Jharkhand Tribes Fight for Rights

• 12 Nov 2024

Why in News?

For the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand, Political parties announced plans to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but assured that tribal communities would be excluded from its provisions and emphasised the protection of their rights and security.

• Tribals have played a vital role in Jharkhand’s socio-political landscape and their struggles have sparked numerous historical movements.

Key Points

• British Control and Tribal Resistance in Jharkhand:
  • Geographical Context: Jharkhand, primarily located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in eastern India, came under British control in 1765 when the Mughals granted Diwani rights over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to the British, allowing them to collect revenue.
  • Tribal Inhabitants: Jharkhand’s plateau region has long been inhabited by tribes like the Munda, Santhal, Oraon, Ho, and Birhor, with agriculture forming the primary livelihood for over half of these tribal workers, exceeding the national Scheduled Tribe average of 44.7%.
• Colonial Policies and Tribal Revolts:
  • The British introduced commercial agriculture and mining, displacing many tribes from their lands. This exploitation led tribal leaders to organize movements to protect their rights and resist British rule.
  • Scholars Ram Dayal Munda and Bisheshwar Prasad Keshari identified 1769-93 as the initial phase of resistance, followed by a period of open revolt in the succeeding decade.
• Key Tribal Rebellions:
  • Dhal Revolt (1767-1777):
    • Leader: Jagannath Dhal, former king of Dhalbhum (now in West Bengal), led the first significant revolt against British intrusion.
    • British Response: The revolt lasted 10 years, prompting the British to reinstate Dhal as ruler in 1777. This revolt marked the beginning of sustained tribal resistance.
  • Munda Rebellion (1899-1900):
    • Leader: Led by Birsa Munda, the rebellion aimed to overthrow British control, expel outsiders, and establish an independent Munda state.
    • Objectives and Tactics: The Mundas employed guerrilla tactics and targeted colonial officials, moneylenders, and missionaries.
    • Outcome: Birsa was arrested and later died in prison in 1900, but the rebellion left a lasting impact, with Birsa celebrated as a hero among the Mundas.
  • Tana Bhagat Movement (1914):
    • Founder: Jatra Bhagat of the Oraon tribe called for a return to traditional practices and launched a no-rent campaign against colonial rule.
    • Alliances: The Tana Bhagats joined revolutionary Congress activists, participating in the Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation, and Civil Disobedience movements.
    • Legacy: The movement introduced ideas of non-violence and collective action, influencing the larger Independence movement.
• Jharkhand Movement and Statehood:
  • The late 1980s saw a resurgence of Jharkhand’s identity, with the formation of the All Jharkhand Students Union (1986) and the Jharkhand Coordination Committee (1987), leading to the Jharkhand Movement and eventual statehood in 2000.
  • The Jharkhand Movement highlighted the gradual disintegration of Jharkhand culture over 200 years, particularly under British rule. Today, tribal communities continue to face challenges like land disputes, low literacy rates, poverty, and exploitation amidst industrial growth.