Question

Describe the revolt by people of bastar?

Answer 1

The people of Bastar started a revolt against the British because the government proposed to reserve two-thirds of the forest in 1905 and stop shifting cultivation, hunting and collection of forest produce. Tribals also suffered from increased land rents and frequent demands of free labour and goods by colonial officials. The rebellion was initiated by the Dhurwas of the Kanger forest. An important figure of the movement was Gunda Dhur from village Nethanar. The message of the rebellion was spread through the circulation of mango boughs, a lump of earth, chillies and arrows. Each village contributed to the expenses related to the rebellion. Tribals of Bastar attacked all symbols of the colonial state powerand its oppressive laws. The British Government responded with brutal repression. As the government troops unleashed a campaign of violent retribution, the tribals fled into the jungle. Gunda Dhur was never captured. Work on reservation was stalled temporarily, and when it was resumed, the area had been reduced roughly to half the size planned before 1910.