Page 1
115
10
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
b) Tribal Uprisings and Peasants Movements
Unit Structure :
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Tribal uprisings
10.3 Peasants movement
10.4 Deccan riots
10.5 Conclusion
10.6 Questions
10.0 OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
As soon as the British took over Western India, Indian
tribes revolted against them. In the Maharashtra the hills tribes
offered heroic resistance to British rule. The tribal uprising was the
resistance against the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule.
There are many factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the
British rule. In Maharashtra, the agrarian discontent against the
British rule was due to the exploitative agrarian policy of the British
rule. The heavy land tax fixed by the land settlement, fall in
agricultural produce, growing poverty of the agricultural masses
and their indebtness added to the miseries of the peasants. The
British neglected the agricultural industry and their alliance with the
moneylenders created serious unrest in the minds of the peasants.
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
Page 2
115
10
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
b) Tribal Uprisings and Peasants Movements
Unit Structure :
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Tribal uprisings
10.3 Peasants movement
10.4 Deccan riots
10.5 Conclusion
10.6 Questions
10.0 OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
As soon as the British took over Western India, Indian
tribes revolted against them. In the Maharashtra the hills tribes
offered heroic resistance to British rule. The tribal uprising was the
resistance against the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule.
There are many factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the
British rule. In Maharashtra, the agrarian discontent against the
British rule was due to the exploitative agrarian policy of the British
rule. The heavy land tax fixed by the land settlement, fall in
agricultural produce, growing poverty of the agricultural masses
and their indebtness added to the miseries of the peasants. The
British neglected the agricultural industry and their alliance with the
moneylenders created serious unrest in the minds of the peasants.
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
The British company uprooted the peasant and the tribal of western
Maharashtra who had opposed vigorously their exploitive economic
policies and tried to throw them out of the country.
TRIBAL UPRISINGS
Indian tribes revolted against the Britishers, as soon as the
British established their control over Western India. In Maharashtra
the hilly tribes offered stiff resistance to the British rule. Ramoshis,
Bhils, Kolis and many other tribal people revolted against the rule of
East India Company. The tribal uprising was the resistance against
the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule. There are many
factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the British rule.
Causes of the revolts
1) The tribes were not happy with the growing influence of the
British in their own area of influence. From many years they
had been living peacefully with the nature. The Mughals and
the Deccan kingdoms hardly interfere in their day to day life.
However the British desire of exploiting the natural resources
made them rebel and stand of against the government.
2) Most of the tribes like Ramoshis and Kolis attacked
moneylenders. Their chief aim was to teach lesson to the
moneylenders who uses to cheat poor ignorant tribal. The
moneylenders had protection of the British government. So
naturally they got evolved against the British rule.
3) The British wished to create a monopoly over forest. Unlike
Indian ruler, the British could not understand the attachment
of the tribes to their original inhabitance. They lived in hilly
regions and forests. They lived in harmony with the nature.
They didn’t like the British attitude of exploitation of natural
wealth for the sake of their material development. The
tightening of British control over their forest zones, creation
of reserved forests and attempt to monopolize forest wealth
made the tribes rebellious.
4) The British disrupted the traditional economic set up. They
devoid the tribal people of their traditional economic set up
and hence the tribal were forced to serve as menial labours
and miners. They were instigated against British by the
hostile personalities like Vasudev Phadke, Trimbak Dengle
and Umaji Naik.
The revolt normally began when the tribes felt oppressed
and had no other way but fight. The tribes organized themselves for
Page 3
115
10
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
b) Tribal Uprisings and Peasants Movements
Unit Structure :
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Tribal uprisings
10.3 Peasants movement
10.4 Deccan riots
10.5 Conclusion
10.6 Questions
10.0 OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
As soon as the British took over Western India, Indian
tribes revolted against them. In the Maharashtra the hills tribes
offered heroic resistance to British rule. The tribal uprising was the
resistance against the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule.
There are many factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the
British rule. In Maharashtra, the agrarian discontent against the
British rule was due to the exploitative agrarian policy of the British
rule. The heavy land tax fixed by the land settlement, fall in
agricultural produce, growing poverty of the agricultural masses
and their indebtness added to the miseries of the peasants. The
British neglected the agricultural industry and their alliance with the
moneylenders created serious unrest in the minds of the peasants.
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
The British company uprooted the peasant and the tribal of western
Maharashtra who had opposed vigorously their exploitive economic
policies and tried to throw them out of the country.
TRIBAL UPRISINGS
Indian tribes revolted against the Britishers, as soon as the
British established their control over Western India. In Maharashtra
the hilly tribes offered stiff resistance to the British rule. Ramoshis,
Bhils, Kolis and many other tribal people revolted against the rule of
East India Company. The tribal uprising was the resistance against
the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule. There are many
factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the British rule.
Causes of the revolts
1) The tribes were not happy with the growing influence of the
British in their own area of influence. From many years they
had been living peacefully with the nature. The Mughals and
the Deccan kingdoms hardly interfere in their day to day life.
However the British desire of exploiting the natural resources
made them rebel and stand of against the government.
2) Most of the tribes like Ramoshis and Kolis attacked
moneylenders. Their chief aim was to teach lesson to the
moneylenders who uses to cheat poor ignorant tribal. The
moneylenders had protection of the British government. So
naturally they got evolved against the British rule.
3) The British wished to create a monopoly over forest. Unlike
Indian ruler, the British could not understand the attachment
of the tribes to their original inhabitance. They lived in hilly
regions and forests. They lived in harmony with the nature.
They didn’t like the British attitude of exploitation of natural
wealth for the sake of their material development. The
tightening of British control over their forest zones, creation
of reserved forests and attempt to monopolize forest wealth
made the tribes rebellious.
4) The British disrupted the traditional economic set up. They
devoid the tribal people of their traditional economic set up
and hence the tribal were forced to serve as menial labours
and miners. They were instigated against British by the
hostile personalities like Vasudev Phadke, Trimbak Dengle
and Umaji Naik.
The revolt normally began when the tribes felt oppressed
and had no other way but fight. The tribes organized themselves for
an armed resistance. These tribal people though no match for the
modern military might of the British rule, their struggle against the
colonial power, provided inspiration to the other people.
Ramoshis Uprising
Ramoshiss also known as Berad, was a nomadic tribe of
hunter gatherers found in a large scale in western Maharashtra.
They served as a fighting force in the Maratha army, well known for
their bravery. In the early nineteenth century the commercial British
national forest policy and the conflict it created over forest use
forced them to start struggle against British rule. After the final
defeat of the Marathas in 1818, the British administration of the
Bombay Province found it difficult to suppress the activities of
Ramoshis. Since the Maratha rule was over, they became
unemployed. They were working in police administration of Maratha
with the introduction of the British administrative set up the local
tribes like Ramoshiss and Bhills were neglected. Most of them were
removed from job. This led of the rising discontent in their mind
against the British. Though Ramoshiss were unemployed they were
confident of themselves as they were armed. They were ready to
join any one who would provide them suitable employment. The
economic problems created by famine and British regime had
adverse effect on the people.
The Ramoshiss led the banner of revolt under their spirited
leader Umaji Naik. He and his associate Bapu Trimbakji revolted
against the British rule. Their revolt caused a lot of trouble for the
British rule. They lived in forest and people had sympathy for them,
since they did not harm the poor people. On the contrary they
attacked the moneylenders and rich people who were exploiting the
masses. From 1828 to 1829 their rule was the ultimate in the hills
around the fort of Torna. Though their leader Umaji was captured
and put to death by the British they never lost their struggle.
Ramoshiss were so troublesome that after few years, British tried to
pacify them by granting lands as well as recruiting them as hill
police.
Kolis Uprising
The kolis were neighbours of the Bhills and lived in the
country both and below the Sahyadri in the Thane. They were
scattered over the whole area from the border of Kutch to the
Western Ghats. By nature, they were fighting race. In 1824, Kolis of
Gujarat burnt and plundered village. For the British rule, it was the
first taste of their might. It was only the use of force that could stop
the activities of kolis.
Page 4
115
10
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
b) Tribal Uprisings and Peasants Movements
Unit Structure :
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Tribal uprisings
10.3 Peasants movement
10.4 Deccan riots
10.5 Conclusion
10.6 Questions
10.0 OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
As soon as the British took over Western India, Indian
tribes revolted against them. In the Maharashtra the hills tribes
offered heroic resistance to British rule. The tribal uprising was the
resistance against the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule.
There are many factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the
British rule. In Maharashtra, the agrarian discontent against the
British rule was due to the exploitative agrarian policy of the British
rule. The heavy land tax fixed by the land settlement, fall in
agricultural produce, growing poverty of the agricultural masses
and their indebtness added to the miseries of the peasants. The
British neglected the agricultural industry and their alliance with the
moneylenders created serious unrest in the minds of the peasants.
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
The British company uprooted the peasant and the tribal of western
Maharashtra who had opposed vigorously their exploitive economic
policies and tried to throw them out of the country.
TRIBAL UPRISINGS
Indian tribes revolted against the Britishers, as soon as the
British established their control over Western India. In Maharashtra
the hilly tribes offered stiff resistance to the British rule. Ramoshis,
Bhils, Kolis and many other tribal people revolted against the rule of
East India Company. The tribal uprising was the resistance against
the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule. There are many
factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the British rule.
Causes of the revolts
1) The tribes were not happy with the growing influence of the
British in their own area of influence. From many years they
had been living peacefully with the nature. The Mughals and
the Deccan kingdoms hardly interfere in their day to day life.
However the British desire of exploiting the natural resources
made them rebel and stand of against the government.
2) Most of the tribes like Ramoshis and Kolis attacked
moneylenders. Their chief aim was to teach lesson to the
moneylenders who uses to cheat poor ignorant tribal. The
moneylenders had protection of the British government. So
naturally they got evolved against the British rule.
3) The British wished to create a monopoly over forest. Unlike
Indian ruler, the British could not understand the attachment
of the tribes to their original inhabitance. They lived in hilly
regions and forests. They lived in harmony with the nature.
They didn’t like the British attitude of exploitation of natural
wealth for the sake of their material development. The
tightening of British control over their forest zones, creation
of reserved forests and attempt to monopolize forest wealth
made the tribes rebellious.
4) The British disrupted the traditional economic set up. They
devoid the tribal people of their traditional economic set up
and hence the tribal were forced to serve as menial labours
and miners. They were instigated against British by the
hostile personalities like Vasudev Phadke, Trimbak Dengle
and Umaji Naik.
The revolt normally began when the tribes felt oppressed
and had no other way but fight. The tribes organized themselves for
an armed resistance. These tribal people though no match for the
modern military might of the British rule, their struggle against the
colonial power, provided inspiration to the other people.
Ramoshis Uprising
Ramoshiss also known as Berad, was a nomadic tribe of
hunter gatherers found in a large scale in western Maharashtra.
They served as a fighting force in the Maratha army, well known for
their bravery. In the early nineteenth century the commercial British
national forest policy and the conflict it created over forest use
forced them to start struggle against British rule. After the final
defeat of the Marathas in 1818, the British administration of the
Bombay Province found it difficult to suppress the activities of
Ramoshis. Since the Maratha rule was over, they became
unemployed. They were working in police administration of Maratha
with the introduction of the British administrative set up the local
tribes like Ramoshiss and Bhills were neglected. Most of them were
removed from job. This led of the rising discontent in their mind
against the British. Though Ramoshiss were unemployed they were
confident of themselves as they were armed. They were ready to
join any one who would provide them suitable employment. The
economic problems created by famine and British regime had
adverse effect on the people.
The Ramoshiss led the banner of revolt under their spirited
leader Umaji Naik. He and his associate Bapu Trimbakji revolted
against the British rule. Their revolt caused a lot of trouble for the
British rule. They lived in forest and people had sympathy for them,
since they did not harm the poor people. On the contrary they
attacked the moneylenders and rich people who were exploiting the
masses. From 1828 to 1829 their rule was the ultimate in the hills
around the fort of Torna. Though their leader Umaji was captured
and put to death by the British they never lost their struggle.
Ramoshiss were so troublesome that after few years, British tried to
pacify them by granting lands as well as recruiting them as hill
police.
Kolis Uprising
The kolis were neighbours of the Bhills and lived in the
country both and below the Sahyadri in the Thane. They were
scattered over the whole area from the border of Kutch to the
Western Ghats. By nature, they were fighting race. In 1824, Kolis of
Gujarat burnt and plundered village. For the British rule, it was the
first taste of their might. It was only the use of force that could stop
the activities of kolis.
Leadership of Ramaji Bhungere
Ramaji Bhungere a Koli officer who resigned the government
service raised the standard of revolt in 1828. The large number of
Kolis joined him, since most of them became unemployed due to
the British advancement. Government sent troops to suppress the
revolt. The Kolis were inspired by the example of the Ramoshiss.
They got support of common people in their struggle against the
British. They plundered a large number of villages in the Sahyadri.
They were also joined by others dissatisfied leaders of Maratha
nobility such as Chimaji Jadhav, Bhau Khare. The rebels declared
the change of the Government in the name of Peshwa. But the
British government put down the revolt. Soon many Kolis were
captured and put to death. However the spirit of Koli community
was not destroyed.
They broke into revolt again in 1844. This time Raghu
Bhungere was their leader. They raided several villages. The police
and the Kolis experienced many skirmishes. They attacked police
station and killed many police men. It is interesting to note that
during the Koli rebellion of May 1845, the leaders of the Ramoshis
uprising had also joined the Kolis at Purandar in Pune. In 1845 the
rebellion spread in Purandar. Though Bapu Bhungere was captured
the Koli continued their struggle till 1850. By 1850 the first phase of
Koli rebellion had been suppressed. In 1873 Honya an influential
Koli raised a well trained band of followers in the Poona. This time
the moneylenders were main target of Kolis. Honya was against the
moneylenders because they cheated the poor tribesmen. Though
he was cough in 1815 the spirit of rebellion never ceased. Between
May to July 1875 many moneylenders were targeted. British
decided to crush the rebellion of kolis so they sent many able
officers to pun to an end revolt of Koli.
Bhills Uprising
The Bhills were primitive and predatory tribes living in
settlement scattered in the western Maharashtra. Khandesh was
the stronghold of the Bhills. They controlled the mountain passes
between the north and the south. In countryside they were
cultivators. However in hilly region, they carried on plunder of the
rich landlords. They had suffered exploitation at the hand of British.
The British occupied the Khandesh in 1818. This increased the
suspicion in the minds of the Bhills. So they took shelter in hilly
region of Satpuda and carried their activities from there. The
Satpuda region became the base of their military operations.
In 1817 the Bhills rebelled against the British. Economic
distress, famine and the ill governance of the British led them to the
uprising. It was suspected that this uprising was caused at the
Page 5
115
10
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
b) Tribal Uprisings and Peasants Movements
Unit Structure :
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Tribal uprisings
10.3 Peasants movement
10.4 Deccan riots
10.5 Conclusion
10.6 Questions
10.0 OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
As soon as the British took over Western India, Indian
tribes revolted against them. In the Maharashtra the hills tribes
offered heroic resistance to British rule. The tribal uprising was the
resistance against the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule.
There are many factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the
British rule. In Maharashtra, the agrarian discontent against the
British rule was due to the exploitative agrarian policy of the British
rule. The heavy land tax fixed by the land settlement, fall in
agricultural produce, growing poverty of the agricultural masses
and their indebtness added to the miseries of the peasants. The
British neglected the agricultural industry and their alliance with the
moneylenders created serious unrest in the minds of the peasants.
RISE OF NEW FORCES - II
The British company uprooted the peasant and the tribal of western
Maharashtra who had opposed vigorously their exploitive economic
policies and tried to throw them out of the country.
TRIBAL UPRISINGS
Indian tribes revolted against the Britishers, as soon as the
British established their control over Western India. In Maharashtra
the hilly tribes offered stiff resistance to the British rule. Ramoshis,
Bhils, Kolis and many other tribal people revolted against the rule of
East India Company. The tribal uprising was the resistance against
the Zamindar, moneylenders and the British rule. There are many
factors that led to the tribes to revolts against the British rule.
Causes of the revolts
1) The tribes were not happy with the growing influence of the
British in their own area of influence. From many years they
had been living peacefully with the nature. The Mughals and
the Deccan kingdoms hardly interfere in their day to day life.
However the British desire of exploiting the natural resources
made them rebel and stand of against the government.
2) Most of the tribes like Ramoshis and Kolis attacked
moneylenders. Their chief aim was to teach lesson to the
moneylenders who uses to cheat poor ignorant tribal. The
moneylenders had protection of the British government. So
naturally they got evolved against the British rule.
3) The British wished to create a monopoly over forest. Unlike
Indian ruler, the British could not understand the attachment
of the tribes to their original inhabitance. They lived in hilly
regions and forests. They lived in harmony with the nature.
They didn’t like the British attitude of exploitation of natural
wealth for the sake of their material development. The
tightening of British control over their forest zones, creation
of reserved forests and attempt to monopolize forest wealth
made the tribes rebellious.
4) The British disrupted the traditional economic set up. They
devoid the tribal people of their traditional economic set up
and hence the tribal were forced to serve as menial labours
and miners. They were instigated against British by the
hostile personalities like Vasudev Phadke, Trimbak Dengle
and Umaji Naik.
The revolt normally began when the tribes felt oppressed
and had no other way but fight. The tribes organized themselves for
an armed resistance. These tribal people though no match for the
modern military might of the British rule, their struggle against the
colonial power, provided inspiration to the other people.
Ramoshis Uprising
Ramoshiss also known as Berad, was a nomadic tribe of
hunter gatherers found in a large scale in western Maharashtra.
They served as a fighting force in the Maratha army, well known for
their bravery. In the early nineteenth century the commercial British
national forest policy and the conflict it created over forest use
forced them to start struggle against British rule. After the final
defeat of the Marathas in 1818, the British administration of the
Bombay Province found it difficult to suppress the activities of
Ramoshis. Since the Maratha rule was over, they became
unemployed. They were working in police administration of Maratha
with the introduction of the British administrative set up the local
tribes like Ramoshiss and Bhills were neglected. Most of them were
removed from job. This led of the rising discontent in their mind
against the British. Though Ramoshiss were unemployed they were
confident of themselves as they were armed. They were ready to
join any one who would provide them suitable employment. The
economic problems created by famine and British regime had
adverse effect on the people.
The Ramoshiss led the banner of revolt under their spirited
leader Umaji Naik. He and his associate Bapu Trimbakji revolted
against the British rule. Their revolt caused a lot of trouble for the
British rule. They lived in forest and people had sympathy for them,
since they did not harm the poor people. On the contrary they
attacked the moneylenders and rich people who were exploiting the
masses. From 1828 to 1829 their rule was the ultimate in the hills
around the fort of Torna. Though their leader Umaji was captured
and put to death by the British they never lost their struggle.
Ramoshiss were so troublesome that after few years, British tried to
pacify them by granting lands as well as recruiting them as hill
police.
Kolis Uprising
The kolis were neighbours of the Bhills and lived in the
country both and below the Sahyadri in the Thane. They were
scattered over the whole area from the border of Kutch to the
Western Ghats. By nature, they were fighting race. In 1824, Kolis of
Gujarat burnt and plundered village. For the British rule, it was the
first taste of their might. It was only the use of force that could stop
the activities of kolis.
Leadership of Ramaji Bhungere
Ramaji Bhungere a Koli officer who resigned the government
service raised the standard of revolt in 1828. The large number of
Kolis joined him, since most of them became unemployed due to
the British advancement. Government sent troops to suppress the
revolt. The Kolis were inspired by the example of the Ramoshiss.
They got support of common people in their struggle against the
British. They plundered a large number of villages in the Sahyadri.
They were also joined by others dissatisfied leaders of Maratha
nobility such as Chimaji Jadhav, Bhau Khare. The rebels declared
the change of the Government in the name of Peshwa. But the
British government put down the revolt. Soon many Kolis were
captured and put to death. However the spirit of Koli community
was not destroyed.
They broke into revolt again in 1844. This time Raghu
Bhungere was their leader. They raided several villages. The police
and the Kolis experienced many skirmishes. They attacked police
station and killed many police men. It is interesting to note that
during the Koli rebellion of May 1845, the leaders of the Ramoshis
uprising had also joined the Kolis at Purandar in Pune. In 1845 the
rebellion spread in Purandar. Though Bapu Bhungere was captured
the Koli continued their struggle till 1850. By 1850 the first phase of
Koli rebellion had been suppressed. In 1873 Honya an influential
Koli raised a well trained band of followers in the Poona. This time
the moneylenders were main target of Kolis. Honya was against the
moneylenders because they cheated the poor tribesmen. Though
he was cough in 1815 the spirit of rebellion never ceased. Between
May to July 1875 many moneylenders were targeted. British
decided to crush the rebellion of kolis so they sent many able
officers to pun to an end revolt of Koli.
Bhills Uprising
The Bhills were primitive and predatory tribes living in
settlement scattered in the western Maharashtra. Khandesh was
the stronghold of the Bhills. They controlled the mountain passes
between the north and the south. In countryside they were
cultivators. However in hilly region, they carried on plunder of the
rich landlords. They had suffered exploitation at the hand of British.
The British occupied the Khandesh in 1818. This increased the
suspicion in the minds of the Bhills. So they took shelter in hilly
region of Satpuda and carried their activities from there. The
Satpuda region became the base of their military operations.
In 1817 the Bhills rebelled against the British. Economic
distress, famine and the ill governance of the British led them to the
uprising. It was suspected that this uprising was caused at the
instigation of Trimbakji Dengle, the noble of Peshwa Bajirao II.
When British pressurized Bajirao to arrest Trimbakji, the Bhills
turned anti British and revolted against them. The British
succeeded in suppressing the Bhills rising by military actions and
by conciliatory approach. Bhill uprising in 1819 led to the
devastation of neighboring region. The British adopted brutal
method to uproot Bhills. Their settlement of Bhills was destroyed
and many of them killed. Then also many Bhills continued their
struggle. Taking advantage of the British reverse in Burmese war in
1825 the Bhills again rebelled. They challenged British authority
from time to time. The British policy of suppression and conciliation
seemed to pacify them at last. But it took too much time.
Revolt of Gadkari
Gadkari used to garrison the Maratha forts and enjoyed land
grants for their service. After the third Anglo Maratha war, their
services were dispensed and they were required to pay revenues
for the lands they held. The British took away some other
customary privilege of the Gadkaris. These activities spread
discontent among the soldiers and common people against the
British. This led to the rising of Gadkaries. The local military
commanders also joined them. Gadkari rising became a general
popular revolt against the British. The fire of rebellion spread
neighboring states also. The rebels captured the forts of Panhala
and Pavangad. The Bombay government took extensive steps to
suppress the revolt. After the intensive military campaign, the
British finally succeeded in suppressing the risings of the Gadkaries
Gond uprising
Maratha power was the last regime which was defeated by
the British. Bhosale of Nagpur was one of the important center of
Maratha might. However after the end of their rule, British were free
to introduce their administrative system in the Nagpur region.
Within three years of their assuming charge of Chandrapur, the
British had to face a trouble in the area. A large part of Chandrapur
district was covered with thick forest populated mainly by Gonds.
Several Zamindars also were related to the Raj Gond families of
Chandrapur. A number of Raj Gond had helped Appasaheb
Bhosale in his struggle against the British.
Taking advantage of the revolt of 1857 the Gond Zamindar
of Adapalli and Ghot revolted against the British. They gathered a
considerable force of Gonds and brought Rajgad Pargana under
his control. British sent army to suppress the Gond rebellion.
Baburao Gond attacked the English camp in the Aheri province and
looted it. English army did find it difficult to suppress the Gond
revolt. However treachery played the trick. Baburao Gond was
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