Bhumij Revolt (1832-33): JPSC/ JSSC/ PSC

Bhumij Revolt (1832-33)

Causes and Nature of Revolt:

Dhalbhum, Barabhum, and Patkum Parganas, which were then included in the Midnapore (now West Bengal) district, saw a widespread revolt by the Bhumij tribesmen under the leadership of Ganga Narayan.

Thi revolt was the result of the complaints of the Bhumij against the Badabhum king, police officers, munsifs, salt-daroga, and other dikkus. At the same time, the imposition of the Company's governance system on the local system was also not liked by the people. Thus the widespread despair all around and the persecution of the tribals necessitated this revolt. The tribals had no hope of justice, as the police were corrupt, the court staff looks illegitimate benefits and the revenue officials exploited them. Bribery by petty officers was common. Thus in the backdrop of extortion, deprivation of property and humiliation, and oppression, the Bhumij were left with no option but to revolt.

The revolt began with the brutal murder of Diwan Madhav Singh of Barabhum Pargana on 6th April 1832. The murder was done by Ganganarayan Singh, the cousin of the zamindar of Barabhumi Pargana. The main reason for this rebellion was to disregard the father of Ganganarayan Singh, the rightful owner of the throne of Barabhum, and oust him from the ancestral property.

Key facts of Bhumij Revolt/ Rebellion(for MCQs):

• The Bhumij rebellion started in 1832 AD under the leadership of Ganga Narayan. Its influence remained in the areas of Birbhum and Singhbhum.

• The rebellion was the result of the complaints of the Bhumij against the Birbhum (Badabhum) king, police officers, munsifs, salt inspectors, and other dikkus.

• The reason for the rebellion was the imposition of the Company's system of governance on the local system. At the same time, the discontent arising out of the oppressive rent system of the British was also working behind it.

• The formal beginning of the Bhumij rebellion took place on April 26, 1832, with the killing of Diwan Madhav Singh, and the half-brother of the zamindar of Birbhum Pargana.

• The murder was done by Ganga Narayan Singh. He was the cousin of the zamindar of Birbhum. Madhav Singh was quite infamous as Diwan. He had devastated the people by lying in various types of taxes.

• Ganga Narayan provided unprecedented leadership to the Bhumij against Madhav Singh. After killing Madhav Singh, Ganga Narayan had a collision with the Company's army. The Company's forces were led by Braden and Lieutenant Timmer.

• The Kol and Ho tribes openly supported Ganga Narayan Singh in this rebellion.

• On February 7, 1833, Ganga Narayan Singh was killed while fighting against Thakur Chetan Singh of Kharsawan.

• The Thakur of Kharsawan cut off his head and sent it to the British officer Captain Wilkinson. Captain Wilkinson heaved a sigh of relief at the death of Ganga Narayan Singh.

• After the death of Ganga Narayan Singh, this rebellion fell into disrepair. Although Ganga Narayan Singh was ultimately defeated in this rebellion, it made it clear that there was a need for administrative change in Jungle Mahal.

Like the Kol rebellion, the British were compelled to bring many administrative changes after the Bhumij rebellion;

• Under the Regulation XIII of 1833 AD, extensive changes were made in the system of governance.

• There was a change in the revenue policy and Chotanagpur was accepted as part of the South-West Frontier Agency (SWFA).

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