Different Movements for a Separate State | Jharkhand State (JPSC) PSC: Preparation - JPSC (Jharkhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Amar Ujala Publications Jharkhand : General Knowledge
SUTIAMBE : It is located in Romehi the local legend states that Nagbanshi
rajas of Chotanagpur had their original capital at Suitambe. It is also said that
Phani Mukut Rai was the original founder of the dynasty and Sutiamber remained
the capital during the reign of three rajas. The fourth raja, Pratap Rai, transferred
the capital to Chutia.
TANGINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated at Majhgaon in Gumla dis-
trict a very large size trident is the most important remain here. Its metal is com-
pared to the metal of famous Mehraulh pillar near Qutb Minar as both of them are
rust free. On the hillock, hundreds of sculpture of Ganesha. Uma Maheshwara,
Laxmi, Vishnu, Nandi, Durga etc. are lying scattered. This temple was constructed
by the ancestors of King of Jashpur and later it was renovated by the Zamindar of
Majhgaon. Its style indicates the date between 10th-12th century A.D. It is very
famous temple of Jharkhand.
TELIAGARH
There is a palace which is known as Gatewav of Bengal. Sher Shah had
defeated Humayun at Teliagarh. The palace has become dilapidated and only a
wall (about 250 feet) exists as a remnant. This place in localed on Rajmahal hill.
DIFFERRENT MOVEMENTS FOR A SEPERATE STATE
THE KISHAN SABHA
The leaders of the Unnati samaj were not satisfied with the middle-class and
urban bias of their organisation. They thought of making qualified and broad platform
for the uplift and advance of tribal society. They wanted to mobilize the peasantry
by making the land problem a central plank of their activities.  Some of them like
Theble Oraon and Paul Dayal, decided to leave the Samaj and formed the Kisan
Sabha in 1931. This new orgazination and the Chotanagpur Unnati samaj differed
on the means for the amelioration of the problems faced by the tribal population.
The Kisan sabha belived in radical action, mobilization of the peasantry to force the
goverment to act, Whereas, the Chhota Nagpur Samaj sought deliverance trrough
petitions and memoranda.
Except for this major difference between the moderates and the Extremists, the
leadership of the two organization was similar Most of the leaders were well edu-
cated and middle-class people who were acquainted with the areas outside the
tribal belt.
THE DACCA STUDENTS UNION
The political movement started in Jharkhand in the begining of the twentieth
century.
The Jharkhand movement and the related political developments began with
the efforts of a student of St. Columbus College, Chaibasa—an institution that
became an important centre of tribal political activity in the region. The pioneer
Page 2


Amar Ujala Publications Jharkhand : General Knowledge
SUTIAMBE : It is located in Romehi the local legend states that Nagbanshi
rajas of Chotanagpur had their original capital at Suitambe. It is also said that
Phani Mukut Rai was the original founder of the dynasty and Sutiamber remained
the capital during the reign of three rajas. The fourth raja, Pratap Rai, transferred
the capital to Chutia.
TANGINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated at Majhgaon in Gumla dis-
trict a very large size trident is the most important remain here. Its metal is com-
pared to the metal of famous Mehraulh pillar near Qutb Minar as both of them are
rust free. On the hillock, hundreds of sculpture of Ganesha. Uma Maheshwara,
Laxmi, Vishnu, Nandi, Durga etc. are lying scattered. This temple was constructed
by the ancestors of King of Jashpur and later it was renovated by the Zamindar of
Majhgaon. Its style indicates the date between 10th-12th century A.D. It is very
famous temple of Jharkhand.
TELIAGARH
There is a palace which is known as Gatewav of Bengal. Sher Shah had
defeated Humayun at Teliagarh. The palace has become dilapidated and only a
wall (about 250 feet) exists as a remnant. This place in localed on Rajmahal hill.
DIFFERRENT MOVEMENTS FOR A SEPERATE STATE
THE KISHAN SABHA
The leaders of the Unnati samaj were not satisfied with the middle-class and
urban bias of their organisation. They thought of making qualified and broad platform
for the uplift and advance of tribal society. They wanted to mobilize the peasantry
by making the land problem a central plank of their activities.  Some of them like
Theble Oraon and Paul Dayal, decided to leave the Samaj and formed the Kisan
Sabha in 1931. This new orgazination and the Chotanagpur Unnati samaj differed
on the means for the amelioration of the problems faced by the tribal population.
The Kisan sabha belived in radical action, mobilization of the peasantry to force the
goverment to act, Whereas, the Chhota Nagpur Samaj sought deliverance trrough
petitions and memoranda.
Except for this major difference between the moderates and the Extremists, the
leadership of the two organization was similar Most of the leaders were well edu-
cated and middle-class people who were acquainted with the areas outside the
tribal belt.
THE DACCA STUDENTS UNION
The political movement started in Jharkhand in the begining of the twentieth
century.
The Jharkhand movement and the related political developments began with
the efforts of a student of St. Columbus College, Chaibasa—an institution that
became an important centre of tribal political activity in the region. The pioneer
was J. Bartholmen and some Anglican missionaries who established the Dacca
Students Union in 1910 to deal with the problems faced by poor tribal students.
The early activities of this organization were limited and ambiguous. It was a
religious society, a cultural organization, a discussion forum and students’ union,
all rolled into one. The Dacca Students Union planned and organized religious
discourses, discussions and seminars, staged plays, and represented the interests
of the students. A meeting of all Anglican and Lutheran students was called after
the success of a play staged at Ranchi in 1912 to raise funds.
In this meeting, some degree of consensus was arrived “about the aims of
the organization. Consequently, the area of its operation increased. A branch was
opened at Ranchi under the supervision of Peter Howard. In this way The Dacca
Students Union was successful in mobilizing tribal students to demand better
educational facilities, economic avenues, job opportunities and so on under the
leadership of Bartholmen and Howard.
THE CHOT ANAGPUR IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
Later the educated Christian tribes with active assistance and back-up from
the Anglican Bishop of Ranchi reorganized the union and re-named it the chotapur,
Improvement Society. This new body Championed the cause of adequate protec-
tion of the tribal population and their cultural idenity, and emphasized the pressing
need to create avenues for rapid politico-economic advance of the region. In 1928,
a delegation of the organization met the Simon Commission and present the first
demand for the creation of a seperate province in the Jharkhand area.
THE CHOTANAGPUR UNNATI SAMAJ
The chotanagpur Improvement Society is also known as Unnati samaj. Only
christan and non-christan tribes can become the members of this organization and
no non-tribal could become its member. Seeking the social, economic and political
advancement of the tribals & chotanagpur and security them reservation in
goverment services and legistatures, to remove backwardness in the area and em-
ployment for educated tribads was the main aim of the Unnati samaj. This samaj
played an important role in spreading political awareness against the alien rule
among the people. The samaj was not very successfull in mobilizing the masses
towards large-scale political activity But they represent the earliest political
janizations in the Jharkhand region.
The leadership of these organizations was unique in the sense that it was
composed of a band of educated youth, inspired by ideas, which were radical for
their time, such as the creation of a new state. The period of the activity of these
organizations, along with their radical and progressive ideas, also saw the emer-
gence of social reform amongst the tribal population on the lines of the nineteenth-
century Indian renaissance. These organizations reminded the tribes of their glo-
rious past and stressed the need to restore that past. They also underlined the
need for eradication of undesirable features in tribal society, educated tribal lead-
Page 3


Amar Ujala Publications Jharkhand : General Knowledge
SUTIAMBE : It is located in Romehi the local legend states that Nagbanshi
rajas of Chotanagpur had their original capital at Suitambe. It is also said that
Phani Mukut Rai was the original founder of the dynasty and Sutiamber remained
the capital during the reign of three rajas. The fourth raja, Pratap Rai, transferred
the capital to Chutia.
TANGINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated at Majhgaon in Gumla dis-
trict a very large size trident is the most important remain here. Its metal is com-
pared to the metal of famous Mehraulh pillar near Qutb Minar as both of them are
rust free. On the hillock, hundreds of sculpture of Ganesha. Uma Maheshwara,
Laxmi, Vishnu, Nandi, Durga etc. are lying scattered. This temple was constructed
by the ancestors of King of Jashpur and later it was renovated by the Zamindar of
Majhgaon. Its style indicates the date between 10th-12th century A.D. It is very
famous temple of Jharkhand.
TELIAGARH
There is a palace which is known as Gatewav of Bengal. Sher Shah had
defeated Humayun at Teliagarh. The palace has become dilapidated and only a
wall (about 250 feet) exists as a remnant. This place in localed on Rajmahal hill.
DIFFERRENT MOVEMENTS FOR A SEPERATE STATE
THE KISHAN SABHA
The leaders of the Unnati samaj were not satisfied with the middle-class and
urban bias of their organisation. They thought of making qualified and broad platform
for the uplift and advance of tribal society. They wanted to mobilize the peasantry
by making the land problem a central plank of their activities.  Some of them like
Theble Oraon and Paul Dayal, decided to leave the Samaj and formed the Kisan
Sabha in 1931. This new orgazination and the Chotanagpur Unnati samaj differed
on the means for the amelioration of the problems faced by the tribal population.
The Kisan sabha belived in radical action, mobilization of the peasantry to force the
goverment to act, Whereas, the Chhota Nagpur Samaj sought deliverance trrough
petitions and memoranda.
Except for this major difference between the moderates and the Extremists, the
leadership of the two organization was similar Most of the leaders were well edu-
cated and middle-class people who were acquainted with the areas outside the
tribal belt.
THE DACCA STUDENTS UNION
The political movement started in Jharkhand in the begining of the twentieth
century.
The Jharkhand movement and the related political developments began with
the efforts of a student of St. Columbus College, Chaibasa—an institution that
became an important centre of tribal political activity in the region. The pioneer
was J. Bartholmen and some Anglican missionaries who established the Dacca
Students Union in 1910 to deal with the problems faced by poor tribal students.
The early activities of this organization were limited and ambiguous. It was a
religious society, a cultural organization, a discussion forum and students’ union,
all rolled into one. The Dacca Students Union planned and organized religious
discourses, discussions and seminars, staged plays, and represented the interests
of the students. A meeting of all Anglican and Lutheran students was called after
the success of a play staged at Ranchi in 1912 to raise funds.
In this meeting, some degree of consensus was arrived “about the aims of
the organization. Consequently, the area of its operation increased. A branch was
opened at Ranchi under the supervision of Peter Howard. In this way The Dacca
Students Union was successful in mobilizing tribal students to demand better
educational facilities, economic avenues, job opportunities and so on under the
leadership of Bartholmen and Howard.
THE CHOT ANAGPUR IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
Later the educated Christian tribes with active assistance and back-up from
the Anglican Bishop of Ranchi reorganized the union and re-named it the chotapur,
Improvement Society. This new body Championed the cause of adequate protec-
tion of the tribal population and their cultural idenity, and emphasized the pressing
need to create avenues for rapid politico-economic advance of the region. In 1928,
a delegation of the organization met the Simon Commission and present the first
demand for the creation of a seperate province in the Jharkhand area.
THE CHOTANAGPUR UNNATI SAMAJ
The chotanagpur Improvement Society is also known as Unnati samaj. Only
christan and non-christan tribes can become the members of this organization and
no non-tribal could become its member. Seeking the social, economic and political
advancement of the tribals & chotanagpur and security them reservation in
goverment services and legistatures, to remove backwardness in the area and em-
ployment for educated tribads was the main aim of the Unnati samaj. This samaj
played an important role in spreading political awareness against the alien rule
among the people. The samaj was not very successfull in mobilizing the masses
towards large-scale political activity But they represent the earliest political
janizations in the Jharkhand region.
The leadership of these organizations was unique in the sense that it was
composed of a band of educated youth, inspired by ideas, which were radical for
their time, such as the creation of a new state. The period of the activity of these
organizations, along with their radical and progressive ideas, also saw the emer-
gence of social reform amongst the tribal population on the lines of the nineteenth-
century Indian renaissance. These organizations reminded the tribes of their glo-
rious past and stressed the need to restore that past. They also underlined the
need for eradication of undesirable features in tribal society, educated tribal lead-
ers such as Rev. Joel Lakra, Anand Mashi Topno, Theble Oraon, Paul Dayal and
Bandi Oraon led the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj through its agenda of social re-
form
THE ADVASI MAHASABHA
The legislative experience gained by Ignas back during his term in the legisla-
tive assembly convinced him that pan India parties like the INC would not be able
to serve the intersts of the tribal people. It was up to the tribals themselves to look
after their own interests. He also realised that organisations with a narrow support
base like the Unnati Samaj and the Catholic Sabha would not be able to secure their
interests. He therefore aspired to create a pen denominational and pan tribal
organisation in the Jharkhand region to effectively promote and protect the intrests
of the tribes and bring about social, economic and political advancement (Vidyarthi
and Sahay 1976 ; 157) Besides, the landslide victory of the INC in the 1937 elections
convinced the tribal leader of the need for denominational unity, and they decided
to float a joint body to ensure. The creation of a pan denominational and tribal body
was a difficult task, Ignes beak began by trying to convince the Chotanagpur
catholic sabha after persuading the archbishop of Ranchi about the neccessity of
such an organisation. Then he tried to contact the leaders of other parallel
organisations. After much debate, they agreed to form a temporary alliance, to
contest the ensuring Ranchi municipality elections. The Preparations for this elec-
tion were good, and sucess in the election prompted the leaders to maintain their
alliance. This was the origin of the Adivasi Mahasabha created in 1938 which
aspired to create a pan-tribal Solidarity to solve tribal problems. A major plank of
this organisation was to fight the dikuraj in order to improve the socio-economic
and political conditions of the tribal people, the final goal being the creation of a
seperate province of jharkhand.
It was at this time thai Jaipal Singh joined the Adivasi Mahasabha in March-
April 1939 and subsequently became its president. He was educated in England
and his personality and growing stature made him most popular leader of the
tribes. In the beginning he attracted the urban tribal population but later the rural
population of the tribes also began to look forward to him for their prosperity and
growth. Jaipal Singh contested the election to the State Legislature in 1946 but lost
it. Later, he raised a militant slogan: “We shall take Jharkhand, Jharkhand is the
land of adivasis and non-adivasi exploiters will be turned out of the region even by
violence”.
The Adivasi Miihusubliii represented a substantial advance in the tribal
politics of the Jharkhand region. It commanded a wider social support base and
claimed to represent pan-tribal interests. The Muslim League also supported the
organization. The League was hoping to secure a corridor to connect East and
West Pakistan via the tribal areas of south Bihar. Jaipal Singh and the Adivasi
Mahasabha, how ever, did not become part of the mainstream nationalist politics.
They supported the British war effort in World War II, and Jaipal Singh contrib-
Page 4


Amar Ujala Publications Jharkhand : General Knowledge
SUTIAMBE : It is located in Romehi the local legend states that Nagbanshi
rajas of Chotanagpur had their original capital at Suitambe. It is also said that
Phani Mukut Rai was the original founder of the dynasty and Sutiamber remained
the capital during the reign of three rajas. The fourth raja, Pratap Rai, transferred
the capital to Chutia.
TANGINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated at Majhgaon in Gumla dis-
trict a very large size trident is the most important remain here. Its metal is com-
pared to the metal of famous Mehraulh pillar near Qutb Minar as both of them are
rust free. On the hillock, hundreds of sculpture of Ganesha. Uma Maheshwara,
Laxmi, Vishnu, Nandi, Durga etc. are lying scattered. This temple was constructed
by the ancestors of King of Jashpur and later it was renovated by the Zamindar of
Majhgaon. Its style indicates the date between 10th-12th century A.D. It is very
famous temple of Jharkhand.
TELIAGARH
There is a palace which is known as Gatewav of Bengal. Sher Shah had
defeated Humayun at Teliagarh. The palace has become dilapidated and only a
wall (about 250 feet) exists as a remnant. This place in localed on Rajmahal hill.
DIFFERRENT MOVEMENTS FOR A SEPERATE STATE
THE KISHAN SABHA
The leaders of the Unnati samaj were not satisfied with the middle-class and
urban bias of their organisation. They thought of making qualified and broad platform
for the uplift and advance of tribal society. They wanted to mobilize the peasantry
by making the land problem a central plank of their activities.  Some of them like
Theble Oraon and Paul Dayal, decided to leave the Samaj and formed the Kisan
Sabha in 1931. This new orgazination and the Chotanagpur Unnati samaj differed
on the means for the amelioration of the problems faced by the tribal population.
The Kisan sabha belived in radical action, mobilization of the peasantry to force the
goverment to act, Whereas, the Chhota Nagpur Samaj sought deliverance trrough
petitions and memoranda.
Except for this major difference between the moderates and the Extremists, the
leadership of the two organization was similar Most of the leaders were well edu-
cated and middle-class people who were acquainted with the areas outside the
tribal belt.
THE DACCA STUDENTS UNION
The political movement started in Jharkhand in the begining of the twentieth
century.
The Jharkhand movement and the related political developments began with
the efforts of a student of St. Columbus College, Chaibasa—an institution that
became an important centre of tribal political activity in the region. The pioneer
was J. Bartholmen and some Anglican missionaries who established the Dacca
Students Union in 1910 to deal with the problems faced by poor tribal students.
The early activities of this organization were limited and ambiguous. It was a
religious society, a cultural organization, a discussion forum and students’ union,
all rolled into one. The Dacca Students Union planned and organized religious
discourses, discussions and seminars, staged plays, and represented the interests
of the students. A meeting of all Anglican and Lutheran students was called after
the success of a play staged at Ranchi in 1912 to raise funds.
In this meeting, some degree of consensus was arrived “about the aims of
the organization. Consequently, the area of its operation increased. A branch was
opened at Ranchi under the supervision of Peter Howard. In this way The Dacca
Students Union was successful in mobilizing tribal students to demand better
educational facilities, economic avenues, job opportunities and so on under the
leadership of Bartholmen and Howard.
THE CHOT ANAGPUR IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
Later the educated Christian tribes with active assistance and back-up from
the Anglican Bishop of Ranchi reorganized the union and re-named it the chotapur,
Improvement Society. This new body Championed the cause of adequate protec-
tion of the tribal population and their cultural idenity, and emphasized the pressing
need to create avenues for rapid politico-economic advance of the region. In 1928,
a delegation of the organization met the Simon Commission and present the first
demand for the creation of a seperate province in the Jharkhand area.
THE CHOTANAGPUR UNNATI SAMAJ
The chotanagpur Improvement Society is also known as Unnati samaj. Only
christan and non-christan tribes can become the members of this organization and
no non-tribal could become its member. Seeking the social, economic and political
advancement of the tribals & chotanagpur and security them reservation in
goverment services and legistatures, to remove backwardness in the area and em-
ployment for educated tribads was the main aim of the Unnati samaj. This samaj
played an important role in spreading political awareness against the alien rule
among the people. The samaj was not very successfull in mobilizing the masses
towards large-scale political activity But they represent the earliest political
janizations in the Jharkhand region.
The leadership of these organizations was unique in the sense that it was
composed of a band of educated youth, inspired by ideas, which were radical for
their time, such as the creation of a new state. The period of the activity of these
organizations, along with their radical and progressive ideas, also saw the emer-
gence of social reform amongst the tribal population on the lines of the nineteenth-
century Indian renaissance. These organizations reminded the tribes of their glo-
rious past and stressed the need to restore that past. They also underlined the
need for eradication of undesirable features in tribal society, educated tribal lead-
ers such as Rev. Joel Lakra, Anand Mashi Topno, Theble Oraon, Paul Dayal and
Bandi Oraon led the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj through its agenda of social re-
form
THE ADVASI MAHASABHA
The legislative experience gained by Ignas back during his term in the legisla-
tive assembly convinced him that pan India parties like the INC would not be able
to serve the intersts of the tribal people. It was up to the tribals themselves to look
after their own interests. He also realised that organisations with a narrow support
base like the Unnati Samaj and the Catholic Sabha would not be able to secure their
interests. He therefore aspired to create a pen denominational and pan tribal
organisation in the Jharkhand region to effectively promote and protect the intrests
of the tribes and bring about social, economic and political advancement (Vidyarthi
and Sahay 1976 ; 157) Besides, the landslide victory of the INC in the 1937 elections
convinced the tribal leader of the need for denominational unity, and they decided
to float a joint body to ensure. The creation of a pan denominational and tribal body
was a difficult task, Ignes beak began by trying to convince the Chotanagpur
catholic sabha after persuading the archbishop of Ranchi about the neccessity of
such an organisation. Then he tried to contact the leaders of other parallel
organisations. After much debate, they agreed to form a temporary alliance, to
contest the ensuring Ranchi municipality elections. The Preparations for this elec-
tion were good, and sucess in the election prompted the leaders to maintain their
alliance. This was the origin of the Adivasi Mahasabha created in 1938 which
aspired to create a pan-tribal Solidarity to solve tribal problems. A major plank of
this organisation was to fight the dikuraj in order to improve the socio-economic
and political conditions of the tribal people, the final goal being the creation of a
seperate province of jharkhand.
It was at this time thai Jaipal Singh joined the Adivasi Mahasabha in March-
April 1939 and subsequently became its president. He was educated in England
and his personality and growing stature made him most popular leader of the
tribes. In the beginning he attracted the urban tribal population but later the rural
population of the tribes also began to look forward to him for their prosperity and
growth. Jaipal Singh contested the election to the State Legislature in 1946 but lost
it. Later, he raised a militant slogan: “We shall take Jharkhand, Jharkhand is the
land of adivasis and non-adivasi exploiters will be turned out of the region even by
violence”.
The Adivasi Miihusubliii represented a substantial advance in the tribal
politics of the Jharkhand region. It commanded a wider social support base and
claimed to represent pan-tribal interests. The Muslim League also supported the
organization. The League was hoping to secure a corridor to connect East and
West Pakistan via the tribal areas of south Bihar. Jaipal Singh and the Adivasi
Mahasabha, how ever, did not become part of the mainstream nationalist politics.
They supported the British war effort in World War II, and Jaipal Singh contrib-
uted in the recruitment of soldiers from the tribal areas with the fond hope that it
would induce the British to look at their demand in a sympathetic manner.
The Adivasi Mahasabha soon spread in both rural and urban areas. It was
for the first time that the Sabha demanded a complete separation from Bihar and
the creation of a separate state. It also became militant in pursuing its goals but
lost popular appeal. It was defeated in the election to the Constituent Assembly in
1946 in which the INC’ performed well. It also lost the support of the Muslim
League. However, the Mahasabha did enjoy the support of the Forward Bloc and
the Congress Socialist Party. In the INC-dommated polity of the late 1940s, the
Mahasabha was more eager to acquire the support of the INC and demanded
representation in the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee and the Congress Work-
ing Committee. This demand did not find favour within the INC. Further the Adivasi
Mahasabha demanded reservation of seats for tribes in educational institutions
and employment. This demand was extended to limiting all jobs in industries of
Jharkhand, this led to the political issue.
Membership of adivasi Maha Sasha was ristricted to south Bihar till 1950.
However Justin Richard stressed that if the cause of a separate Jharkhand State
was to be made a reality, and the sup-port base of the movement was to be ex-
panded, non-tribal settlers in the region would have to be brought into the fold.
There was a sizeable migration of skilled workers into the region to work the
rapidly growing industries. Soon these ‘outsiders’ who had settled in the region
outnumbered the tribes by almost two to one. Justin had organized the United
Jharkhand Bloc in 1948.
It was not very easy to accommodate the non-tribal population into the
Adivasi Mahasabha and without accommodating the non-tribal population the
prospect of a separate state of Jharkhand would have remained a mere dream.
Consequently a new organization was on anvil and it came in the form of the
Jharkhand Party.
THE JHARKHAND P ARTY
The Adivasi Mahasabha decided to rename itself the Jharkhand Party (JHP)
in its 1949-50 sessions at Jamshedpur and extend its membership to the non-tribal
population as well. It also succeeded in securing the support of the Chotanagpur
Separation League that was powerful amongst the depressed classes, especially
the Muslim depressed classes and the Miners Association of Santhals.
In 1950 Jharkhand party become full fledged political party Jaipal Singh be-
come President and Ignes Bech was appointed as secratary. Jharkhand party by
making cock its symbol, which was able to achieve a great appeal in tribal belt.
The movement now began demanding the creation ofa new province from
the areas once under the Chotanagpur Division, i.e., parts of the provinces of
West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The leaders began talking of the
entire region that was covered by the Chotanagpur Division during the British rule
as being within the geographical scope of their demand. They advanced eco-
Page 5


Amar Ujala Publications Jharkhand : General Knowledge
SUTIAMBE : It is located in Romehi the local legend states that Nagbanshi
rajas of Chotanagpur had their original capital at Suitambe. It is also said that
Phani Mukut Rai was the original founder of the dynasty and Sutiamber remained
the capital during the reign of three rajas. The fourth raja, Pratap Rai, transferred
the capital to Chutia.
TANGINATH TEMPLE : This temple is situated at Majhgaon in Gumla dis-
trict a very large size trident is the most important remain here. Its metal is com-
pared to the metal of famous Mehraulh pillar near Qutb Minar as both of them are
rust free. On the hillock, hundreds of sculpture of Ganesha. Uma Maheshwara,
Laxmi, Vishnu, Nandi, Durga etc. are lying scattered. This temple was constructed
by the ancestors of King of Jashpur and later it was renovated by the Zamindar of
Majhgaon. Its style indicates the date between 10th-12th century A.D. It is very
famous temple of Jharkhand.
TELIAGARH
There is a palace which is known as Gatewav of Bengal. Sher Shah had
defeated Humayun at Teliagarh. The palace has become dilapidated and only a
wall (about 250 feet) exists as a remnant. This place in localed on Rajmahal hill.
DIFFERRENT MOVEMENTS FOR A SEPERATE STATE
THE KISHAN SABHA
The leaders of the Unnati samaj were not satisfied with the middle-class and
urban bias of their organisation. They thought of making qualified and broad platform
for the uplift and advance of tribal society. They wanted to mobilize the peasantry
by making the land problem a central plank of their activities.  Some of them like
Theble Oraon and Paul Dayal, decided to leave the Samaj and formed the Kisan
Sabha in 1931. This new orgazination and the Chotanagpur Unnati samaj differed
on the means for the amelioration of the problems faced by the tribal population.
The Kisan sabha belived in radical action, mobilization of the peasantry to force the
goverment to act, Whereas, the Chhota Nagpur Samaj sought deliverance trrough
petitions and memoranda.
Except for this major difference between the moderates and the Extremists, the
leadership of the two organization was similar Most of the leaders were well edu-
cated and middle-class people who were acquainted with the areas outside the
tribal belt.
THE DACCA STUDENTS UNION
The political movement started in Jharkhand in the begining of the twentieth
century.
The Jharkhand movement and the related political developments began with
the efforts of a student of St. Columbus College, Chaibasa—an institution that
became an important centre of tribal political activity in the region. The pioneer
was J. Bartholmen and some Anglican missionaries who established the Dacca
Students Union in 1910 to deal with the problems faced by poor tribal students.
The early activities of this organization were limited and ambiguous. It was a
religious society, a cultural organization, a discussion forum and students’ union,
all rolled into one. The Dacca Students Union planned and organized religious
discourses, discussions and seminars, staged plays, and represented the interests
of the students. A meeting of all Anglican and Lutheran students was called after
the success of a play staged at Ranchi in 1912 to raise funds.
In this meeting, some degree of consensus was arrived “about the aims of
the organization. Consequently, the area of its operation increased. A branch was
opened at Ranchi under the supervision of Peter Howard. In this way The Dacca
Students Union was successful in mobilizing tribal students to demand better
educational facilities, economic avenues, job opportunities and so on under the
leadership of Bartholmen and Howard.
THE CHOT ANAGPUR IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
Later the educated Christian tribes with active assistance and back-up from
the Anglican Bishop of Ranchi reorganized the union and re-named it the chotapur,
Improvement Society. This new body Championed the cause of adequate protec-
tion of the tribal population and their cultural idenity, and emphasized the pressing
need to create avenues for rapid politico-economic advance of the region. In 1928,
a delegation of the organization met the Simon Commission and present the first
demand for the creation of a seperate province in the Jharkhand area.
THE CHOTANAGPUR UNNATI SAMAJ
The chotanagpur Improvement Society is also known as Unnati samaj. Only
christan and non-christan tribes can become the members of this organization and
no non-tribal could become its member. Seeking the social, economic and political
advancement of the tribals & chotanagpur and security them reservation in
goverment services and legistatures, to remove backwardness in the area and em-
ployment for educated tribads was the main aim of the Unnati samaj. This samaj
played an important role in spreading political awareness against the alien rule
among the people. The samaj was not very successfull in mobilizing the masses
towards large-scale political activity But they represent the earliest political
janizations in the Jharkhand region.
The leadership of these organizations was unique in the sense that it was
composed of a band of educated youth, inspired by ideas, which were radical for
their time, such as the creation of a new state. The period of the activity of these
organizations, along with their radical and progressive ideas, also saw the emer-
gence of social reform amongst the tribal population on the lines of the nineteenth-
century Indian renaissance. These organizations reminded the tribes of their glo-
rious past and stressed the need to restore that past. They also underlined the
need for eradication of undesirable features in tribal society, educated tribal lead-
ers such as Rev. Joel Lakra, Anand Mashi Topno, Theble Oraon, Paul Dayal and
Bandi Oraon led the Chotanagpur Unnati Samaj through its agenda of social re-
form
THE ADVASI MAHASABHA
The legislative experience gained by Ignas back during his term in the legisla-
tive assembly convinced him that pan India parties like the INC would not be able
to serve the intersts of the tribal people. It was up to the tribals themselves to look
after their own interests. He also realised that organisations with a narrow support
base like the Unnati Samaj and the Catholic Sabha would not be able to secure their
interests. He therefore aspired to create a pen denominational and pan tribal
organisation in the Jharkhand region to effectively promote and protect the intrests
of the tribes and bring about social, economic and political advancement (Vidyarthi
and Sahay 1976 ; 157) Besides, the landslide victory of the INC in the 1937 elections
convinced the tribal leader of the need for denominational unity, and they decided
to float a joint body to ensure. The creation of a pan denominational and tribal body
was a difficult task, Ignes beak began by trying to convince the Chotanagpur
catholic sabha after persuading the archbishop of Ranchi about the neccessity of
such an organisation. Then he tried to contact the leaders of other parallel
organisations. After much debate, they agreed to form a temporary alliance, to
contest the ensuring Ranchi municipality elections. The Preparations for this elec-
tion were good, and sucess in the election prompted the leaders to maintain their
alliance. This was the origin of the Adivasi Mahasabha created in 1938 which
aspired to create a pan-tribal Solidarity to solve tribal problems. A major plank of
this organisation was to fight the dikuraj in order to improve the socio-economic
and political conditions of the tribal people, the final goal being the creation of a
seperate province of jharkhand.
It was at this time thai Jaipal Singh joined the Adivasi Mahasabha in March-
April 1939 and subsequently became its president. He was educated in England
and his personality and growing stature made him most popular leader of the
tribes. In the beginning he attracted the urban tribal population but later the rural
population of the tribes also began to look forward to him for their prosperity and
growth. Jaipal Singh contested the election to the State Legislature in 1946 but lost
it. Later, he raised a militant slogan: “We shall take Jharkhand, Jharkhand is the
land of adivasis and non-adivasi exploiters will be turned out of the region even by
violence”.
The Adivasi Miihusubliii represented a substantial advance in the tribal
politics of the Jharkhand region. It commanded a wider social support base and
claimed to represent pan-tribal interests. The Muslim League also supported the
organization. The League was hoping to secure a corridor to connect East and
West Pakistan via the tribal areas of south Bihar. Jaipal Singh and the Adivasi
Mahasabha, how ever, did not become part of the mainstream nationalist politics.
They supported the British war effort in World War II, and Jaipal Singh contrib-
uted in the recruitment of soldiers from the tribal areas with the fond hope that it
would induce the British to look at their demand in a sympathetic manner.
The Adivasi Mahasabha soon spread in both rural and urban areas. It was
for the first time that the Sabha demanded a complete separation from Bihar and
the creation of a separate state. It also became militant in pursuing its goals but
lost popular appeal. It was defeated in the election to the Constituent Assembly in
1946 in which the INC’ performed well. It also lost the support of the Muslim
League. However, the Mahasabha did enjoy the support of the Forward Bloc and
the Congress Socialist Party. In the INC-dommated polity of the late 1940s, the
Mahasabha was more eager to acquire the support of the INC and demanded
representation in the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee and the Congress Work-
ing Committee. This demand did not find favour within the INC. Further the Adivasi
Mahasabha demanded reservation of seats for tribes in educational institutions
and employment. This demand was extended to limiting all jobs in industries of
Jharkhand, this led to the political issue.
Membership of adivasi Maha Sasha was ristricted to south Bihar till 1950.
However Justin Richard stressed that if the cause of a separate Jharkhand State
was to be made a reality, and the sup-port base of the movement was to be ex-
panded, non-tribal settlers in the region would have to be brought into the fold.
There was a sizeable migration of skilled workers into the region to work the
rapidly growing industries. Soon these ‘outsiders’ who had settled in the region
outnumbered the tribes by almost two to one. Justin had organized the United
Jharkhand Bloc in 1948.
It was not very easy to accommodate the non-tribal population into the
Adivasi Mahasabha and without accommodating the non-tribal population the
prospect of a separate state of Jharkhand would have remained a mere dream.
Consequently a new organization was on anvil and it came in the form of the
Jharkhand Party.
THE JHARKHAND P ARTY
The Adivasi Mahasabha decided to rename itself the Jharkhand Party (JHP)
in its 1949-50 sessions at Jamshedpur and extend its membership to the non-tribal
population as well. It also succeeded in securing the support of the Chotanagpur
Separation League that was powerful amongst the depressed classes, especially
the Muslim depressed classes and the Miners Association of Santhals.
In 1950 Jharkhand party become full fledged political party Jaipal Singh be-
come President and Ignes Bech was appointed as secratary. Jharkhand party by
making cock its symbol, which was able to achieve a great appeal in tribal belt.
The movement now began demanding the creation ofa new province from
the areas once under the Chotanagpur Division, i.e., parts of the provinces of
West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. The leaders began talking of the
entire region that was covered by the Chotanagpur Division during the British rule
as being within the geographical scope of their demand. They advanced eco-
nomic, socio-political and cultural grounds for the creation ofa new state. They
argued that linguistically, culturally and ethnically the whole region was separate
from other regions. An important basis for this demand was also that the entire
region had been under a similar kind of administration during colonial rule.
In 1950s, jaipal Singh compaigned for the creation of province in Jharkhand.
His effort play importand role in general election the first general election in 1952
showed the Jharkhand party at peak papularity.
After the first election in post-independence era, the JHP candidates won
thirty-two (32) assembly seats and firmly established itself as the dominant politi-
cal factor in the region. This strengthened the party’s bargaining power and it
began an intensive campaign for the creation of a province in Jharkhand. The
culmination of this campaign was a well-attended demonstration by the tribes in
1955 at Ranchi and Dumka before the States Reorganization Commission (SRC).
The aim was to display the numerical support for a separate state.
The JHP leaders conceived a separate Jharkhand State of sixteen districts
belonging to Bihar, Bengal, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Out of the sixteen dis-
tricts seven were from Bihar, three from Bengal, four from Orissa, and two from
Madhya Pradesh. The executive committee of the JHP submitted a memorandum
to the SRC’ stressing the economic, socio-political and cultural grounds for de-
manding the creation ofa new state. It emphasized that linguistically, culturally
and ethnically, the tribes were separate from the non-tribal people and, hence,
geographical contiguity and administrative separateness was required (Report,
States Reorganization Commission 1955). However the JHP could not convince
the SRC about the new state.
However, during the period 1950-57, the JHP was able to set the agenda of
politics in the Chotanagpur region. It had the ability to gather thousands of people
for rallies and processions at a short notice due to the remarkable unity amongst
its leaders, and the party-virtually laid down the law for the region during this
period.
l950s and the beginning of 1960s marked a gradual but decisive decline in the
influence and power of the JHP . The Jharkhand Party had only twenty (20) seats in
the Bihar assembly after 1962 elections. A number of factors were responsible for
this. Probably, the most important was the greater exposure of the people of the
region to the Government’s development effort and the emerging split between the
Christian and non-Christian sections of the tribal population. The ensuing compe-
tition for development resources fractured the unity of the tribal populace and
sounded the death knell of the Jharkhand Party.
There are lots of factor behind the decline of jharkhand party
1. failure of convinces SRC
2. leadership composed of  Urban profession.
3. Govt. politics and development.
4. growing complacency of the leadership.