On the Future of Indigenous Traditions - Munin

3.2.2. Historical Benchmarks
In this section I shall be talking of the issue of legitimacy of the Adivasis’ political
association which was our second point for discussion in this series. There were
nearly nine major historical benchmarks in the British India around and after Adivasi
resistances and insurgencies that laid down provisions in the administration that
would acknowledge or recognize the presence of Adivasis in respective areas. These
rules were aimed to have better control over Adivasi land, forests, and resources for
taxation through the landlord system, which was strongly challenged, by Adivasi
insurgency and uprisings. Among these policies and plans for the ‘tribal areas’ were
as following 93 :
1. The Bengal Act, XIII, of 1833: It was the first setup for Jharkhand region to be
accepted as an area outside the operation of general laws. This area was kept under
the agent of governor – general.
2. Cleveland’s Hill Assembly Plan for Rajmahal Hills of Santhal Pargana: the
policy to provide arms to Paharia archers like regular police and transfer the cash of
Paharias to the tribunal of the chief. Mr Cleveland to this end established regular
market here encouraging Adivasis for selling forest produces in the haat or local
market.
3. Wilkinson Act: the agent of Governor, General Captain T. Wilkinson established
an act for the judicial administration in the tribal area of Chota Nagpur. In this act the
traditional role of Munda, Mankis, and other village functionaries were accepted in
the local administration.
4. Act 1855: After the Santhal insurgency the dami-e-koh and other Adivasi districts
were made free from the influence of common rule.
5. Act 1870: Due to strong oppositions by the Adivasis of their land being grabbed by
non-Adivasis, special rules were formulated to save the transfer of Adivasi land. The
93 Ibid., 10-12.
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