How were the British successful in occupying tribal lands?What was its impact on the tribals?
Answers
Forests constitutes the most significant part of tribal life as their livelihood to a large extent depends on it. Tribals are known to live in harmony with nature and any attempt at their displacement from the forest actually amounts to erosion of their source of livelihood and rights.
Britishers, in order to ensure higher revenue and gain greater access to hinterland ended their relative isolation which affected the tribal way of life and their relationship with the forest.
Britishers dispossessed them of their forest land which they had inhabited for generations. Their forceful evacuation from the forest left them with no option but to settle down In nearby villages and city periphery. Over time, they lost their tribal character and assimilated in the mainstream.
Britishers also restricted their access to minor forest products such as timber, honey etc which formed their main source of income. In absence of other sources of sustenance they resorted to petty works and even some engaged in robbing outsiders and looting their property.
Though the degree of oppression and gravity of subjugation varied from region to region, the complete disruption of the old agrarian order provided the common ground for all tribal uprisings. Santhal uprising in Bihar, Kols uprsing in Chhotanagpur and Rampa in Andhra Pradesh were the main tribal insurrection which offered a stiff resistance to the brutal force of Britishers.Nothwithstanding they were no match to the well drilled and better equipped English Army the uprisings were marked by immense courage and sacrifice.
PLEASE mark me as brain list