Question

Information bastar revolution

Answer 1

The rebellion of Bastar in 1910 was caused by a combination of various factors. These included displacement, increased land rent and demands for free labour and goods. The most important reason was the attitude of the colonial government which wanted to subjugate the people and destroy their way of living by taking over their lands. In 1905, the colonial government proposed the reservation of two-thirds of the forest area and stop shifting cultivation, hunting and collection of forest produce. Those who were allowed to stay in the reserved areas had to work for the forest department. Gatherings of people took place where these issues were discussed. Gunda Dhur was an important leader during this time. Secret messages inviting the villagers to rebel were passed during this time. Bazaars were looted, houses of officials, traders, schools and police stations were burnt and robbed. All those who were attacked were associated with colonial state and its laws. The British ultimately put the rebellion down by employing heavy force. The reservations though, were temporarily suspended and the area under them was reduced to half.

Bastar rebellion refers to the Bhumkal rebellion of 1910. The major cause of the rebellion was the declaration of forests as reserved areas in 1908, by the British. Only government contractors were allowed to take forest timber for the construction of railways. It was a widespread tribal movement affecting more than half of the 84 parganas of Bastar. The tribals wanted to reassert their traditional rights over the forests and natural resources of the region. Other reasons included the humiliation of the tribal king by the British and disrespect for tribal traditions. The tribals also felt that their culture was threatened by British education policy. The movement was a continuation of previous protests in the region. It was symbolical of tribal resistance to attempts to change their way of life. Ultimately it was crushed by the use of brutal force by the British.