Colonialism and Tribal Societies


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Colonialism and Tribal Societies

Colonialism and Tribal Societies: the next target of British greeders was the tribals of India, who lived in deep forests and led a life of self-sufficiency. Their traditional economy was built around forests. They firmly believed that the forests belonged to them and they belonged to the forest.

Impact on the Tribal Life: Almost every tribe had a tribal chief. But under the British rule, the chiefs lost all power and were forced to follow the laws made by the British officers in India. The Britishers did not want shifting cultivation because it was difficult to control. But the tribals forced the Britishers to allow them to continue shifting cultivation. Many tribals had to move to other areas in search livelihood. This created a shortage of labourers to cut trees for the railway sleepers and to transport logs

During the nineteenth century, when the demand for the forest produce increased, they went to the tribals and offered them cash loans. When the demand for Indian silk increased, efforts were made encourage silk production.  The traders approached the growers. They gave them cash loans and collected cocoons from them. He just paid 3/- for one thousand cocoons and then sold them at five time more.

A large number of tribals were recruited through contractors to work in the tea plantations in far off areas of Assam. They were paid low wages and were not allowed to go back home.

Tribal Revolts: revolt by Khasis, who lived in the Khasi hills of north-west Assam, took place in 1829. The construction of a road through their land united many Khasi chiefs against the English under the leadership of Bar Manik and Tirut Singh. In 1895, Birsa Munda, a young boy, emerged as hero of tribals. He urged them to work on their land to earn their living. This would end all their sufferings.

As the Birsa movement spread, the popularity of Birsa Munda also increased. He told his people that land policies of the British were destroying their traditional land system. Birsa was jailed for two years but on his release, he instigated the tribals to attack zamindars. He raised the white flag as a symbol of Birsa Raj.

 
 


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