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Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
What did Birsa Munda and his followers do after his release in 1897?
When Birsa was released in 1897 he began touring the villages to gather support. He used traditional symbols and language to rouse people, urging them to destroy “Ravana” (dikus and the Europeans) and establish a kingdom under his leadership.
Birsa’s followers began targeting the symbols of diku and European power. They attacked police stations and churches, and raided the property of moneylenders and zamindars. They raised the white flag as a symbol of Birsa Raj.
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The British described the tribal people as ___________.
The method of sowing seeds in jhum cultivation is known as ____________.
The tribal chiefs got __________ titles in central India under the British land settlements.
Tribals went to work in the ______________ of Assam and the ____________in Bihar.
Jhum cultivators plough the land and sow seeds.
Cocoons were bought from the Santhals and sold by the traders at five times the purchase price.
Birsa urged his followers to purify themselves, give up drinking liquor and stop believing in witchcraft and sorcery.
The British wanted to preserve the tribal way of life.
What problems did shifting cultivators face under British rule?
How did the powers of tribal chiefs change under colonial rule?
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