Tribal Revolts of Bihar - BPSC (Bihar) MCQ

The Indian Forest Act of 1878 was a key factor leading to the Munda Revolt. This Act restricted tribal access to forest resources, which were vital for their livelihood. Under this law, large tracts of forest were declared "reserved" and controlled by the British, making it illegal for tribes to collect firewood, timber, and other forest products without permission. For the Munda tribe, whose economy and culture were closely tied to the forests, this act was deeply disruptive. It led to widespread anger and resentment, contributing to Birsa Munda's rebellion against both the colonial government and the oppressive zamindari system. The revolt sought to restore tribal rights over their land and resources, marking a significant protest against British colonial policies.

The Lotah Uprising of 1856 was sparked by the British decision to replace brass vessels with earthen vessels in jails. This action deeply offended the religious sentiments of the local population in Bihar, particularly in Arrah and Muzaffarpur, where brass vessels were considered sacred. The replacement was viewed as an insult to the cultural and religious practices of the people. The uprising was thus a reaction to this symbolic affront, rather than to political or economic issues. It reflected the growing discontent among the common people in Bihar with the British interference in their everyday lives, and it marked a significant episode in the series of uprisings in British India. The revolt highlighted the power of cultural and religious symbols in mobilizing resistance against colonial rule.

The Sapha Har Movement, led by Bhagirath Manjhi in 1868, was primarily supported by the Santhal community. The movement aimed to bring about social and religious reforms by opposing traditional customs such as animal sacrifices. It also advocated for the worship of a single God, challenging the prevailing practices and beliefs within the community. The Sapha Har Movement played a crucial role in the social awakening among the Santhals, inspiring other tribal groups to question oppressive religious practices and move towards a more reformed spiritual outlook.

The Munda Revolt, led by Birsa Munda, was primarily supported by the Munda tribe. The revolt aimed to resist the British-imposed forest laws and unfair land rights that heavily exploited the indigenous tribes. The Ho tribe was not the main group involved in this revolt, making statement 3 incorrect. Thus, the correct answer is Option A, as both statements 1 and 2 are accurate regarding the Munda Revolt. The Munda tribe led the rebellion to restore their land and traditional rights, with Birsa Munda as their charismatic leader.

The Nonia Revolt, which took place between 1700 and 1800 in Bihar, was a protest against the exploitation of the Nonia community, who were involved in saltpetre production. This revolt was a collective uprising rather than being led by a prominent leader. The Nonia community faced unfair treatment from the British East India Company, which was heavily taxing their production of saltpetre, a key component for gunpowder. This community-based resistance lacked a central figurehead, unlike other uprisings, which is why no specific leader is associated with it.

The Sanyasi Movement was a major anti-British uprising led by Hindu Sanyasis (ascetics) and Muslim Fakirs between 1762 and 1774. These religious figures, who were often marginalized by colonial policies, came together to resist the British colonial regime, especially in Bengal and Bihar. They believed in the idea of Swaraj (self-rule) and aimed to establish an independent rule free from British control. The movement gained momentum due to the widespread suffering among local communities under British economic policies, including heavy taxation. They were also supported by local peasants, who saw the Sanyasis and Fakirs as champions of their rights.

The Sardari Movement, initiated in 1858, was led by Christian tribal peasants as a response to the exploitation by landlords and the oppressive Begari system, which involved forced labor without wages. This agrarian revolt aimed to bring reforms and highlighted the dire socio-economic conditions of tribal communities under colonial rule. Over time, the Sardari Movement merged with the Birsa Munda-led resistance, further amplifying its impact. This amalgamation strengthened tribal unity in the fight against exploitation and marked an essential step in tribal uprisings during British rule.

The Kol Uprising (1831-1832), led by Budhu Bhagat, was a tribal revolt in Bihar against the British and local landlords. The Kols, an indigenous tribal group, revolted against the unfair transfer of their lands to outsiders, particularly moneylenders and landowners from non-tribal communities. They were also opposed to the oppressive land revenue policies of the British, which further impoverished the tribal communities. The uprising took place in the regions of Ranchi and Singhbhum (modern-day Jharkhand), and although it was crushed by the British, it inspired future resistance movements among indigenous communities in the region.

The Bhumij Revolt of 1832-33 was a tribal uprising led by Ganga Narayan Singh, a leader of the Bhumij tribe. The revolt was in response to the increasing land revenue demands and exploitative practices by the British East India Company, which heavily affected the local tribal communities. The Bhumij tribe, native to the regions of Singhbhum (in present-day Jharkhand), faced the imposition of high taxes and the sale of land to non-tribals, which led to their dispossession. The revolt was a response to both the economic exploitation and the encroachment of their lands.

The Santhal Uprising (1855-56) was a significant rebellion against the exploitation of the Santhal tribe by British officials and zamindars. It indeed led to the creation of the Santhal Pargana to manage the affairs of the Santhal people. However, the statement that Sidhu and Kanhu were executed immediately after the revolt is incorrect. While Sidhu died during the uprising, Kanhu was captured and later executed. Therefore, the correct answer is Option A, as both statements 1 and 2 are not entirely correct.

The Tamar Revolt, which took place between 1789 and 1832, occurred primarily in the Chota Nagpur plateau region. The tribes of Chota Nagpur, including the Oraon, Munda, and Ho, revolted against the British colonial administration's agricultural policies and exploitation. The British had imposed heavy taxes and restricted the tribals’ traditional agricultural practices, which led to widespread unrest. The movement was also rooted in the local dissatisfaction with the increasing encroachment of landlords, moneylenders, and outsiders on tribal lands. The revolt played a significant role in the larger resistance against colonial rule in the region.

The Ho and Munda Uprising, which took place between 1820 and 1837, was a series of protests and revolts led by the Ho and Munda tribes in the Chota Nagpur plateau region. The British-imposed taxes and land policies severely affected the tribal communities. Additionally, the tribal people faced exploitation from local zamindars and moneylenders. The movement involved both armed resistance and a struggle to preserve their traditional rights to land and forest resources. The uprisings eventually merged with the larger movements such as the Sardari Movement and laid the foundation for further resistance against British colonial rule in the region.

The Tana Bhagat Movement was initiated in 1914 by the Oraon tribe in the Chota Nagpur region. This movement began as a religious movement with the aim of purifying the tribal beliefs and practices. It was influenced by the idea of rejecting the exploitative practices of both the British and local landlords. The Tana Bhagats believed in non-violence, and their primary aim was to promote spiritual well-being by following the teachings of their leaders. Over time, the movement also became a part of the larger tribal resistance against British colonial rule, contributing to the broader struggle for independence.

The Wahabi Movement, led by Syed Ahmad of Raebareli, was a reformist movement within Islam aimed at purifying the faith by eliminating un-Islamic practices such as idol worship, Sufism, and rituals that were considered deviations from the core teachings of Islam. Syed Ahmad was inspired by the teachings of Shah Waliullah and aimed to establish an Islamic state free from British influence. The movement spread across northern India and found strong support in regions like Bihar and Bengal. It was also anti-colonial, as it sought to challenge both British rule and the influence of British-aligned Muslim elites.

The Santhal Uprising, which took place between 1855 and 1856, was led by Sidhu and Kanhu, two brothers from the Santhal tribe. The revolt was a response to the oppressive policies of the British and the exploitation by local landlords and moneylenders. The Santhals, who were primarily settled in the Rajmahal hills of Bihar and Bengal, faced heavy taxation, land alienation, and forced labor. Sidhu and Kanhu, along with other Santhal leaders, organized the uprising, which aimed at establishing the rights of the tribal people over their land and ending the exploitation they faced under both the British and the local elites. Although the revolt was crushed by the British, it became a symbol of resistance for indigenous tribes in India.