Page 30 - SST Class 08

4. The tribals were not allowed to use the 1793 and their lands were passed to the
___________ and ___________ for their own
purposes.
5. The tribals constitute a ___________ part of
the Indian population.
Regional Focus : Chota Nagpur
The Chota Nagpur region covered the regions
chiefly in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and
Orissa, and some parts of West Bengal. The chief
tribes inhabiting this area include the Santhals, the
Khonds, the Mundas and the Kols. As the British
authority penetrated into their area, these tribes
felt ill at ease, so they resisted the British
interference.
The first major revolt was by the Kols in 1820.
They resisted the British interference. However,
the British burnt down many of their villages and
killed many people violently. At this, the revolt
was put down in 1827; however, the Kols always
found opportunities to revolt.
When the Mundas revolted in 1830-31, the Kols
also joined them. The chief cause of the revolt
was the new policy of revenue regulation. Soon,
the revolt spread in a large area covering the
present day Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamu and
Manbhum. The rebels attacked the foreign settlers
and killed many of them. The army had to use all
its resources to put down the revolt. Finally, the
revolt was suppressed in 1832, though the revolt
continued on a minor scale well into 1837.
The Khond revolt occurred in 1846 and lasted for
three years on the apprehension that the British
would appropriate their lands, exact forced labour
and impose heavy taxes. The revolt was pacified
in 1848.
Info Bits
Info Bits
Santhals were settled in the Santhal Parganas in
the present day Jharkhand region. They had close
bond with their lands and forests which they
believed were blessed by their ancestors.
The most massive revolt was undertaken by the
Santhals in 1855-56. They were dispossessed of
their lands under the Permanent Settlement Act,
Contemporary Social Science-8
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zamindars (landlords). Further, their habitat was
destroyed by the construction activities, such as
railways, in which they were
compelled to work. The revolt
covered the areas in present-
day Bhagalpur, Manbhum and
Raj Mahal. They were led by
Sido Murmu , Kanhu Murmu ,
Chand and Bhareo . The postal stamp
showing Sido and Kanhu
The armed Santhal rebellion started with a minor
incident when two Santhal leaders were arrested.
At this, about 10,000 men, armed with bows,
swords and spears, attacked the government
officers, police stations, indigo planters, railway
stations and zamindars. Later, they organised
themselves into a large army comprising about
60,000 men, divided into units of 1500-2000
men. These people were chiefly armed with
domestic weapons. They attacked and killed many
British officers. The British army was called and in
the violent repression, about 10,000 Santhals
were killed. The Santhal area was put under the
direct control of the Governor General, and the
Christian missionaries were encouraged to work
in the area to secure conversion.
Just Think!
Which tribal group is found in your state?
Regional Focus : North-East
The tribes that inhabit the north-east region
include the Garo, the Khasi, the Hajong, the
Jaintia, the Mizo, the Baro and many other tribes.
As these tribes were dispossessed of their lands
and their habitat penetrated, they rose in revolt.
Though most of their revolts covered small areas,
yet they harassed the British army very frequently
due to the natural hilly cover in the area.
The first major revolt in the north-east was by the
Khasis, under the leadership of Tirut Singh of
Nongkhlaw . It continued from 1829 to 1833 for
four years. The revolt started with an attack on the
British officers and workers.
About the same time, the Singpos too broke in
rebellion in 1830 under the leadership of Kumar