Tribal Movement in India- Causes and Major Revolts 

The term tribal movement refers to the collective social and political efforts of indigenous groups. These uprisings were mainly influenced by the urge to safeguard their cultural heritage and human rights. Although these movements trace the roots of their existence back to the colonial era, they are remembered even today for their unwavering resistance against oppressive British rule. In this blog, we will take a look at the causes, types, and major tribal movements in India. 

Causes of Tribal Movement in India

The tribal people of India were marginalized and exploited at the hands of British officers for several decades. As a result of their consistent oppression and exploitation, tribals and peasants often rose in oppression and conducted uprisings. Here are the most common causes of tribal movements in India:

• Land alienation: Powerful and influential people of the society often displaced tribal people from their ancestral lands. This was done for several reasons such as urbanization, commercial exploitation, and other projects. 
• Exploitative revenue system: Ever since the inception of British rule in India, their reign has been characterized majorly by exploitative revenue systems such as heavy taxes on commodities. 
• Forest policies: Certain government policies such as the Forest Act (1865) and Forest Department Act (1864) limited tribal people’s access to forests and their resources. 
• Cultural homogenization: The arrival of Christian missionaries was often associated with the cultural suppression of local people by means of conversion.

Also Read: Peasant Movements: Causes, features and Impact

Classification of Tribal Movements

Phase	Timeline	Details
First Phase	1795 – 1860	The First Phase of Indian tribal movements ran parallel with the rise and expansion of the British Empire.
Second Phase	1860 – 1920	The Second Phase of the tribal movements saw colonialism in India as well as intense mercantilism which impacted the local economy, trade, and land.
Third Phase	1920 – 1947	The Third phase of tribal movements gave rise to agrarian and nationalist movements.

Also Read: Kheda Satyagraha

Major Tribal Revlots 

Below we have jotted down the major tribal revolts of India along with some prominent details. Let’s get started. 

Tribal Revolts	Features
Pahariya Rebellion	Leader: Raja Jagganath Year: 1778 Location: Chota Nagpur  Reasons: It was against the British extension of settled agriculture in their territories.  Conclusion: The British forces ruthlessly killed members of the Pahariya community. By 1780, the government had adopted a new policy that granted Pahariya Chiefs the allowance. They also became responsible for managing men’s conduct in the society. However, Pahariyas rejected the allowance and continued to rebel against the British forces.
Chuar Uprising	Leader: Durjan Singh Year: 1798-1799 Location: Between Chota Nagpur and the plains of Bengal. Reasons: The British forces continued to encroach on land which belonged to the local people. Consequently, tribals waged numerous wars using Guerrilla tactics.  Conclusion: The British forces managed to suppress the rebellion. They injured and executed over 200 insurgents.
Tamar Revolts	Leader: Bhola Nath Sahay Year: 1782-1820 Location: Chota Nagpur Reasons: The Oraon tribes revolted against the unjust alignment system of the British government which illegally took over the land ownership rights of the tribal people.  Conclusion: The revolt received aid from other tribal groups belonging to areas such as Jalda, Midnapur, and Dhadha.Despite their unwavering spirit, the government managed to suppress the movement in 1832-1833.
Bhil Uprising	Leader: Sewaram Location: Khandesh Hill Ranges Reasons: The British forces attacked and occupied the Khandesh region in 1818. However, the Bhils community saw them as outsiders who were gradually taking over their land and rights.  Conclusion: The British tried to suppress the rebellion but couldn’t achieve anything. The government ended up giving tax concessions and returning forest rights to foster peace.
Ramosi uprising	Leader: Chittur Singh of Satara (1822) and Ramosis around Poona (1826) Year: 1879 Location: Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Reasons: The Ramosi uprising arose due to the annexation of popular rulers of the region. After the Peshwa’s defeat, Ramosis lost their livelihood.   Conclusion: People involved in the revolt continued it till 1829.Later on, Britishers adopted a pacifist policy and recruited several Ramosis members in the hill police.
Ahom Revolt	Leader: Gomadhar Konwar  Year: 1828 Location: Assam  Reason: The British government did not stand up to the rules of the Treaty of Yandaboo which caused dissatisfaction among the common people.  Conclusion: People involved in the revolt were convicted of treason and sentenced to death. Gomadhar Konwar was also sent to exile by the East India Company.
Khasi Uprising	Leader: U. Tirot Singh  Year: 1833 Location: Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills Reason: The British forces annexed the tribal states of the Khasi Hills somewhere around 1826. Moreover, the government wanted to construct a road connecting the Brahmaputra Valley with Sylhet.  Conclusion: Members of this rebellion were ultimately defeated by the British forces. The government subsequently gained control over their region.
Santhal Rebellion	Leader: Sidhu and Kanhu Location: Birbhum, Bankura, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Bhagalpur, and Monghyr Reasons: The primary reason behind this rebellion was colonial exploitation, heavy taxes, the permanent settlement system, and high interest rates.  Conclusion: The rebellion witnessed major loss of life and destruction of property. Sidhu and Kanhu were killed on the battlefield.
Khond Uprising	Leader: Chakra Bisoi Year:  1837 and 1856 Location: Orissa Reasons: The British government banned the practice of Mariah’s sacrifices. Additionally, they also introduced new tax systems which caused public unrest.  Conclusion: The Khonds used their primitive weapons to stand against the British forces. Despite their consistent efforts, they were eventually suppressed by the technologically advanced weapons of the British army.
Birsa Munda Revolt	Leader: Birsa Munda Year: 1899-1900 Location: Chotanagpur region Reasons: The new land policies of the British government were gradually destroying the traditional land system such as joint tenures and the Khuntkatti system.  Conclusion:The revolt forced the government to prevent dikus from exploiting tribals and snatching away their land. It helped the Mundas in achieving their social and political independence.
Tana Bhagat movement	Leader: Jatra Bhagat  Year: 1914 – 1920 Location: Jharkhand Reasons: Members of the Oraon tribe were facing oppression at the hands of powerful moneylenders and zamindars.  Conclusion:The movement was inspired by Gandhi’s non-violence ideology.People involved in this movement refused to pay taxes while others stopped cultivation.
Rampa rebellion	Leader: Birsa Munda Year: 1899-1900 Location: Chotanagpur region Reasons: The new land policies of the British government were gradually destroying the traditional land system such as joint tenures and the Khuntkatti system.  Conclusion: The revolt forced the government to prevent dikus from exploiting tribals and snatching away their land. It helped the Mundas in achieving their social and political independence.

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