Scheduled tribes: history
Tribal Uprisings
Against the British
Birsa Munda | The charismatic tribal leader led an armed uprising, Ulgulan (rebellion), against the oppressive and unjust colonial state and the dikus (outsiders) in 1899-1900. The British had abolished the khuntkatti system (joint ownership of tribal land) causing unrest in areas which are now part of Jharkhand state. Birsa, 24, was hanged but the uprising forced positive changes in the land tenancy acts that followed
Santhal revolt | Widespread economic exploitation caused by colonial forces led to the widespread santhal uprising (hul) of 1855-56. Sido and Kanhu orchestrated the movement which took place in wide swathes of eastern India. Undaunted by British firepower, the santhals fought with bows and arrows and ‘reckless courage’. But were gunned down savagely
Kol uprising | The Kols of Chhotanagpur were in revolt from 1820 to 1837 against the invasive and exploitative land and economic policies of the East India Company. Thousands of them were slaughtered before the colonial rulers could establish their dominance in the region again
Bhil rebellion | In 1818, the Bhils of the Khandesh region (located in Maharashtra now) rose against the colonial masters for being denied forest rights. The uprising lasted for over a decade
Paika Bidroh | The Paika Bidroh (rebellion) took place under the leadership of Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar in 1817. The Paikas were peasant militias who served the Gajapati rulers of Odisha. The armed uprising was caused by the oppressive policies of the East India Company. Jagabandhu died in jail
Rani Gaidinliu | The Naga leader spent 14 years in jail (1932-46) for opposing the British and urging people not to pay taxes. Last year the process to set up the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at her birthplace began
