The Resistance and Rebellion, importance and analysis
India had a rich and economically unexploited Forest Reserve before the arrival of the East India Company. People living within those forests were termed as the Tribal people or Adivasis. Shifting agriculture, hunting, fishing and the use of forest product were the mainstay of the tribal community.
With the establishment, the East India Company had tried to monopolise
the Forest Reserve as well as exploit the Tribal Community. They adopted two
desperate methods to exploit.
Method One:
The East India Company had started
the influx of non-tribal community into the traditional regions of the tribes. The
practice of settled agriculture was introduced. Hence, many forest trees were
cut down to bring the land under cultivation. This led to the loss of land to
the tribal communities.
The introduction of zamindars and money lenders
into the tribal areas led to severe exploitation of the local tribes. Thus Tribal revolts had been the result of combined action of extortions by the zamindars, the money lenders, the
police, the revenue department, and the court. The tribal communities had no option but to pay all the taxes and
levies. They were abused and dispossessed of their own property. Thus, the tribes were reduced
to being landless agricultural labourers. They became bonded labourers under
the new economic system. The Indian tribal societies had a system of joint
ownership of land which was replaced by the notion of private property.
Traditionally, the Tribal society had been a classless and
casteless society. With the influx of the non-tribal communities or outsiders
(called Dikus), the tribal society was marked with class and caste distinctions.
Hence, the tribal people were come to be classified under the lowest rungs of
society. The work of the Christian missionaries also led to social upheaval in
tribal society and this was also resented by them.
Method two:-
The establishment of the
East India Company led to economically and commercially exploitation of the
Forest Reserve of India. In 1855, the Company passed the law and monopolised
the trade of Teak and Timber trees in India. In 1856, the Company appointed the
Inspector General of Forest to monitor and forest resources and
supervise the activities of the tribal communities.
In 1864, a Forest Department was set up by the government mainly to
control the rich resources of Indian forests. The Government Forest Act of
1865 and The Indian Forest Act of 1878 established complete
government monopoly over the forested land and resources. There were
restrictions imposed on the use of forest produce, on shifting agriculture and
on hunting practices. This led to loss of livelihood for the tribal communities.
(Government Forest Act of 1865 is also termed as the Indian Forest Act of
1865).
Forest Classification:
According the Indian Forest Act, the forest
reserves of India were classified into three categories. (i) Un-Reserved
Forest, (ii) Semi-Reserved Forest, (iii) Reserved Forest.
Un-Reserved Forest:- The Forest of India which had no economically
important trees, was categorized under Un-Reserved Forest. The tribal
communities were allowed to live within the forest. There were no restrictions
imposed on the use of forest produce, on shifting agriculture and on hunting
practices.
Semi-Reserved Forest:- The Forest of India
which had some economically important trees such as teak and timber, was categorized
under Semi-Reserved Forest. The tribal communities were allowed to live
within the forest and exploit the forest resources of local importance. The portion
of forest containing economically important trees and shrubs was kept under the
surveillance of company. The local tribal communities were driven out of this
portion.
Reserved Forest: The Forest of India
which had rich reserve of economically important trees was categorized under Reserved
Forest. These forests were kept under complete surveillance of East India
Company. The tribal communities were driven out and were not allowed to exploit
the forest resources.
Conclusion:-
The social and economic exploitation of tribes
and the Indian Forest Act had been the bone of contention between the tribal
communities and the East India Company. The tribal communities were driven out
of their homeland and this had led the hostilities began. Chaur Revolt, Santhal
Revolt, Kol Revolt, Bhil Revolt, and Munda Revolt are the best examples of the
tribal revolts.
Q1. What were the causes of the tribal revolts in India during the British rule?
Q2. When did the Indian Forest Act promulgated by the British? How the Act had classified Indian forests?
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