History of Tribal Struggle for Self-Rule in Jharkhand Tracing the History of Tribal Exploitation Historically, the tribals had always lived as masters of their lives and their system of communal holding of agricultural land continued uninterrupted. There was no system by which land could be owned as private property by individuals. It was one of the best egalitarian and democratic system of land holding known to the best civilized region. But once the colonial British arrived they also brought with them corrupt practices and exploitative system of governance. In Munda areas the village headman was called the Munda. The head of a cluster of villages – killi – was called Manki who was always elected. The clusters of villages were created for mutual help during war. The local chiefs received no rent, rather only assistance in war and “salami” (gifts given as a mark of respect) at festivals. In Oraon areas, community ownership of land was known as “bhuinhari” held by the original settlers; it was also rent free. The Raja of local chiefs had separate land known as “Majhas”. The rajas gave the land to the tribals, who cultivated and paid a share to the Rajas (kings). There was a similar system among the Cheros and Kharwars of Palamau. However, during the Mughal regime the regional “jagirdars” began controlling almost all lands of the tribes and of Rajas also. They collected pre-decided revenue on behalf of the Mughal rulers. When the British snatched territories they started serving the new masters and their exploitative commercial interests. The white rulers were far more exploitative and demanded hefty revenues which turned the jagirdars and their middlemen far more oppressive. They soon started taking possessions of land themselves and made the tribals cultivate these lands for free. Thus, the simple and naïve tribals were reduced to the status of slave laborers on their own lands. It was for the first time that land owning tribals were reduced to the status of tenants. This process started among the Cheros and Kharwars of Palamu, and later among the Oraons, Santhals and then among the Mundas and the Hos. The net result was a severe blow to the community oriented lifestyle and land ownership of the adivasis.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 09:35:16 +0000
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