Tribal Movement
Tribal Movement
Tribal Movement
11.0 Introduction
11.1 Definition, Characteristics and Classification
11.2 Tribal Movements in Pre-Independent India
11.2.1 The Santal Hull
11.2.2 The Bastar Movement
11.2.3 The Bhuyan and Juang Movement
11.3 Tribal Movement in Post-Independent India
11.3.1 The Jharkhand Movement
11.3.2 The Naga Movement
11.3.3 The Kalinganagar Movement
11.4 Impacts of Tribal Movements
11.5 Summary
11.6 References
11.7 Answers to Check Your Progress
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this unit, you will be able to:
understand “tribal movement” and its characteristics;
understand the factors which were responsible for the tribal movements in pre-
independent India;
analyse the nature of contemporary tribal movements in India;
know in detail the major tribal movements before and after the independence of
India; and
understand the impact of these movements on tribal life.
11.0 INTRODUCTION
In this unit, we will deal with a very important issue that has been a matter of concern
for scholars from various disciplines such as anthropology, history, political science
and sociology. We will talk about tribal movements of India which continues to be a
burning topic even today. Indigenous societies, as we know, are different in many
aspects from the modern industrial societies. Their culture, worldviews and cosmologies
are different from those of modern societies. With the emergence of nation states after
World War II most indigenous societies in the world are coming into contact with the
neighboring states willingly or unwillingly. They are being assimilated, integrated or
If we examine the nature of tribal movements we can observe that they are mostly
spontaneous outburst of long pent-up anger against the exploiters such as government
officials, landlords, money-lenders and traders. Most of these movements are marked
by exemplary unity among the people against the oppressors. Ethnic identity and the
sense of indigeneity contributed to the social solidarity. Another characteristic feature
of tribal movements is that most of them aimed to solve only immediate grievances.
Only a few of them looked beyond the immediate needs to think of any long-term goal
or issue. Almost all the tribal movements took violent turn and subsided only with
heavy bloodshed. The other characteristic feature of tribal movements is the local
character of the movements. Many of them started and persisted locally. Another
distinguishing character of tribal movement is the lack of leadership and inability of the
adivasis to coordinate among themselves to march ahead towards their goal strategically.
Tribal movements used only traditional arms such as bow, arrow, and axes. In the post
independent India the naxalite movement used modern weapons though most other
tribal movements still relied on traditional arms.
Classification of Tribal Movements
We can study tribal movements according to their various types. There have been
attempts to categorise tribal movements in various ways. One of the most cited
classification of tribal movements is given by Mahapatra (1972). He divided the tribal
movements into reactionary, conservative, revisionary or revolutionary. The reactionary
movements aim to bring back the “good old days” whereas the conservative movements
try to maintain the status quo. The revolutionary movements attempt to transform the
society by “purification” or improvement of culture by eliminating the “evil” or “low”
customs or beliefs or institutions. Another way to categorise tribal movements is to
study them as ethnic rebellion, reform movements, movements for political autonomy,
secessionist movements and agrarian unrest (Sinha, 1968). In this unit we will discuss
tribal movements in two major categories: the pre-independence and post-independence
tribal movements.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and demanded for a separate Jharkhand state. In
1983 the demand for a separate state of Jharkhand continued with protest march and
economic blockade programme under the leadership of JMM. Violent bandhs were
also called and an all party meeting was called by Sibu Soren in 1992. The demand
continued and amidst political ups and downs finally in 2000 the Parliament approved
the Bihar Reorganisation Bill and on 15th November the state of Jharkhand was formed.
11.5 SUMMARY
Tribal movements have been organised for various reasons across various parts of our
country. The tribes of north-east India faced different challenges than the tribes of
most other parts of India. Those have been discussed in this unit under two broad
categories: movements before and after Indian independence. The tribal movements
before independence were mostly against the exploitative nexus between the British
government and the dikus representing the landlords, money-lenders and traders. These
movements, after much sacrifices, also yielded certain positive policy measures beneficial
to the adivasis. The movements after independence were organised around the issue
of development disparities culminating in movements for political autonomy. We have
also observed identity based movement, especially in the north-east part of India after
independence. Ethnic identity is considered a major cause of development disparity in
north-east India and consequently political autonomy and sometimes secession is aimed
as solution. Indian tribes have also been organising movements against development-
induced displacements. The impacts of these movements have been immense in terms
of economic, political and social gains. Rights of adivasis and relevance of indigenous
knowledge systems have been highlighted in these tribal movements.
11.6 REFERENCES
Das, N.K. (1982). The Naga movement. In K.S., Singh (Ed.). Tribal Movements in
India (Vol 1, pp 39–52). New Delhi: Manohar Publications.
Gell, A. (1997). Exalting the king and obstructing the State: A political interpretation of
royal ritual in Bastar district, central India. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological
Institute 3(3), pp. 433–450
Guha, R. (1983). Forestry in British and post-British India: A historical analysis.
Economic and Political Weekly 18(45/46), pp. 1940–1947
Kikhi, K. (2020). The Naga homeland movement: Historical trajectory and
contemporary relevance. Economic and Political Weekly, Volume 55, Issue 23
Mahapatra, L.K. (1972). Social movements among tribes in India. in K.S., Singh
(Ed.). Tribal Situation in India. Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Mishra, P.K. (1983). Political unrest in Orissa in the 19th century. Calcutta: Punthi
Pustak.
Mishra, P.K., & Mishra, P.K. (1987). Political economy of tribal uprisings in Keonjhar
in 1891-93. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress , 1987, Vol. 48, pp. 383-
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Sen, J. (1972). The Jharkhand movement. In K.S.Singh (Ed). Tribal Situation in Tribal Movements*
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Singh, S.K. (2005). Inside Jharkhand. New Delhi: Crown Publication.
Sinha, S. (1968). Tribal solidarity and messianic movements: A review article.
Contributions to Indian Sociology, 2(1), 112-118
Sinha, S. (1972). Tribal solidarity movements in India: A review. In K.S.Singh (Ed.).
Tribal Situation in India. Simla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
Verma, R.C. (1995). Indian Tribes through Ages. Publication Division, Ministry of
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Xalxo, A. (2008). The great Santal insurrection (Hul) Of 1855-56. Proceedings of
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