Kol Rebellion: Leaders, Causes, and Impact of Tribal Revolt

The Kol Rebellion (1831-1832) was one of the most notable tribal rebellions against British rule in India. Since ancient times, the Kols lived in regions like Singhbhum, Manbhum, Chhotanagpur, and other areas. They had worked hard to make the jungle-covered land cultivable. The Kols freely enjoyed the forest resources and lived independently, following their own judicial system. However, when the British tried to bring them under their control, conditions for rebellion were created, and the Kol Rebellion was organized between 1831 and 1832.

Causes of Kol Rebellion

The Kol Rebellion primarily occurred due to British colonial rule’s occupation and exploitation by local zamindars, moneylenders, and merchants. Other causes behind this rebellion were:

Economic Exploitation

• The Kol Rebellion was primarily started due to the uncontrolled economic exploitation of tribal communities by the British and non-tribal landlords. In 1820, the British government directly took control of the Chhotanagpur region’s administration and introduced a new land system that displaced the Kols from their land.
• For revenue collection, Ijara was given to Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh moneylenders in these areas. The local tribes considered these zamindars and moneylenders as ‘outsiders’ or ‘Dikus’. The high rate of revenue determination, exploitation, and unlimited oppression by these moneylenders in the name of revenue collection agitated the Kols. They were forced to do unpaid labour for government road construction. The government and zamindars increased their hardships by collecting excessive taxes and destroying their traditional livelihoods.

Social Oppression

• The Kols suffered severe oppression from the British and non-tribal settlers. The arrival of outsiders disrupted their way of life. The British often ignored their problems and stood by the non-tribal landlords, which led to discontent and rebellion among the Kols.

Political Oppression

• British colonial rule had weakened the Kols’ traditional political system. The government used corrupt officials and political agents to dispossess them of their land. This political oppression and the intensifying anger and discontent pushed the Kols towards rebellion.

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Kol Rebellion Leader

The notable leaders of the Kol Rebellion were Budhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, Madara Mahato, and Jhindrai Manki. The Kol Rebellion received support from other marginalized groups, including Kharwars and Cheros. These groups, like the Kols, were devastated by British economic and social policies, so they were eager to join the rebellion.

Kol Rebellion Events

• The Kol Rebellion began in late 1831 when Kol tribes rebelled against British and non-tribal landlords under the leadership of Budhu Bhagat, Joa Bhagat, and Jhindrai Manki. The Kol Rebellion initially started as a local protest against the economic and social exploitation of the Kols. Gradually, this rebellion quickly transformed into a full-scale revolt. The introduction of British judicial and revenue laws had disrupted the Kols’ ancient social system. When they were forced to cultivate opium against their will, they strongly objected.
• In protest against this exploitation and oppression, the leaders of the Kol Rebellion spread the message of rebellion from village to village through various methods. Often, they would send the message of rebellion by distributing mango tree branches or war arrows to villages. In 1832, farmers from the Munda and Oraon communities of Ranchi district first declared rebellion. Through a proclamation, they ordered outsiders to leave Chhotanagpur and warned that death was certain if they didn’t comply. When moneylenders fell into their hands, they were sacrificed before their deity. The rebels resorted to extreme cruelty. They considered zamindars, moneylenders, and traders as parts of British rule. The rebels set fire to these people’s homes and killed them brutally. Only blacksmiths and carpenters were spared from their attacks because they were needed to supply weapons and other necessary items. The Kol Rebellion spread throughout Singhbhum, Manbhum, Hazaribagh, and Palamu districts. According to Charles Metcalf, “The main objective of the rebels was to destroy British rule.”

Impact and Reforms After the Kol Rebellion

• As a result of the Kol Rebellion, the government realized that immediate changes were needed in the administrative system of this region. For this purpose, in 1834, a territory called the ‘South-Western Frontier Agency’ was designated for the tribes, and it was decided that British laws would not be enforced there. Separate rules were introduced for this tribal area.
• Village chiefs’ lands were returned from the zamindars, and measures were taken to prevent zamindars from seizing the land again. Additionally, arrangements were made to survey the land here, and accordingly, land revenue and distribution systems were implemented. Despite all this, tribal problems were not solved. Exploitation by zamindars and moneylenders continued. For this reason, tribal rebellions were organized occasionally throughout the nineteenth century.

British Government’s Repressive Measures to Suppress the Kol Rebellion

The British government sent troops from Calcutta, Benares, Sambalpur, and Patna under the leadership of Captain Thomas Wilkinson to suppress the Kol Rebellion. Artillery forces were also deployed to suppress the rebellion. Skirmishes between the army and rebels continued at various locations. After two years of effort, the British forces emerged victorious using modern weapons against bows, arrows, and spears. The British government suppressed this rebellion in 1833 by brutally killing thousands of tribal men, women, and children.

Significance of Kol Rebellion

• The notable historical importance of the Kol Rebellion is that before the beginning of other major rebellions like the Santhal Rebellion of 1855 and Munda Rebellion (1899-1900), this rebellion was one of the first large-scale rebellions organized by tribal communities against British rule.
• Through the rebellion, they demonstrated to the government that all Kol tribal communities faced problems due to British rule and their land settlements, and they wanted an end to British rule. This rebellion highlighted the British government’s failure to identify and address the specific social and economic problems of the Kol tribes.
• This rebellion served as a pathfinder for subsequent tribal rebellions and inspired the next generation of tribal leaders to continue the struggle against colonial exploitation.

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