Workers, Peasant and Tribal Movements in Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Rebellion in Chhattisgarh

Some of the important Rebellions  in Chhattisgarh are:

• Halba Rebellion (1774-1779): This rebellion spanned from 1774 to 1779.
• Bhopalpatnam Struggle (1795): A significant struggle that occurred in 1795.
• Paralkot Rebellion (1825): An uprising that took place in 1825.
• Tarapur Rebellion (1842-1854): This rebellion started in 1842 and lasted until 1854.
• Maria Rebellion (1842-1863): A rebellion that began in 1842 and extended till 1863.
• First Freedom Struggle (1856-1857): This struggle commenced in 1856 and continued till 1857.
• Koi Revolt (1859): An uprising known as the Koi Revolt that transpired in 1859.
• Muria Rebellion (1876): A rebellion that occurred in 1876.
• Rani Rebellion (1878-1882): The Rani Rebellion initiated in 1878 and lasted until 1882.
• Bhumkal Rebellion (1910): A significant rebellion that erupted in 1910.

Workers, Peasant and Tribal Movements in Chhattisgarh

Halba Revolts

• The Halba Revolt marked a significant historical event in Bastar, leading to the downfall of the Chalukya dynasty and paving the way for Maratha and British incursions.
• In 1774, Governor Ajmar Singh of Dongar spearheaded the rebellion with the aim of establishing an independent kingdom in Dongar, supported by the Halba tribe and soldiers.
• Economic distress triggered the revolt, exacerbated by a prolonged famine and limited arable land, worsened by the presence of Maratha and East India Company forces.
• The combined might of the British, Marathas, and Bastar armies quashed the rebellion, resulting in a brutal massacre of Halba tribesmen.
• Despite its defeat, the revolt set the stage for the decline of the Chalukya dynasty, bringing about significant changes in Bastar's history.

Paralkot Rebellion

• The Paralkot Rebellion symbolized the discontent among the Abhujhmarias towards external intrusions, particularly by the Marathas and British.
• Led by Gend Singh, the rebellion aimed to create a society free from exploitation and plunder, resisting the encroachment of Marathas and British on their identity.
• The rebels protested against the taxation imposed by the Maratha rulers, seeking to restore Bastar's autonomy and freedom from foreign dominance.
• By organizing the Paralkot rebellion in 1825, the Abhujhmarias sought to protect their cultural heritage and sovereignty against external forces.

The Tarapur Rebellion

• Tarapur rebellion arose as a response to the encroachment on local customs and the disruption of traditional social, economic, and political structures.
• Initially triggered by resistance to imposed taxes under Anglo-Maratha rule, the tribal communities viewed these taxes as unfamiliar and oppressive.
• The local Diwan, responsible for tax collection, became a symbol of oppression due to the inaccessibility of higher authorities.

The Maria Rebellion

• Lasting for about two decades from 1842 to 1863, the Maria rebellion was ostensibly about protecting the practice of human sacrifice led by Bu Hirma Manjhi.
• In reality, the revolt was a protest against the disrespectful interference with tribal beliefs, particularly exemplified by British and Maratha intrusion into the Danteshwari temple, violating the sanctity of the Maria tribe's faith.
• Unable to reclaim their sacred spaces, the Maria tribe saw the rebellion as a defensive measure to safeguard their identity and practices.

The First War of Independence of 1857

The Lingagiri Rebellion in Bastar

• Southern Bastar served as the center of the revolt against British rule, led by Dhruvarao Mariya. Under his leadership, a battle was waged against the oppressive British forces, with strong support from his fellow tribesmen. 
• The southern region of Bastar played a crucial role in the First Freedom Movement. Dhruvarao, who belonged to the Dorlaon tribe, one of the many Maria tribes in and around Bastar, led the movement with the backing of his tribesmen and others from neighboring tribes. 
• This area became one of the main centers of the revolt, and Bastar's significant contribution to the First Struggle for Freedom is forever etched in history.

Koi Rebellion

• The Koi Rebellion occurred in 1859 in protest against the British decision to award logging contracts to contractors from Hyderabad, known for exploiting tribal populations.

Muria Rebellion

• In 1867, the Muria Rebellion was sparked by the appointment of Gopinath Kapardas as the diwan of the Bastar state, leading to widespread exploitation of tribal communities.
• Tribal groups collectively demanded the removal of the diwan from power, but their pleas were repeatedly denied by the king.
• The rebellion culminated in a siege of Jagdalpur in 1876, necessitating intervention by a British force sent by the Resident of Orissa.

Bhumkal Rebellion

• The Bhumkal Rebellion marked the peak of 150 years of dissent and uprisings in Bastar, involving 46 out of 84 Paraganas in the region.

Causes of Rebellion

• The removal of Rudrapratap Deo from power marked a significant turning point. 
• The forest was first designated as a reserved forest, and contractors were granted the rights to extract timber and wood for railway sleepers, leading to widespread exploitation. 
• The brutality and exploitation by the police further fueled resentment among the local population. 
• Additionally, the introduction of schools and education, along with the government's monopoly on liquor brewing, added to the growing discontent.

The Dhurwa tribesmen of Kanger, where the forest reservation took place, took the initiative to resist these changes. A key figure in this resistance was Gunda Dhur from Nethanar Village. In 1910, a symbolic call to action began circulating between villages in the form of mango barks, lumps of earth, chillies, and arrows, signaling the start of a coordinated uprising.