Tribe-British Relations in India: Revisiting Text, Perspective and Approach

Description

This book discusses the colonial history of Tribe-British relations in India. It analyses colonial literature, as well as cultural and relational issues of pre-literate communities. It interrogates disciplinary epistemology through multidisciplinary engagement. It presents the temporal and spatial dimensions of tribal studies. The chapters critically examine colonial ideology and administration and civilization of tribes of India. Each paper introduces a unique context of Tribe-British interactions and provides an innovative approach, theoretical foundation, analytical tool and methodological insights in the emerging discipline of tribal studies. The book is of interest to researchers and scholars engaged in topics related to tribes. Acknowledgements About the Volume Important Keywords Contents Editor and Contributors Abbreviations List of Figures List of Map List of Tables 1 Revisiting Tribe–British Relations: Tribal Worldview and Colonial Ideology at Perspective Introduction Organisation of the Book Mindscape Revisiting Tribe–British Relations Recreating Identity References Part I Mindscape 2 Engaging with Tribes of Eastern Kumaun in Colonial Era Land and the People Opening up of the Himalayas: Initial Forays Era of Explorations: Saga of Pundit Nain Singh Rawat Mission Divine Conclusion References 3 The Journey from Isolation to Interaction During British Raj: Case of Natives in Andaman Introduction Interest in Andaman Between and Betwixt Settlements Thinking for the Resettlement Resistance and Repression Pacification Eye on Onges and Jarawas Hostility by Jarawa Andaman Home-Civilising Den Civilising Cost: Disease and Death Conclusion References 4 Indira Goswami’s The Bronze Sword of Thengphakhari Tehsildar: A Critique of the British Colonialism and Resistance Against It Introduction Thengphakhari and History Thengphakhari—A Colonial Mimic Thengphakhari: Subaltern Silence and Resistance Conclusion References 5 Institutionalisation of Dobhasi: The British Strategy for the Naga Tribes in North-East India The Naga Under British Administration Pre-colonial Village Governance Among the Nagas Colonial Remnants: The Dobhasi Dobhasi: Powers and Functions Dobhasi: Colonial Agents or Native Representatives Resisting Conversion Custodians of Customary Law? Coexistence of Dobhasi and Gaonbura Ethics and the Institution of Dobhasi Concluding Remarks References 6 Myth and Reality of Colonial Conciliation: British Officials and Relations with Paharias (1772–1785) Introduction East India Company's Early Official Approach to Paharias (1772–1785) Augustus Cleveland (1779–1784) Reality Behind Colonial Conciliation Colonial Appreciation of Performances of Early Officials of East India Company Analysing the Performances of Early British Officials of East India Company’s Rule References 7 Revisiting J. P. Mills’ Portrayal of Changki Ao Naga Introduction Au contraire to Konyak Blood Theory The Concept Narokhüm Missed Out Did Changki Had a Log Drum? Thick Description of Tsüngba Clans Post J. P. Mills’ Book References 8 The Naga Mind: Colonial Encounter and Religion Introduction Raiders to Taxpayers Administration to Evangelisation Colonising the Naga Mind Religion (Christianity) and Its Impact Discussion Conclusion References Part II Revisiting Tribe-British Relations 9 Revisiting Naga Resistance to British Colonialism: A Study of A Naga Village Remembered and Related Historical Texts References 10 The Raz, the Rajas and the Bhuiyans: Revisiting the Kenonjhar Rebellion of 1867 and Its Impact on Bonai Introduction (I) (II) (III) Conclusion References 11 A Critique of Colonial Interpretation of the Santal Insurrection of 1855–1856 Introduction Glimpses of the Santal Insurrection 1855–1856 Origin, Causes and Upsurge of the Armed Struggle Colonial Presentation References 12 Participation of Tribes of Nabarangpur District of Odisha in Freedom Movement Introduction Nabarangpur-A Brief Profile Tribal Participation in Freedom Movement Papadahandi Firing Role of Tribal Women Conclusion References 13 Revisiting Kol Revolt (1831–32) References 14 Bhils of Southern Rajputana During British Raj Introduction Era of Contention Between British Paramountcy and Bhils Confrontation with British Power Conclusion References 15 Against the British: Kandha Leadership in Ghumsar Uprising (1753–1856) Section I Ghumsar, Kandhas and King’s Resistance to Colonial Power (1753–1835) Section-II Resistance Under the Leadership of Dora Bissoyi Resistance Under the Leadership of Chakara Bissoyi References 16 Colonisation of Manipur: Cause, Process, Native Resentment and Resistance Introduction British Infiltration Manipur’s History and Its People Process of State Formation Manipur as Buffer State British Consolidation of Power in the State Anti-British Reactions Anti-Pothang Movement Anglo-Kuki War Naga Raj Movement Conclusion References Part III Recreating Identity 17 Rulers, Criminals and Denotified Tribe: A Historical Journey of the Meenas Ruler to Royal Entourage From Ruler—Warrior to Criminalisation Reformatory Efforts for Abolishment of the Criminal Tribe Act Towards Denotified Identity Conclusion References 18 Colonial Construct of Criminal Tribes—Piramalai Kallar and Narikoravar of Tamil Nadu Criminal Construction—Determinants Liberalism and Colonial Ethnography Ethnographic Criminal Investigation Rebels as Criminals Positivism and Colonial Anthropometry Colonial Revenue Rising Policies Culmination of Victorian Morality and Brahmanical Morality Criminal Tribes Act—Criminal Declaration References 19 Colonial Administration in Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas of Undivided Assam with Special Reference to Lushai Hills Introduction Historical Background of Colonial Administration in Undivided Assam Annexation of Lushai Hills by British Colonialism Provision of Excluded and Partially Excluded Area by the Government of India Act of 1935 Impact of Excluded and Partially Excluded Area Provision in Lushai Hills Conclusion References 20 Colonial Construction of an Imaginary Line: Revisiting the Inner Line Regulation in Mizoram Introduction Purposes of the Regulation Inner Line Regulation in Mizoram The Debate of Inner Line Permit Observation References 21 The Coming of the British and Its Impact on the Local Administration in the Khasi Hills The Khasi Hills Election to the Syiemship The Role of the Chief or Syiem The British Impact Impact Over the Local Administrative Set-Up Conclusion References 22 ‘Agency’ and Nature of Policy-Driven Administration in Tribal Areas of Colonial Andhra Introduction Evolution of Agency Administration Formulation of Forest Polices Impact of the Forest Polices Conclusion References Glossary