One of the first British resistance actions that any clan or tribe in the nation took was the Bhil revolt in 1818. The Bhil Revolt of 1818 was one of the country’s earliest tribal group-led uprisings. The East India Company’s horrendous treatment of the Bhils, who were dispossessed of their long-standing forest rights and exploited, served as the impetus for the uprising.
The British deployed a force to put down the uprising in response, which they successfully did. Yet it wasn’t all for nothing; as a condition of the peace treaty, the British granted a number of tariff concessions and returned the rights to certain types of forest.
History
One of the first British resistance efforts that any tribe or tribes in the country adopted was the Bhil Rebellion in 1818. The British Empire and feudalism were the targets of the Rajputana uprising. The tribe had a long history of living in harmony, but changes to the British government and the feudal system led them to rebel against the government.
Several circumstances led to the revolts, and once the British arrived in India, some administrative changes occurred. The Bhil tribal people completely profited from numerous forest rights prior to these advances. In 1818, all of the Bhil tribal nations collaborated with the British government to sign a pact.
The British people adopted the position of the real ruler because they were now able to interfere and set policies in both the state’s internal and exterior affairs. The Bhils also lost their ability to use and eat a number of commodities that were abundantly produced in the forest. In the end, Colonel Walter, a British representative, made peace with the Aboriginal people. Native People were granted concessions regarding their access to the wilderness and their ability to pay various taxes.
Causes
The actual causes, however, were the above-mentioned discriminatory policies and the oppressive, superiority complex-infused attitude of the government towards the Bhils. Hence, when the Bhils of Mewar revolted in 1881, it was viewed as a threat. The Maharana responded quickly, presumably in an effort to atone for prior errors that he had made on the British’s counsel.
He granted the Bhils’ 21 requests at Rekhabdeo and stopped the British from intervening, which may have led to merciless suppression and further erosion of Mughal-Rajput confidence. Although the Bhil uprisings lacked coordination, Daulat Singh did show some effective leadership.
Consequences
The British government dispatched troops to quell the Bhil insurrection of 1818 by stifling the opposition. The soldiers forced the Bhil warriors to swiftly submit, but it backfired since it increased animosity and hostility towards the British. Due to the ever-increasing challenges in the dense forest, the forces were unable to penetrate far into the forest to entirely put an end to the insurrection.
Meanwhile, the Mewar ruler’s aides unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with the Bhils. Col. Walter, a British representative, eventually reached an agreement for peace with the tribes people. Native Americans received concessions over their rights to pay various taxes and their access to the forest. Even though the British claimed to have put an end to the revolt, they were never able to establish a state of permanent calm in the regions where the Bhils lived.
The Bhil insurrection is important in Indian history because it exposed the mistreatment of the tribesmen and attempts by outside troops to subjugate the locals. During the British colonial rule in India, the political consciousness of the Bhil community against the British raised awareness among other ordinary Indians.
CUTCH REBELLION
Kachchh is an ancient land with a significant historical age. The Kutch Rebellion, headed by its leaders, lasted from 1816 until 1832 in various forms. The power struggle between the monarch and the 12 chieftains escalated into rebellion. The throne was established in 1816 as a result of a pact signed by Rao Bharmal II, the ruler of Kutch, and the British.
Background
- This was arguably the first uprising against the British Raj.
- Long before the famous ‘First War of Independence’ in 1857, there was a determined effort to oust the British from a corner of the country.
- In 1816, Kutch was the first to erupt.
- Even a devastating earthquake three years later, in 1819, could not dampen the spirits of a band of revolutionaries.
Kutch Rebellion
- In 1816, the British signed a treaty with Rao Bharmal II of Kutch that granted the royal authority.
- However, there was a power struggle going on between the maharaja and a group of chieftains.
- The British meddled in Kutch’s internal feuds, and in 1819, Rao Bharmal II assembled Arab and African forces with the strong purpose of driving the British out of his domain.
- The chieftains were also on the side of Rao Bharamal.
- Rao Bharamal, the Kutch monarch, was beaten and overthrown by the British in favour of his young son.
- With the assistance of a regency council, a British resident administered the region as the de facto king.
- The regency council’s administrative improvements, along with disproportionate land valuation, sowed seeds of dissatisfaction.
- Meanwhile, some of the chieftains persisted in their struggle against foreign control.
- The news of British reversal in the Burma War spurred the chiefs to rise in revolt and seek Bharamal II’s reinstatement.
- After considerable military efforts failed to manage the situation, the Company’s leaders were forced to adopt a more conciliatory approach.
- Rao Bharmal II assumed control of the state, and Chief Minister Hansraj was handed the fiefdoms of Anjar, Bhachau, Bhadargad, and Kanthkot in 1815.
- When Rana Hansraj refused to surrender, the British force led by Colonel East and the forces of Gaekwad from Baroda State stormed Anjar.
- They took over the fort of Anjar, then the port of Tuna. In 1816, the army marched towards Bhuj, encamping at Lakond.
- Captain MacMurdo was appointed as the British Resident at Bhuj and Collector of Anjar in 1816, when Rao Bharmal II accepted British suzerainty.
- The British forces stormed Bhuj in 1819, with the help of several Jadeja lords, and defeated Rao Bharmal II.
Conclusion
Kachchh is an ancient land with a significant historical age. It is called Kachchh due to its geological features and turtle-like landform. This name can be found in ancient history. The most formidable was Rao Bharmal II’s rebellion, which raised Arab troops with the stated intention of driving the British out of his country. Despite his defeat, the struggle was carried on by other chieftains. The Kutch Rebellion, led by its leaders, lasted in various forms from 1816 to 1832.
KOLI RISING
Location
Ahmednagar of Maharashtra (1822-29)
The tribes in the Taranga hills of Mehsana district in Gujarat (1857)
Leadership
From 1822-1829, Ramji Bhangre led a revolt against the British Raj and the local Baniya moneylenders.
The uprising in the Taranga hills was led by Maganlal Bhukhan, Dwarakadas, and Jetha Madhavji
Reasons
1822-29: In 1818, the British took over Pune from Peshwas. Ramji became Jamadar in Nayakwari police. Disputes over levies and salary led him to resign and start a revolt in February 1829.
1857: Kolis, affected by colonial rule, feared new legislation and colonisation’s impact on customs.
Developments
1822-29: Ramji led 500-600 rebels, including Kolis like Govind Rao Kheri, who lost jobs under British rule. They attacked moneylenders in Akola Hills and destroyed their account books.
1857: Kolis rebelled in September, plundering Company territories for two months. Lack of expected support led many to withdraw, and the British easily defeated the rest
RAMOSE UPRISING
Ramosis, an aboriginal community in the Western Ghats (Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh), once served in the lower ranks of the Maratha army.
Leader
- In 1822, Chittur Singh of Satara led a Ramosi uprising, plundering Satara.
- In 1826, Ramosis around Poona revolted under Umaji Naik and Bapu Trimbakji Sawant.
Causes: Uprisings resulted from the annexation and deposition of popular rulers. After the Peshwa’s defeat in 1818, Ramosis lost their livelihood.
British Response: The British condoned Ramosi crimes, granting them land and recruiting them as hill police.
KOHLAPUR REVOLT
- The Kolhapur and Savantvadi revolts were uprisings that took place in the regions of Kolhapur and Savantvadi, located in present-day Maharashtra, India.
- In Kolhapur, the revolt was triggered by the disbanding of the Gadkari garrisons, which were a hereditary military class stationed in the Maratha forts. This disbandment occurred as part of an administrative reorganization in the Kolhapur state after 1844. The Gadkaris, feeling discontented and marginalized, rose in revolt and occupied the Samangarh and Bhudargarh forts. Their objective was to express their resistance to the administrative changes and assert their rights and privileges as a military class.
- Similarly, in the Savantvadi region, there was simmering discontent among the local population. This discontent eventually led to a revolt in the area. The precise reasons for the revolt in Savantvadi may have varied, but it was likely driven by similar factors of dissatisfaction with the local administration and grievances against the ruling authority.
- In response to the uprisings, the colonial administration took measures to restore order and suppress the rebellions. Martial law was imposed, and the rebels were subjected to harsh punishments. Some of the Sawantwadi rebels were tried for treason and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
- The revolts in Kolhapur and Savantvadi highlight the resistance and opposition that emerged in different parts of India during the colonial period. They reflect the struggles of local populations against changes imposed by colonial authorities and their efforts to protect their social, political, and economic interests. The revolts also demonstrate the use of force and repression by the colonial administration to maintain control over these regions.
