Thunderous Drums, Silent Sacrifices: Unveiling the Valour of Tribal Martyrs in Colonial Rajasthan

Abstract

The tribals, peasants and labourers also resisted the British economic policies in Rajasthan, as the British were concerned only with the timely collection of revenue, which was fixed at high rates. Zamindars, jagirdars and others who were engaged in collecting the revenue were least concerned about the paying capacity of the cultivators and forcefully collected the taxes. This created discontent and resentment among the local population. This discontent, at various junctures, took the form of rebellion. Now, it is very pertinent to say that the people who led the rebellions were from those millions of ordinary people—forest dwellers, labourers, housewives and artisans. The Bhils (tribes) of Rajasthan raised their voice against the British, just like the tribes of other parts of India. They fought against the feudo-colonial atrocious policies and untouchability, and supported equality and education. They also protested against the oppressive feudal lords and their exploitative practices and advocated land reforms, social change and responsible government. Tribal rebellion in Rajasthan started in 1818, immediately after the treaties between the British and the Rajputana princely states, and continued until India gained independence in 1947. The most notable among the tribal rebellions were the Bhil Rebellion of Banswara, Pratapgarh and Sirohi, 1818–1860; Mer Rebellion (Mewar and Marwar), 1820; Meena Rebellion, 1851–1860; Bhagat Bhil Movement, Dungarpur and Banswara, 1907–1913; and Bhil Girassia Movement, Sirohi, Rajasthan, 1922. During these rebellions, the Bhils warned the administration either to remove the main grievance of the Bhils or to face the overthrowing of the states’ authority to oppress and ill-treat them. In the process, the Bhils faced a lot of hardship—several of their huts and large quantities of grain were burnt. The atrocities of the feudo-colonial administration did not stop there; they continued further, as the troops attacked their villages often, fired upon them, burnt their huts, corn and cattle, plundered their goods and chattels, and drove them off to the hills. The Bhils, however, did not give up until many of them were injured, captured and killed. Apart from this, many Bhils, such as Nanak Bhil, Nanabhai Khant, Saingabhai and Kalibai, were actively involved in different movements during the freedom struggle in Rajasthan and attained martyrdom while fighting the local administration backed by the British.