this rebellion spread in the entire Munda region.
• The root cause of the rebellion was the change in the traditional land system 'Khuntkatti' of the Mundas. This rebellion was known as Ulgulan (Great Revolt).
• Birsa Munda – An Introduction : Birsa got initial fame due to his ability to cure diseases. In this rebellion, Birsa Munda assumed the title of Ulgulal and declared himself as the messenger of God and said that "we will fight with the Dikus (non-tribals) and their blood will make the land red like a red flag." Birsa asked his followers to worship 'Singa Boga'. In 1899, on the eve of Christmas, he called upon the outsiders to drive them away from their areas. On 3 February 1900, he was arrested from Singhbhum district and died of cholera in Ranchi jail.
• His companions in the Munda rebellion were Gaya Munda, Deika Munda, Panai Munda, Sundar Munda, Tibu Munda, Johan Munda and Risa Munda etc.

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Bhil Rebellion (1812 – 19, 1825 & 1831 – 46 )

Bhilo did three rebellions respectively, due to which it became the main part of Indian history.

• The main place of Bhil rebellion is Khandesh of the Western Ghats located in Western India.
• From 1812 – 19, they rebelled due to fear from their new masters, the British, and due to agricultural distress. The English army tried to suppress them, but instead of being afraid, they opposed them with more ferocity.
• In 1825, the Bhils revolted again under the leadership of Sewaram.
• They rebelled again in 1831 and 1846.

Kol Rebellion ( 1831 )

• The main place of Kol rebellion was mainly Ranchi, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamu districts of Chhotanagpur region.
• Ganganarayan and Buddhabhagat played the main role in this rebellion.
• The main reason for the Kol rebellion was to take away the land of Kol tribals and distribute it among Muslim and Sikh farmers. Along with this, the British broke their forts and forts. The forced labor of the Kol tribes increased during the British rule, which became the reason for the rebellion.

Ahom Revolt ( 1828 )

• The origin of the Ahom rebellion was the Ahom region of the state of Assam.
• After the end of the Burma war in 1828, the British did not fulfill their promise, but efforts were made to merge the Ahom region with the British state, then the anger of the elite of the Ahom region erupted and they revolted.
• In 1828, the people of Ahom declared 'Gomdhar Kuvar' as their king as well as marched on Rangpur, which was repulsed.
• Again in 1830, when preparations were made for the second rebellion, the company, using a peaceful policy, gave the territories of northern Assam to Maharaja Purandar Singh. Due to which the rebellion was averted.

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