Ramosi Risings

The Ramosis, the hill tribes of the Western Ghats, had not reconciled to British rule and the British pattern of administration. They resented the policy of annexation. After the annexation of the Maratha territories by the British, the Ramosis, who had been employed by the Maratha administration, lost their means of livelihood. They rose under Chittur Singh in 1822 and plundered the country around Satara. Again, there were eruptions in 1825-26 under Umaji Naik of Poona and his supporter Bapu Trimbakji Sawant, and

Tribal Movements: Period, Region, Causes at a Glance

1. Pahariyas’ Rebellion by the martial Pahariyas (1778; Raj Mahal Hills); against the British expansion on their lands.

2. Chuar Uprisings by the Chuar aboriginal tribesmen (1776); against rise in demands and economic privation by the British.

3. Kol Uprisings by the Kols of Chottanagpur led by Buddho Bhagat (1831); against expansion of British rule on their lands and transfer of their lands to outsiders; the revolt was suppressed.

4. Ho and Munda Uprisings

(a) by Ho tribals by led of Raja Parahat (1827; Singhbhum and Chottanagpur); against occupation of Singhbhum by British.

(b) by Ho tribals and the Mundas (1831); against the newly introduced farming revenue policy.

(c) by the Mundas led by Birsa Munda (1899-1900; south of Ranchi); Birsa was captured and imprisoned.

(d) the Ulgulan uprising, supported by Birsa Munda (1860-1920); against introduction of feudal, zamindari tenures and exploitation by moneylenders and forest contractors.

5. Santhal Rebellion by the Santhals led by Sido and Kanhu (1855- 56; Bihar); against the practices of zamindars and moneylenders; the rebellion later turned anti-British and was suppressed.

6. Kondh uprisings led by Chakra Bisnoi (1837-56 and later in 1914; hilly region extending from Tamil Nadu to Bengal; in Orissa in 1914); against interference in tribal customs and imposition of new taxes.

7. Naikada Movement (1860s; Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat); against British and caste Hindus.

8. Kharwar Rebellion by the Kharwars (1870s; Bihar); against revenue settlement activities.

9. Khonda Dora Campaign by Khonda Doras led by Korra Mallaya (1900; Dabur region in Vishakapatnam).

10. Bhil Revolts (1817-19 and 1913; region of Western Ghats); against Company Rule (in 1817-19) and to form Bhil Raj.

11. Bhuyan and Juang Rebellions by the Bhuyans, Juangs and Kals; first uprising was led by Ratna Nayak; second uprising was led by Dharni Dhar Nayak (1867-68; 1891-93; Kheonjhar, Orissa); against the installation of a British protege on the throne after the death of their raja in 1867.

12. Koya Revolts by the Koyas and the Khonda Sara Chiefs

– led by Tomma Sora in 1879-80

– led by Raja Anantayyar in 1886 (eastern Godavari region Andhra Pradesh); against oppression by police, moneylenders; new regulations and denial of their rights over forest areas.

13. Bastar Revolt (1910; Jagdalpur); against new feudal and forest levies.

14. Tana Bhagat Movements among the Mundas and Oraon tribes led by Jatra Bhagat, Balram Bhagat who preached that God’s benevolent delegate would arrive to free the tribals (1914-1915; Chottanagpur); against interference of outsiders; began as Sanskritisation movement.

15. Rampa Revolts led by Alluri Sitarama Raju of the Koyas (1916, 1922-1924; Rampa region in Andhra Pradesh); against British interference; capture and execution of Raju in 1924.

16. Jharkhand Uprising by tribals of Chottanagpur region (1920 onwards; parts of Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal); Adivasi Mahasabha was formed in 1937 which was replaced by Regional Jharkhand Party in 1949.

17. Forest Satyagrahas (a) by Chenchu tribals (1920s; Guntur district in Andhra), (b) by Karwars of Palamau (1930s; Bihar); against increasing British control over forests.

18. Gond Uprising (1940s) to bring together the believers of Gond- dharma.

the disturbances continued till 1829. The disturbance occurred again in 1839 over deposition and banishment of Raja Pratap Singh of Satara, and disturbances erupted in 1840-41 also. Finally, a superior British force restored order in the area. Generally the British followed a pacifist policy towards the Ramosis, and even recruited some of them into the hill police.