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Birsa Munda martyrdom day: From Tamil Nadu to Manipur, 5 forgotten revolts against British rule 

Birsa Munda is not a forgotten anti-colonist hero. The international airport in the Jharkhand capital is named after the tribal hero who lost while a captive in British custody after revolting against the oppressive foreign rule on June 9, 1900. However, there are many instances in colonial Indian history were people rebelled against the Britishers but were denied a place they deserve in our memory. On the 121st martyrdom day of Munda, here are five little-discussed instances of local resistance against the British Raj.
Birsa Munda is not a forgotten anti-colonist hero. The international airport in the Jharkhand capital is named after the tribal hero who lost while a captive in British custody after revolting against the oppressive foreign rule on June 9, 1900. However,
Birsa Munda is not a forgotten anti-colonist hero. The international airport in the Jharkhand capital is named after the tribal hero who lost while a captive in British custody after revolting against the oppressive foreign rule on June 9, 1900. However,
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#1 VELLORE SEPOY MUTINY: Similar circumstances to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 (which is referred to as India's first war of independence) led to the revolt of Indian soldiers at Tamil Nadu's Vellore Fort in 1806. The uprisal which was quickly suppressed by British reinforcements involved the killing of around 800 natives, mostly soldiers in the British-India Army, who had neutralised about 200 white men by then. A new rule banning Indian Sepoys from donning beards and ash on forehead offended both Muslims and Hindus alike. Rubbing salt in the wound, a newly introduced neck to heart turnscrew was Christian cross in shape. (Photo | EPS)
#1 VELLORE SEPOY MUTINY: Similar circumstances to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 (which is referred to as India's first war of independence) led to the revolt of Indian soldiers at Tamil Nadu's Vellore Fort in 1806. The uprisal which was quickly suppressed by British reinforcements involved the killing of around 800 natives, mostly soldiers in the British-India Army, who had neutralised about 200 white men by then. A new rule banning Indian Sepoys from donning beards and ash on forehead offended both Muslims and Hindus alike. Rubbing salt in the wound, a newly introduced neck to heart turnscrew was Christian cross in shape. (Photo | EPS)
On the early hours of 10 July, the Sepoys eliminated around 200 British men including the Fort's commander Col John Fancourt and raised the flag of Tipu Sultan. British forces from Arcot rushed to the spot with advanced weaponry and ended the resistance in a matter of hours. Some who had fled with loots rather than defending the fort was later tracked down while 19 perpetrators were identified and were either hanged or blown from cannon's mouth. (Photo | EPS)
On the early hours of 10 July, the Sepoys eliminated around 200 British men including the Fort's commander Col John Fancourt and raised the flag of Tipu Sultan. British forces from Arcot rushed to the spot with advanced weaponry and ended the resistance in a matter of hours. Some who had fled with loots rather than defending the fort was later tracked down while 19 perpetrators were identified and were either hanged or blown from cannon's mouth. (Photo | EPS)
#2 THE KUKI REBELLION: Also known as the 'Zou Gaal', five Kuki tribal chieftains joined forces against the colonialists in 1917 and valiantly fought for two years before being overrun by the greatly superior enemy. Maharaja of Manipur promised England to recruit 2,000 non-combatants to aid the empire's World War efforts. Already infuriated by British efforts that stopped their periodic raids following the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, the Kukis under chief Tintong decided enough is enough and declared war. (Photo | ANI)
#2 THE KUKI REBELLION: Also known as the 'Zou Gaal', five Kuki tribal chieftains joined forces against the colonialists in 1917 and valiantly fought for two years before being overrun by the greatly superior enemy. Maharaja of Manipur promised England to recruit 2,000 non-combatants to aid the empire's World War efforts. Already infuriated by British efforts that stopped their periodic raids following the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, the Kukis under chief Tintong decided enough is enough and declared war. (Photo | ANI)
Interestingly, the Assam Rifles were formed around this time and they were sent to scramble the rebels along with the Burmese military police. However, the British Indian Army soon had to take over as the Kuki warriors were brave and brilliant at the same time. Pitched battles and guerilla skirmishes continued for two years until almost all tribal leaders were sent to exile and Kukis was listed among the martial tribes. (Photo | Twitter @jang_taithul)
Interestingly, the Assam Rifles were formed around this time and they were sent to scramble the rebels along with the Burmese military police. However, the British Indian Army soon had to take over as the Kuki warriors were brave and brilliant at the same time. Pitched battles and guerilla skirmishes continued for two years until almost all tribal leaders were sent to exile and Kukis was listed among the martial tribes. (Photo | Twitter @jang_taithul)
#3 SANTHAL REBELLION: Two years before the Sepoy Revolt began, the Santhal tribals under the leadership of four siblings revolted against the oppressive Permanent Settlement Act of 1793, that made them indebted to the greedy Zamindars for generations. The Santhals were among the oldest inhabitants of the Bengal Presidency (modern-day Jharkhand) whose lives were tarnished by heavy taxes and aggressive administrative upgrades under the British Raj. (Photo | Twitter@Peoples_Movemnt)
#3 SANTHAL REBELLION: Two years before the Sepoy Revolt began, the Santhal tribals under the leadership of four siblings revolted against the oppressive Permanent Settlement Act of 1793, that made them indebted to the greedy Zamindars for generations. The Santhals were among the oldest inhabitants of the Bengal Presidency (modern-day Jharkhand) whose lives were tarnished by heavy taxes and aggressive administrative upgrades under the British Raj. (Photo | Twitter@Peoples_Movemnt)
Armed by sticks and bows, they revolted in large number and marched towards Calcutta demanding autonomy and land rights before halted by British cannons. It is estimated that over a 15,000 were killed by the British troops to suppress the rebellion including the Murmu brothers- the tribal leaders. Elephants were used to destroy tens of Santhal villages in revenge. The Europeans learnt their lesson and 'tried' to better the existing laws, historians state. (Photo | Twitter@__Interfaith__)
Armed by sticks and bows, they revolted in large number and marched towards Calcutta demanding autonomy and land rights before halted by British cannons. It is estimated that over a 15,000 were killed by the British troops to suppress the rebellion including the Murmu brothers- the tribal leaders. Elephants were used to destroy tens of Santhal villages in revenge. The Europeans learnt their lesson and 'tried' to better the existing laws, historians state. (Photo | Twitter@__Interfaith__)
#4 RAMPA REBELLIONS: Can you imagine the British decapitating a man and carrying around his head in carbolic oil to dispel myths surrounding the local warrior? Such was the impact of the third Rampa rebellion that the colonisers carried around the severed head of Karam Tammanna Dora, who led the second and third Rampa rebellions in 1857-58 and 1861-62 respectively, to prove that he isn't the same man who led the first uprising that lasted nine years starting in 1839. The movement was a result of the British decision to suppress the Mughal-era village headman system with the newly introduced 'Munasabdars'. (Photo | Twitter)
#4 RAMPA REBELLIONS: Can you imagine the British decapitating a man and carrying around his head in carbolic oil to dispel myths surrounding the local warrior? Such was the impact of the third Rampa rebellion that the colonisers carried around the severed head of Karam Tammanna Dora, who led the second and third Rampa rebellions in 1857-58 and 1861-62 respectively, to prove that he isn't the same man who led the first uprising that lasted nine years starting in 1839. The movement was a result of the British decision to suppress the Mughal-era village headman system with the newly introduced 'Munasabdars'. (Photo | Twitter)
Agitated, the first Karam Tammanna Dora who was a village headman or 'Muttadar' in Bandapalli (modern-day Andhra Pradesh) revolted. He was never captured until he disappeared in 1848 before killing scores of policemen along with his guerrilla force. The second Dora, who was more fearsome than his predecessor raided police stations and ambushed patrols. He was popularly called the 'Raja of Malkangiri' before he was caught and executed on July 25, 1880. Alluri Sita Rama Raju is also associated with the Rampa rebellion. (Photo | EPS)
Agitated, the first Karam Tammanna Dora who was a village headman or 'Muttadar' in Bandapalli (modern-day Andhra Pradesh) revolted. He was never captured until he disappeared in 1848 before killing scores of policemen along with his guerrilla force. The second Dora, who was more fearsome than his predecessor raided police stations and ambushed patrols. He was popularly called the 'Raja of Malkangiri' before he was caught and executed on July 25, 1880. Alluri Sita Rama Raju is also associated with the Rampa rebellion. (Photo | EPS)
#5 SANNYASI REBELLION: Recorded by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his book 'Anandmmath', the 18th-century rebellion against the English East India Company was fought under the leadership of fakirs and sanyasis by peasants, traders and zamindars of Bengal who were heavily taxed by the English. The British taxed the locals heavily despite the great famine of 1770 that eradicated one-third of the population. People were begging, selling women, eating strays and grass to avoid starvation by death. But the Britishers were unmoved. (Photo | Twitter @EmmanuelAmber)
#5 SANNYASI REBELLION: Recorded by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his book 'Anandmmath', the 18th-century rebellion against the English East India Company was fought under the leadership of fakirs and sanyasis by peasants, traders and zamindars of Bengal who were heavily taxed by the English. The British taxed the locals heavily despite the great famine of 1770 that eradicated one-third of the population. People were begging, selling women, eating strays and grass to avoid starvation by death. But the Britishers were unmoved. (Photo | Twitter @EmmanuelAmber)
The wandering sannyasis were also affected as the tradition of them receiving their religious taxes from shrines of Bengal was affected as nobody had any money to gift them due to the heavy English duties and famine. When the Company troops tried to stop the fakirs and saints from entering Bengal, clashes erupted with the government troops having to flee at several times. The movement that started in the latter half of the 18th century went on till the break of the next century until the last recorded event in 1802. (Photo | Twitter)
The wandering sannyasis were also affected as the tradition of them receiving their religious taxes from shrines of Bengal was affected as nobody had any money to gift them due to the heavy English duties and famine. When the Company troops tried to stop the fakirs and saints from entering Bengal, clashes erupted with the government troops having to flee at several times. The movement that started in the latter half of the 18th century went on till the break of the next century until the last recorded event in 1802. (Photo | Twitter)
india
freedom struggle
Birsa Munda
British rule
Revolt
Independence struggle
English East India Company

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