Short note on the tribal revolts in north east india
Answers
In the 19th century and early 20th century, the tribals in different parts of our country stood against the British Administration. These uprisings played a very significant role in the freedom struggle of the country. Apparently, these tribals lived an isolated life away from the mainstream of the modern civilization, yet they had belongingness with the common national cause of India.
These revolts were sometimes against the landlords and feudal lords and at other times against the oppressive British government officials. The nature of these revolts was agrarian and forest based because, agriculture and forests was their everything. Their anger was against the exploitation by moneylenders and the petty government officials, normally over the land and forest rights. The British Administration never took positive interest to uniformly develop their standard of living.
The tribal societies were influenced by the then socio-political circumstances as well. Some leaders of the tribal societies took part in creating the wave of nationality and patriotism.
Most tribal movements occurred in North & North-East India and some occurred in the isolated regions of the South India. But due to the problem of non availability of the study materials, lack of interpretation, lack of combined methodology etc., the study of these tribal uprising very limited.
Still, on the nature of the revolts, these uprising can be divided into reactionary, conservative and revolutionary. The reactionary movements were against the measures by the contemporary government which compelled them to give up the elements (evil elements too) of their society. The conservative were also against those measures, as an attempt to protect their socio-cultural fabric. The revolutionary movements were against all kinds of oppressions these people suffered. A further classification divides them into Ethnic movements, Agrarian movements and Political Movements.
In the 19th century and early 20th century, the tribals in various sections of our nation persisted against the British government. These rebellions presented a very important role in the liberation conflict of the nation. Obviously, these tribals subsisted a private life away from modern advancement, yet they had a sense of belonging with the democratic cause of India.
These revolutions were sometimes corresponding the landowners and feudal masters and at many times against the tyrannical British government officials. The features of these revolts were agrarian and forest-based because farming and forests land was the basis of there survival. Their violence was against the exploitation done by money lenders and the frivolous administration officials, who had took over their farm and forest benefits. The British Administration never adopted assertive interest to consistently improve their standard of subsistence.
The tribal communities were inspired by the socio-political conditions as well. Some members of the tribal communities took part in organizing the uprising for nationality and loyalty. Most tribal uprisings happened in North & North-East India and some happened in the secluded areas of South India.