BPSC 64th Mains (GS - 1)
(History: Tribal Revolt)
Examine the characteristics of tribal protest in the 19th century with suitable examples. Give reasons for their failure.
Approach
- Brief intro about tribal revolts and their causes
- Common characteristics of all the major tribal revolts under suitable sub-headings
- Reason for their failure
- Conclusion
The rising discontent among tribals resulted into a huge number of tribal uprisings against the colonial rule and its attendants in the late 18th and 19th century.
Imposition of new land revenue settlement, intrusion of outsiders into their land, confiscation of their traditional land holdings, restriction of their forest rights, etc were the prominent reasons behind such tribal revolts.
Though the tribal revolts happened at different time and space, they exhibit some common characteristics. Such as -
- Localised Character of revolt - Though the uprisings were massive in number, they were localised in nature and hence were easily suppressed. For example - Ho and Munda rebellion occured in Chhotanagpur area, Santhal revolt in between Bhagalpur and Rajmahal Hills, Ahom revolt in Assam.
- Violent Confrontation - Tribal revolts were violent in nature where large number of people (both tribals and non-tribals) were killed. For example - Nearly 15,000 people died during Santhal revolt.
- Charismatic leader - Mostly tribal revolts were led by some charismatic personality who sometimes claimed to possess divine powers. For example - Sidhu and Kanhu leader of Santhal revolt told that the Thakur (God) had communicated with them and told them to take up arms against Dikus. Birsa Munda leader of Munda rebellion claimed to be the messenger of God.
- Lack of proper planning and organisation - Mostly tribal revolts were spontaneous in nature and lacked proper organisation and planning.
- Non-progressive and backward looking - The tribal revolts were non-progressive and backward looking in nature and wanted to restore the past practices.
- Directed against the Dikus - The tribal revolts were mostly directed against the outsiders (Dikus).
- Lack of Nationalism - These tribal revolts were based on local grievances, and they targeted the immediate oppressors like Moneylenders, Zamindars, Local officers, etc.
Though the tribals fight with immense courage, the revolts were crushed ruthlessly due to some inherent weaknesses.
Reason for the failure of the revolts
- Unequal fight - The fight between the tribals and the Britishers was unequal in nature. Britishers on one hand is equipped with modern weapons and have a disciplined army whereas tribals were using their primitive weapons like swords, bow & arrow, spears, etc
- Lack of proper organisation - The tribals lacked proper organisation and hence thousands of tribals were defeated by a handful of British soldiers.
- Local Character of the Revolts - The tribal revolts mostly confined to their area and thus remain isolated from the rest of India and thus did not gain wider support from masses.
- Spontaneous and scatter nature of the Revolts - Though the revolts were massive in number, they were scattered and occurred at different time and space. Thus, Britishers easily suppressed them one by one.
Though the tribals fought bravely for their land and custom, the revolts were crushed with immense brutality. Yet they were successful in gaining some concession and some land related rights. After Independence, Indian government took proper consideration of tribals and duly recognised their tribal rights and customs in the Constitution of India.
BPSC 66th Mains - History (GS -I)
Question 1: What were the causes of the Santhal revolt? What were its course and outcome?
Question 2: Explain the characteristics of Birsa Movement.
BPSC 66th Mains - Polity (GS - II)
Question 2: "Indian federal structure is constitutionally oriented towards the central government." Explain.
Question 3: "The uneven development of Indian states has created many socio-economic and political problems." Critically analyse the statement with special reference to Bihar.
Question 4: "Parliament of India is an effective forum of national integration." Discuss.
Notes to boost your Preparation
Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own.
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