Question

how did the rule of east india company affect tribal lives

Answer 1

During the regime of the East India Company:

• The tribal heads lost much of their authority. Though they were still able to retain the land titles, they had lost their administrative powers
• The tribal chiefs were required to pay tribute to the British, and discipline the tribal groups on behalf of the British
• The British wanted the tribes to settle in one place and not move about, so that it was easier to control them
• The British were uncomfortable with the practice of Jhum cultivation because they wanted to receive revenues and this was not possible without fixed land holdings. Abolition of Jhum made lives of tribes very difficult because they had to now carry on farming in areas with scarce water and dry soil.
• Introduction of the forest laws: with the British declaring all forests state property, free movement, collection of forest products like fruits and timber, and practice of Jhum cultivation had become very difficult for the tribes
• During this time, the trade of forest products increased and the tribes were often confronted with traders offered them cash in lieu of the same. The middlemen paid the tribes little and reaped heavy profits themselves
• Hundreds of tribal people were recruited to work on tea plantations in Assam and in coal manse in Jharkhand. Those who worked here, received pittance of wages and were highly exploited by the owners.