Freedom Movement in Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

• In 1818, Chhattisgarh first came under British influence. In 1854, following the annexation of the Nagpur province by the British government, Chhattisgarh was organized into a deputy commissionership with its headquarters in Raipur. 
• The British introduced changes to the administrative and revenue systems in Chhattisgarh, which had negative impacts on the local population. 
• The people of Chhattisgarh, particularly in Bastar, strongly resisted British intrusion, and this resistance continued until 1947.

Cause of the Rise of National Movement in Chhatisgarh

• Several factors contributed to the development of national consciousness in Chhattisgarh, including the exploitation of local peasants, the occurrence of severe famines in the region, and efforts to resist conversion by Christian missionaries. Key figures who played a significant role in fostering this consciousness include Pt. Sundarlal Sharma, Thakur Pyarelal Singh, Shri Madhavrao, and Shri Medhawale.
• The First War of Independence in 1857 was led in Chhattisgarh by Vir Narayan Singh, a benevolent zamindar of Sonakhan, who became the first martyr from the region in this struggle. His martyrdom was revived in the 1980s, making him a powerful symbol of Chhattisgarhi pride. Bastar, too, was actively involved in the First Freedom Struggle of 1857 and was an integral part of one of the earliest movements for independence in India.

Chhattisgarh Rebellions

Chhattisgarh, a state with a significant tribal population, has a diverse history marked by numerous uprisings over the centuries. These rebellions, ranging from local revolts to large-scale movements, have played a crucial role in shaping the region's identity and history.
 Some of the important Chhattisgarh Rebellions are:

• Halba Rebellion (1774-1779): The Halba Rebellion, spanning from 1774 to 1779, was a significant uprising in Chhattisgarh.
• Bhopalpatnam Struggle of 1795: In 1795, the Bhopalpatnam Struggle emerged as a notable event in the history of Chhattisgarh.
• Paralkot Rebellion (1825): The Paralkot Rebellion of 1825 stands out as a key rebellion in the region's history.
• Tarapur Rebellion (1842-1854): Commencing in 1842 and lasting until 1854, the Tarapur Rebellion was a prolonged and impactful event in Chhattisgarh.
• Maria Rebellion (1842-1863): The Maria Rebellion, spanning from 1842 to 1863, was a significant uprising that left a lasting impact on the region.
• First Freedom Struggle (1856-1857): The First Freedom Struggle, occurring from 1856 to 1857, was a pivotal moment in the fight for independence in India, with Chhattisgarh playing an active role.
• Koi Revolt (1859): The Koi Revolt of 1859 was a notable event that added to the tapestry of rebellions in Chhattisgarh.
• Muria Rebellion (1876): In 1876, the Muria Rebellion unfolded, contributing to the history of uprisings in Chhattisgarh.
• Rani Rebellion (1878-1882): Commencing in 1878 and lasting until 1882, the Rani Rebellion was a significant chapter in the region's history of resistance.
• Bhumkal Uprising (1910): The Bhumkal Uprising of 1910 marked another instance of resistance and rebellion in Chhattisgarh.

Koi Revolt

• The Koi revolt was a significant mass uprising among the tribal people of Bastar, initiated in response to the oppressive British rule.
• This important rebellion in Chhattisgarh's history, known as the Koi revolt, occurred in 1859.
• The revolt was sparked by the tribal people's refusal to accept the British decision to grant contracts for cutting Sal trees to outsiders from the Bastar region.
• The British had offered these contracts to contractors from Hyderabad, who were given the rights to cut Sal trees in Bastar.
• The people involved in cutting the trees, known as Kois, were part of the local zamindaris, and their name later became associated with the revolution.
• The contractors not only exploited the natural resources but also mistreated the innocent tribal people in various ways.
• When the situation became unbearable, the tribal people of Bastar called for the Koi revolution, united in their resolve to prevent the cutting of even a single tree.
• The British attempted to suppress the unrest through various methods, but the tribal people remained determined to protect their natural resources and the rich forests of Bastar from exploitation.

Maria Rebellion

• The Maria revolt took place in the Bastar region and was led by the Maria Tribe, lasting for a prolonged period of twenty years.
• The Maria Revolution spanned from 1842 to 1863, marking it as a long and enduring rebellion.
• The revolt was fought primarily to preserve the practice of human sacrifice, a ritual deeply rooted in the tribal culture.
• Although the cause of preserving such a practice may seem inhumane, the tribal people felt they had no other choice.
• The Marathas and the British invaded the region repeatedly, making it difficult for the tribal people to maintain their cultural identity and traditions.
• The combined rule of the Marathas and the British forced the indigenous tribes to abandon their tribal beliefs and practices.
• The British and Marathas frequently entered the temples, which the tribal people believed desecrated the sacred spaces.
• To protect their identity and way of life, the Marias saw revolt as the only option against the invaders.
• The Maria Rebellion is considered one of the significant tribal uprisings in history.

Muria Rebellion

• The Muria rebellion was another significant uprising that took place in the Bastar region, starting in 1876.
• In 1867, Gopinath Kapardas was appointed as the Diwan of Bastar, but he exploited the simple and innocent tribal people.
• Unable to endure the Diwan's atrocities, the tribal people appealed to the King to remove him from his position, but the King did not support their plea.
• This situation continued for a long time, and after being repeatedly ignored, the tribal people were left with no choice but to revolt.
• Filled with anger, the indigenous Muria people initiated the Muria rebellion.
• On March 2, 1876, the enraged tribal people surrounded Jagdalpur, where the King resided.
• The Muria people besieged the King, blocking all exits and leaving him unable to inform the British about the growing unrest.
• Eventually, the British Army was sent to rescue the King and suppress the rebellion of the justice-seeking tribal people.

Paralkot Rebellion

• The year 1825 was significant for the Abujhmarias, the inhabitants of what is now Chhattisgarh, as they launched the Paralkot Rebellion.
• The revolt was led by Gend Singh, an Abujhmaria, and supported by his fellow tribesmen, expressing their accumulated resentment against foreign invaders, particularly the Marathas and the British.
• The rebellion aimed to create a world free of all evils, resisting the foreign powers that threatened the individuality of the native tribes.
• The Marathas had imposed heavy taxes on the native people, which they found impossible to pay, prompting them to revolt against the injustice.
• The Abujhmarias sought to build a Bastar free from foreign intrusion, standing up against the oppressive rule.

Tarapur Rebellion

• The Tarapur Rebellion was another significant uprising where the people of Bastar resisted foreign rule, taking place from 1842 to 1854.
• The native people felt their local traditions and culture were under threat, and the social, political, and economic principles were being undermined.
• The rebellion was a response to the Anglo-Maratha rule, with the people striving to restore their native culture.
• The tribal people were burdened with heavy taxes, which they were forced to pay, leading to widespread discontent.
• The local Diwan, who collected taxes, became the symbol of oppression, as the higher authorities were beyond the reach of the common people, fueling the rage that led to the Tarapur Rebellion.

Halba Rebellion

• The Halba Rebellion occurred in the Bastar District of Chhattisgarh and brought about lasting changes in the region.
• Following the decline of the Chalukyas, both the Marathas and the British sought to control the area, leading to the Halba Rebellion in 1774.
• The revolt was initiated by Ajmer Singh, the governor of Dongar, with the aim of establishing a new and independent state in Dongar.
• The Halba tribe and soldiers supported Ajmer Singh in this uprising, which was driven by widespread poverty and food scarcity among the common people.
• A severe drought had further worsened the situation, particularly affecting those with limited cultivable land, and the added pressure from the Marathas and the British ultimately led to the rebellion.
• The British and Maratha forces eventually suppressed the revolt, leading to the massacre of many Halba tribal people and the defeat of their army.

Contribution of Chhattisgarh In Freedom Movement

Jangal Satyagrah in Chhattisgarh

• During the national movement in Chhattisgarh, several Jangal Satyagrah (Forest Satyagrahas) occurred at various locations such as Silhava-Nagari, Gattasili, Rudri-Nawagaon, Mahasamund, and Durg.
• These Satyagrahas were successfully led by local leaders, with significant participation from the people in these regions.

Individual Satyagraha Movement in Chhattisgarh

• The Individual Satyagraha, proposed by Gandhiji, was passed at the Congress Session in Bombay in 1940.
• In Chhattisgarh, this movement also had a significant impact, with prominent leaders leading the Individual Satyagraha in various locations.
• In Raipur, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla was appointed as the Individual Satyagrahi, successfully leading various programs related to the movement.
• Many prominent leaders and followers were arrested during this time and imprisoned.

Non-cooperation Movement in Chhattisgarh

• The Non-cooperation Movement, initiated by Gandhiji in 1920, included various programs to protest against British rule.
• In Chhattisgarh, it began with the Kandel Nahar Aandolan in Dhamtari.
• Gandhiji visited Chhattisgarh in 1920 to support this movement, during which various programs were successfully conducted by local leaders.

Civil Disobedience Movement in Chhattisgarh

• The Civil Disobedience Movement, started by Gandhiji in 1930, also affected Chhattisgarh.
• In Raipur, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla initiated the movement by making salt, while in Dhamtari, it began as Jangal Satyagrah.
• The movement spread to other locations such as Gattasili, Rudri-Nawagaon, Mahasamund, Durg, and Bilaspur, where leaders disobeyed British laws.
• The movement was temporarily halted due to the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931 but resumed in 1932 and continued until 1934.

Quit India Movement

• After the failure of the Cripps Mission, the Quit India resolution was passed at the Congress Session in Bombay in 1942, where Gandhiji gave the famous slogan "Do or die."
• The Quit India Movement quickly spread to Chhattisgarh, affecting places like Raipur, Bilaspur, and Durg.
• Prominent leaders such as Ravishankar, Chedilal Singh, and Shri Raghunandan Singraul led the movement in these regions to protest against British rule.

Role of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla in The National Movement in Chhattisgarh

• Pt. Ravishankar Shukla was born in Sagar in 1877 and moved to Raipur in 1907, where he dedicated his life to the national movement until his death in 1956.
• He played a significant role in various national movements, including the Home-Rule movement in 1916, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Jhanda Satyagraha in 1923.
• He also contributed to the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 and the Quit India Movement in 1942.
• He served as the President of the Raipur Congress District Committee in 1920 and later became the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 1956.

Role of Er. Raghvendra Rao in National Movement in Chhattisgarh

• Er. Raghvendra Rao was a powerful leader in Chhattisgarh, playing a prominent role in the national movement.
• Born in 1889 in Bilaspur, he earned a higher degree in London before returning to Bilaspur to participate in various national movements.
• From 1915 to 1941, he was elected and assigned to various posts, contributing significantly to the development of national consciousness in the Chhattisgarh region.