SANYASI REBELLION, KHURDA REBELLION
SANTAL REBELLION
SANYASI REBELLION
CAUSES OF THE REBELLION
There are various reasons behind the outbreak of this rebellion. Amongst them religious, economic and administrative causes are the prominent ones.
Religious Cause - Sanyasi generally means a person who has renounced the world for sake of a spiritual life. But the sanyasis who participated in this rebellion were very much worldly persons. They were a wandering people no doubt but were neither unconcerned with worldly matters nor well-versed in the scriptures. The British considered them as 'erratic beggars', religious, vagrants' and 'trading pilgrims'. They were generally Dasanami Sanyasis who were commonly known as Gossains. The fakirs connected with the rebellion were poor men belonging to Madariya group of Sufi Silsila. They were the followers of Syed Budiuddin. These sanyasis and fakirs used to go on pilgrimage to various temples, mosques and darghas. They needed money to meet their expenses during these journeys. So they used to collect this amount from the zamindars and rich people of the locality in the form of charity, This had become a tradition in Bengal and Bihar. Of course, sometimes the zamindars and rich people had to give this donation reluctantly and sometimes it was collected forcibly. Some of the amount thus collected was donated to the mathas, temples and darghas. Fairs and festivals in these religious institutions were also organised with this money.
When the British rule was established in Bengal and Bihar many restrictions were imposed on this type of collection and pilgrimage. This created a lot of resentment among the sanyasis and fakirs. The company govermment used to consider these sanyasis and fakirs thugs and plunderers. So it was not in support of giving them any financial assistance. Due to restriction on the collection of donation many temples, mathas and mosques were closed. This hurt the religious sentiments of the sanyasis and fakirs. So they became anti-British.
Economic Cause-After the British occupation of Bengal, there was exorbitant increase in the demand for land revenue. The landonwners had to pay huge amount as revenue. As a result their condition became miserable. Further the Bengal famine of 1770 made the situation worse. There was sharp drop in agricultural production. So the landowners could not donate the amount as they used to donate earlier to the fakirs and sanyasis. This had a direct impact on the sanyasis and fakirs. They could not undertake pilgrimage. In 1793 with the introduction of Permanent Settlement, the zamindars were given the responsibility of collection of land revenue. According to the settlement, the zamindars had to deposit the revenue by the sun-set of a particular day. If they failed their land was confiscated as per the Sun-Set Law. As a result, many zamindars lost their land. These displaced zamindars or landlords supported and even joined the rebellion.
Administrative Cause- With the establishment of British rule in Bengal, the Nawab's army was disbanded. These soldiers became jobless. On the other hand the company did not provide them with any alternative employment. Hence, they became hostile to the British, Being jobless their financial condition became miserable. So many of them joined this rebellion. Similarly peasants, artisans and landless labourers who were suffering due to the British policies joined this rebellion and helped the rebels in various ways.
The ex-army men provided leadership to the rebellion. Peasants provided social base while the sanyasis and fakirs provided a religious fervour to the struggle.
The rebels looted and plundered the government treasuries and the company's factories, In 1771, around 150 sanyasis were mercilessly killed by the British army. This triggered rebellion which reached its climax in late 1770s. These sanyasis and fakirs were ruthlessly suppressed during the period of Warren Hastings. The rebels became more violent when the government started ruthless suppression of the rebellion. They occupied company's Dacca center. Later on, they continued their attack in Patna, Hoogly, Kutchvihar, Saran etc. They even killed some British officials and caused acute chaos and anarchy. The leaders of the fakirs were Majanun Shah, Musa Shah and Chirag Shah. They used to travel from place to pláce to inspire the people to continue the struggle. Chirag Shah led the fakirs to launch attack on British establishments. The revolt was led by two women leaders namely Bhavini Pathak and Devi Chaudhurani. They extended all types of help to the rebels.
Gradually internal dissensions weakened the rebellion. Finally, the rebellion which had lasted for half a century was suppressed by the British. This was one of the important rebellions which had occurred in the pre-mutiny era. Although it was organised by the sanyasis and fakirs of bengal and Bihar, it saw active participation of displaced zamindars, peasants, artisans and disbanded armies of the Nawabs.
KHURDA REBELLION
CAUSES OF THE REBELLION
Administrative Cause: When Raja Mukundadev abdicated the throne of Khurda in1805 Major Fletcher took over the administration. Local people failed to understand British rules and regulations as all these were written in Persian and Bengali. As a result, the Bengali officers started exploiting the local people taking advantage of their ignorance. The Odias faced a lot of difficulties specially in issues relating to revenue collection, land records and court cases. British legal system was too complex to be understood by the common people of Odisha. Consequently, the people became restless and wanted to get rid of this type of administration.
Land-Revenue Policy: Major Fletcher had made land settlement in Khurda. As per the new settlement, the hereditary lands enjoyed by the Paiks were withdrawn and made government land. The Paiks became landless labourers as they lost the lands, which they used to enjoy on hereditary basis. When Permanent Settlement was introduced many zamindars lost their lands due to the application of Sunset Law as they failed to deposit the revenue on the fixed day. The British did not give-remission.of taxes even during naturals calamities. The new landlords started collecting revenue according to their swcet will. As a result, the economic condition of the peasants became miserable. It created a lot of popular discontentment.
Salt Law: The monopoly of the British on manufacture and sale of salt made the Odias all the more anti British. The malangis who used to prepare salt since a long time had to suffer a lot because preparation of salt from seawater was their main occupation. On the other hand, people had to buy British salt at a higher rate. The British government used to punish those people who tricd to prepare salt. The high price of salt along with its black marketing created a lot of difficulties for the common people. So the British Salt Policy added to the popular displeasure and made the people anti-British.
New Currency Policy: Kauri Currency was prevalent in Odisha during Maratha rule. Scarcity of kauri was felt during British rule. The British government introduced silver coin- instead of kauri currency. The people had no knowledge about the exchange value of the new coins. So the calçulation of revenue could not be done properly. The Bengali amlas started exploiting the Odias taking advantage of this introduction of new currency. Again replacement of kauri currency created a lot of problems for the common people of Odisha.
Discontentment of Buxi Jagabandhu:
Buxi Jagabandhu was the General of the Raja of Khurda, He had received Rodang, Lembhai, Sarai and Chabiskud parganas as jagirs. He had Rodang fort as well, All these were tax-free lands. Major Flecher removed Buxi from Rodang fort. The other four parganas were also taken away from him through a conspiracy. Buxi even complained about this to the commissioner Richardson. But Buxi failed to prove his legal right in the court. So he was deprived of all his landed estates. Consequently, his financial condition became miserable. He was even charged with a false allegation that he had relation with the Pindaris. The darogah of Khurda tried to capture him on this misinformation. Buxi was very much annoyed with this treachery and false allegations.
Course of the Rebellion: Paik Rebellion began in Khurda on 29 March 1817. Around 400 Kandha Chohars from Ghumusar reached Khurda. The Paiks and Dalbeheras under Buxi Jagabandhu joined with the Kandha Chohars. They attacked and plundered the police station, government offices in Banpur. Hundreds of Paiks joined the rebels on the way. They set fire to the government buildings. Within short time, the fire of revolt spread to the entire area of Khurda and nearby. The British government sent Lieutenant Prideaure, Faris and Edward Impey to suppress the rebels. Faris was killed by the Paiks.
Then the rebels proceeded to Puri and sacked many public buildings and setting fire to the quarters of the darogah and other officials. But the rebels had to suffer set back due to the counterattack by the police. The common people including the pandas or priests of Puri also supported the rebels. The rebels requested the Raja of Khurda to take up the leadership. But he declined due to fear of the British. The Paiks of Rupsa, Kujang and Gop joined hands with the rebels. Even the zamindars of Marichpur, Harishpur and Golara gave full support to the rebels. Some malangis also joined the rebellion.
The rebels were forced to withdraw from Puri due to the attack of Captain Le Fevere. Five companies of soldiers were brought from Medinipur to suppress the rebellion. Major General Matindel was appointed as the military commissioner for the purpose. Martial law was imposed on Khurda, Puri and Gop which were the main centers of the rebellion. The British government succeeded in suppressions the rebellion. But Buxi escaped to the forest along with his followers. The government failed to arrest him for long seven years. As the rebels again got engaged in dacoity and murder, the commissioner Robert Keg announced that they would be pardoned it they surrendered voluntarily. Consequent upon this announcement,many rebels surrendered at last Buxi Jagabandhu surrendered. At 25 May 1825 after a long period of self-exile. He was kept under home arrest at Cuttack till his death in 1829.
EFFECTS
The British government formed a two members committee consisting of Major General Matindel and Ewar to probe into the causes of popular discontentment and suggest remedial measures. The committee highlighted on economic exploitation and administrative inefficieney as the main causes of the rebellion. Accordingly, the government undertook certain measures.
Change in Administration : Exclusion of Odias from government services was one of the major factors of popular discontentment. So on the recommendation of the commiltee, Odias were given opportunities for joining government jobs. The discrepancy between the ruler and the ruled was reduced to some extent.
Change in Judicial Department : Certain changes were introduced in the judicial administration as well. As Persian was the court language it was not understood by the Odias. So the Judicial magistrates were instructed to visit the villages along with Odia amlas to settle the disputes and other cases at the rural level.
New Salt Policy : The British government adopted a new salt policy by which sufficient amount of salt was supplied for the people. Consequently, the price of salt was reduced which was beneficial for the people.
Change in revenue collection : Amount of revenue from the zamindars were reduced. The zamindars who failed to pay the amount were replaced by the British government.
Recognition to Raja of Puri : After the death of Raja Mukundadev II his son Ramachandradev III was granted the permission to reside in the royal palace at Puri. He was entitled to an annual allowance of twenty four thousand rupees and entrusted with the administration of Jagannath temple of Puri.
The British government introduced various changes in the administration in Odisha in the Post-Paik Rebellion period. It adopted many reforms which bought the administration closer to the people.
SANTAL REBELLION
SANTAL REBELLION
Santal rebellion commonly known as Santal Hool was one of the tribal rebellions which was organised against the British colonial authority and the zamindari system. The sandals raised their swords against the British in 1855. Although the British government suppressed it, the rebellion brought a great change in the attitude of the British towards the problems of the tribals in general and santals in particular.
The Santal tribe is one of the earliest tribes in India. Their main language is Santhali. They are peace-loving people. Agriculture is their main occupation. Apart from agriculture, Santal people are well-versed in the art of hunting. They worship their land as God or Thakur from the earliest times.
After the establishment of East India Company's rule, the Santals faced some major problems in their simple life style. At first they had settled in Chhotnagpur hills. By the end of 18th century, the Santals began moving towards the forests around the Rajmahal hills. With the imposition of Permanent Settlement by Govemor General Lord Cornwallis in 1793, the entire region came under the control of the company. East India Company empowered the mahajans and zamindars to collect land revenue. They also imposed various illegal taxes. All this affected the freedom-loving Santals.
In 1832, the government demarcated an area in Damin-i-koh for the Santals with the intention of reclaiming the forest region. It extended from the Ganges on the north to Brahmani river in the south. The whole area was full of natural forests. The area was also fertile as it was on the river valley. The Santals established their settlement after clearing the forests. The whole area extended up to 1366.01 square miles. Around S500 square miles were covered by forest. Out of this, 254 square miles were cleared by the Santals and they established their settlement. The Santal settlement expanded rapidly. From 40 Santal villages in 1838, the number had increased to 1,473 villages in 1851 and the population was 82795. When the Santals settled here the Paharis resisted but ultimately they were forced to withdraw deep into the forests. The Santals immigrated in large numbers into Damin-i-koh from Cuttack, Dhalbhum, Manbhum, Barabhum, Chhotnagpur etc.
There were two reasons behind the settlement of the Santals in this area. Firstly, the Company wanted to gain maximum benefit from this area in order to increase their revenue. Secondly, the Christian Missionaries had entered this territory in order to convert the Santals to Christianity. Since there was no strong religious belief among the Santals, the British thought that it would be easier to convert by alluring them through various means. Gradually Zamindars, Mahajans and Foreigners entered this area and created disturbances in the peaceful life of the Santals.
CAUSES OF THE REBELLION
Discontentment among the Santals increased due to various causes.
Economic Exploitation - The economic exploitation of the mahajans or money lenders was one of the causes of the rebellion. These mahajans gave the Santals money as Dam with high interest. They used to exploit the Santals taking advantage of their simplicity and innocence. Once these people borrowed money from the mahajan, they had little chance of escape. The shrewd money lenders used to take thumb impression of these illiterate people on plain paper and were able to take away their land and cattle. On the other hand, the British legal procedure was complex. It was just not possible for the Santals to get justice from the law courts against the powerful money-lenders. As a result, for generations together these Santals used to work as bonded labourers of these mahajans as they could not repay the debt. By loosing their land and freedom, the Santals were very much annoyed with the money lenders or mahajans.
The Santals also raised their voice against the indigo planters. The British planters forced the Santals to cultivate indigo. But they were reluctant to cultivate indigo as it used to affect the fertility of the soil. Moreover, they were subjected to harassment by the British officers. So they became hostile to the British.
Administrative Cause - British administrative system was very complex. The innocent Santals were unable to understand this complex system, The govemment officials, police and amlas started exploiting the Santals taking advantage of their ignorance. So they were totally dissatisfied with the British administrative system. When the British introduced railway lines in these areas, it created disturbance in the life style of the Santals. The natural beauty was gradually destroyed which made Santals unhappy. Moreover, the railway officers started molesting the innocent Santal women which hurt the self-esteem of the Santals.
The Santal rebellion began in 1855 because of the cumulative grievances of the people. The mahajans were the prime targets of the Santals. They started plundering the mahajans. The leadership of the rebellion was taken by four brothers called Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav. They were the sons of Chulu Santal of Bhagonaditi village. It is believed Ihát Sidhu and Kanhu had vision of the Thakur or God several times. He gave them a book. As per the instruction of the Thakur the Santals were to banish the dikus or outsiders, manajans and sahibs from their areas. This message spread over the entire Santal territory. On 30 June, 1855 Sidhu and Kanhu mobilised ten thousand Santals and declared a rebellion against British people. The Santals declared that their God had directed them to collect and pay revenue to the state. The rate of interest upon loans was to be one paise per rupee each Scar. The Santals were further determined to slaughter at once all the mahajans and daroghas, to banish the traders and zamindars and all rich Bengalis from their region. They soon plundered the Barhait Bazar, the place of the rich mahajans and then marched in different directions with bows, arrows, axes, swords committing plunder and atrocities on their way. For fear of life, the Bengalis and non-Santal inhabitants took to their heels leaving their homes behind.
Disturbances spread rapidly to other areas like Rajmahal, Pakaur, Colgong, Purnea, Birbhum and Mahespur etc. The Santals fought against the Britishers with their traditional arms in front of cannons and guns. They took to guerilla fighting. To suppress the Santal rebellion the British army was put under the command of Brigedir General Lyocd. Through a public declaration the Santals were warned to surrender or face severe punishment. The government even imposed martial law. Gradually the rebellion slackened. The Santal rebellion opened a new chapter in the history of Bengal and Bihar. The British government realised the necessity of adopting prompt measures to bring the Santali areas under an effective administrative control and to redress their grievances. The Act XXX VIII of 1855 formed the Santal areas into a separate non-regulation district to be known as the Santal Pargana. The district was placed under the Commissioner of Bhagalpur.
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