Introduction – Who Were the Tribals?

• Tribals were indigenous communities living in forests, hills, and remote areas.
• They followed unique traditions, customs, and social structures that were different from settled agricultural societies.
• They survived through shifting agriculture, hunting, gathering forest produce, and pastoralism (animal herding).

Major Tribal Communities in India

How Did Tribal Groups Live?

Tribal life was different from settled agricultural communities. They followed four main ways of living:

Shifting Cultivators (Jhum Cultivation)

• Tribals cleared forest areas and practiced shifting cultivation (Jhum farming).
• They burned the land, grew crops for a few years, and then moved to another location.
• Common in Northeast India, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
• The British banned shifting cultivation because it made tax collection difficult.

Hunters and Gatherers

• Some tribes depended on forest produce, hunting, and fishing.
• Collected honey, fruits, roots, and medicinal plants from forests.
• Restricted hunting and forest access, making survival difficult.

Animal Herders

• Some tribes like Van Gujjars (Himalayas) and Gaddis (Himachal Pradesh) were nomadic herders.
• Moved seasonally with their cattle and sheep.
• Took away pastures and forced them to settle.

Settled Farmers

• Some tribes, like the Santhals, became settled agriculturists.
• Grew rice, maize, and other crops on permanent land.
• Heavy land taxes forced them into debt and poverty.

Who Were the Dikus and Why Did Tribals Fear Them?

• Dikus was a term tribals used for outsiders who exploited them.
• These included:
  • British officials – Imposed taxes, banned shifting agriculture.
  • Moneylenders (Sahukars) – Gave loans at high interest rates, trapping tribals in debt.
  • Traders – Bought forest produce at cheap prices and sold goods at high prices.
  • Missionaries – Tried to convert tribals to Christianity.

Why Did Tribals Fear the Dikus?

• They lost control over land and forests.
• Were forced into bonded labor (begar) to repay debts.
• Their traditional lifestyle and economy were destroyed.

How Did Colonial Rule Affect Tribal Lives?

The British introduced several policies that disrupted tribal life and made them dependent on moneylenders and traders.

Land and Forest Policies

• British declared forests as government property.
• Restricted shifting cultivation, hunting, and wood collection.
• Forced tribals to work as laborers in plantations, mines, and railways.

The Impact of British Land Revenue Policies

• British introduced high taxes, forcing many tribals to take loans from moneylenders.
• If they failed to repay, their land was taken away.

Exploitation by Moneylenders and Traders

• Moneylenders charged high-interest loans, trapping tribals in debt slavery.
• Tribals had to sell their land or work as bonded laborers to repay loans.

Tribal Revolts Against the British and Dikus

As British rule became harsher, tribal groups started resisting and revolting.

Major Tribal Revolts

Birsa Munda and the Vision of a Golden Age

• Birsa Munda (1875–1900) was a tribal leader who fought against British exploitation.
• He wanted to restore tribal self-rule and bring back their lost freedom.

Birsa’s Vision of a Golden Age

• Tribals would rule their own lands.
• No Zamindars, moneylenders, or British officials.
• Forests and lands would belong to tribals again.

Munda Rebellion (1899–1900)

• Led a movement against British landlords and moneylenders.
• Declared himself as the messiah (savior) of tribals.
• Arrested and died in 1900, but his movement inspired future revolts.

The Legacy of Tribal Movements and Their Impact

• The British introduced laws to protect tribal lands after several revolts.
• Tribal identities and movements continued during the Indian freedom struggle.
• Today, many tribal communities still fight for land rights and forest protection.

Conclusion

• Tribals lived in forests and followed different occupations like hunting, farming, and animal herding.
• Dikus (outsiders) like British officials, moneylenders, and traders exploited them.
• The British introduced harsh land policies, banned shifting agriculture, and forced tribals into bonded labor.
• Tribal communities like the Santhals, Mundas, and Kols revolted against British rule.
• Birsa Munda led a major tribal movement for self-rule and a return to a ‘Golden Age’.
• Even today, tribal communities continue to fight for their land and cultural rights.