Tribal Movements

Primary Causes for Major Tribal Movements of 19th and 20th Centuries

The colonization policies exploited and marginalized the tribal communities, and the attack on the external forces led to major tribal movements during the 19th and 20th centuries. The key causes include the following.

1. Economic exploitation and land alienation
– British Land Policies: Tribal lands were expropriated for revenue settlements, reserved forests, and plantations that deprived tribals of their basic resource base.
– Non-tribal Invasion: Outsiders-money lenders, landlords, traders-entered tribal areas. They exploited the tribal communities economically and occupied tribal land.
– Commercial Agriculture: The British promoted monoculture of commercial crops that had replaced subsistence agriculture and subsequently led to hunger.

2. Displacement and Loss of Autonomy:
Forest Laws: The British forest policies disallowed tribal groups from hunting, grazing, or gathering in forests.
– Forced Labor: Tribals were coerced into working for the colonial authorities or private companies under exploitative conditions (e.g., plantations, railways, and mines).
– Infrastructure Projects: Development projects like dams and railways led to mass displacement of tribal communities without adequate rehabilitation.

3. Social and Cultural Alienation:
– Violation of Traditions: The imposition of foreign legal systems and proselytization could win the battle against their traditional system of administration and other traditions.
– Missionary Pressure: Tribal people suffered social hostility and loss of identity because of the conversion by Christian missionaries.
4. Taxation Excess
– The British also taxed forest products and farm lands with heavy rates which further increased their poverty.

5. Anti-Exploitative Agents Revolt:
– Moneylenders and Traders: The tribal masses are forced to fall into the debt traps by the exploitative money lenders. Such mechanisms had its opponents in Birsa Munda, leaders.
– The Corruption of Local Officials: Often Government officials and local landlords abused their powers that accelerated the
further jeopardizing tribal resistances further.

Important Tribal Movements :
Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): A rebellion against exploitation by moneylenders and landlords and encroachment of tribal land
Munda Rebellion (1899-1900): Led by Birsa Munda, a rebellion against forced labor, alienation of tribal land, and British policies.
– Bhil Revolts: Against the western region of India on issues of revenue collection and the deprivation of forest rights.
– Tebhaga Movement (1946): Peasant struggle in Bengal that included tribal farmers for better crop shares.

Conclusion
Tribal movements were mainly motivated by economic exploitation, land alienation, cultural marginalization, and oppressive policies. These uprisings reflected tribal resistance to colonial dominance and the erosion of their traditional way of life.