October - 2015 Odisha Review Tribal Leaders of Odisha and their Contribution in Political and Social Movements Sabitri Sethy INTRODUCTION : culture. Laxman Nayak, the tribal leader of Odisha, the storehouse of natural beauty, Koraput sacrificed his life on the gallows. His the mine of precious metals and land of bumper name would remain alive for ages to come in the crop, was not only famous for her trade and history of Indian freedom struggle. India and commerce, culture, art and architecture but also Odisha in particular is proud of Chakara Bisoi of known for its revolutionary freedom movement, Ganjam and others who fought tooth and nail brave resistance and sacrifices. against the British Raj. Bhima Bhoi, the Kondh genius, was a poet of the first order for his poems It had attracted foreign rulers who that proclaim of self sacrifice and human occupied Odisha; ruled the people of Odisha brotherhood. Thus we are highly indebted to the forcibly; enforced their laws and regulations on tribals of Odisha for their contribution to the them; implemented oppressive revenue system Indian society, politics and culture. and interfered in their traditional privileges and imposed new socio-economic and political order. Although the movements initially began Above activities of the foreign rulers specially on social and religious issues and against the during the regime of the British Government grew oppression of the outsiders, in course of time, they unrest among the masses including the tribals who merged with the national movement and with the were deeply humiliated by the oppressors. non-tax campaign. However, most of the movements were ruthlessly suppressed by the The British Government policies had government. The government forced the tribals disintegrated the tribal society, culture and politics. to adopt British Policies and introduced protective To protect their interest, the tribals launched administration in tribal areas. relentless rebellions and movements against the oppressors under the tribal leaders who In this paper, the role of tribal leaders who challenged the Zamindars; formed alliances had participated in different movements and result against the kings; conspired to overthrow the of these movements are highlighted. British and demonstrated ample courage while Tribal movements against British fighting caste supremacism. Administration : We can never forget the gems of the The tribal movements which started tribals who have glittered our politics, society and against British in 19th and 20th Century, were very 52 Odisha Review October - 2015 significant in the history of modern Odisha. In (1) Dora Besoyee : th the latter half of 19 Century they exhibited their ³Kamala Lochan Dora Besoyee´ active role in exposing socio-economic and popularly known as Dora Besoyee took the political maladies of the Government. They Commanding Charge of ³Kandha Uprising in directly challenged the authorities both on 1836, has left an unforgettable chapter in the economic and political front in 20th Century. They history of modern Odisha. rose into rebellion against the British Policies more He organized the Kandha rebellion in violently than any other community. Ghumsur, geared up that uprising against British Kandha Rebellion under Dora Besoyee and from 1935-1946; committed to save his Chakara Besoyee : motherland from the foreign rule and subjugation The second decade of the 19th Century and urged upon the Govt. for re-establishment of was very significant in the history of modern Rajas administration in their territory. Odisha. Kandhas of the ³Ghumsur Zamindar Under his leadership, the Kandhas, the started a vigorous revolt under the leadership of Paikas and other people of ³Ghumsar´ did ³Dora Besoyee´ and ³Chakara Bisoyee´ in 1835 whatever was possible for them to disturb and which continued till 1866. disrupt the normal functioning of the Government. Annexation of Ghumsar, introduction of The chief aim of this movement was for new administration; depriva of the local feudal restoration of native rule under ³Dhananjaya aristocracy from power and position; activities of Bhanja´ and for protection of their socio-religious Christian missionaries; introduction of new land customs like the ³Meriah Sacrifice´ revenue system; and the arbitrary dissolution of Under his leadership, the Kandha uprising Bhanja ruling family from their estate were the started in September, 1835 and continued till most important cause which influenced the February, 1837. Kandhas to start resistance movement against the Though the British authorities suppressed Govt. It was the first movement in India against this rebellion; arrested Dora Besoyee in 1837 British which continued for long time and in which from Angul; destroyed many Kandha villages; both Rajas and ethnic tribals like the Kandhas Captured most of the rebel leaders and imposed fought together against the foreign rule. It also martial law, they could not suppress it completely. provided the proper background to the rising of He was arrested and sent to ³Ooty´ near Madras. other movements in Odisha, starting from 1885 There he died in 1846 as a state prisoner, leaving and extending upto 1947. behind a glorious legacy of brave and resolute The Ghumsar resistance movements struggle against the British. which started under Dora Besoyee and Chakara It may be said that, he was a unique figure Besoyee not only provided impetus and in the history of modern Odisha. Though born in momentum to the national struggle for a Kandh family and lived in forest, Dora Besoyee Independence, but also equally helped to foster showed his talent and mentality to the British a new kind of Odia nationalism in the region. authority and died as a state prisoner. 53 October - 2015 Odisha Review (2) Chakara Besoyee : leader´, named ³Dayanidhi Dharua´ was another Among the freedom fighters of Odisha , important movement in the history of modern who fought against the British to liberate their Odisha. Dharua tribes rose in rebellion on motherland from the foreign domination, account of their un-willingness to submit any form ³Chakara Besoyee´ of Ghumsar was very of exploitation and started movement against the notable. He took the commanding charge of Raja of Mayurbhanj and British authority. The Kandha rebellion in 1846 after death of his uncle oppressive revenue policy of Raja and Amalas ³Dora Besoyee´ and continued till 1866. He influenced the tribal people to launch rebellion sacrificed his whole life for his motherland and against Raja. did not surrender him near the British till his death Though British Authority and Raja of in 1856. He was the brave son of Ghumsur estate Mayurbhanja suppressed the rebellion and who committed to restore the Bhanja family in captured the leaders, they could not suppress it this estate and fought for the cause of Kandhas completely which continued till 1866. After that of Ghumsur. He was a true successor of Dora the British authority changed their policies towards Besoyee. tribals and made complete settlement of land. His contribution to the Kandha uprising, (4) Ratan Naik : ranked him with Jagabandhu vidyadhar and th Surendra Sai. He championed the cause of the The second half of the 19 Century Kandhas for their ancient rite named ³the witnessed the Bhuinya revolt in Keonjhar under Mariah´. Though he failed in his effort to bring the leadership of ³Ratan Naik´ against the newly socio-economic remedies, still he was a torch appointed King of Keonjhar ³Dhanurjay Bhanja´, bearer. He helped the peasants of Nayagarh in feudal Chief and the British. They were deprived their struggle for political-economic rights from of their political and traditional rights. This 1849 to 1851, acted a saviour of the Savaras of movement began in 1867 and continued till 1868. Paralakhemundi in 1855-56 and fought against Though it was suppressed severely, it showed a British authorities severely for the restoration of path to the future generation who revived the the Bhanja family to power in Ghumsar. movement two decades after. However his long years of resistance Ratan Naik, the great tribal leader of (1846-56) againt the British Government, in the Keonjhar who sacrificed his life for the people of hill tracts, is a landmark in the history or heroic Keonjhar, was captured by the paiks of Pallahara struggle by an individual against the mighty British on August 15, 1868 and brought to Cuttack where power. He fought a selfless war against the British he was hanged by the British authority. He was a authorities, which was very rare in the history of progressive personality who dreamt of an freedom movement of India. He will always be advanced government and wanted all individuals remembered as a great freedom fighter of Odisha in the society to get individual rights keeping aside in the heart of people of Odisha. old traditions. He stood for human rights and against the despotic will of the King and fought (3) Dayanidhi Dharua : against the British super power. He wanted to The Tribal uprising in Mayurbhanj make Keonjhar a democratic state where there tributary mahal in 1857 under the ³Dharua tribal will be no hereditary Kings and the people of 54 Odisha Review October - 2015 Keonjhar will enjoy all fundamental rights under King. He would remain as a great revolutionary a popular government. He was the brave son of leader in the hearts of the people of Odisha. Keonjhar and Odisha, who died for his (6) Laxman Nayak : motherland. Laxman Nayak, popularly known as ³the (5) Dharanidhar Naik : Gandhi of Malkangiri´ was a tribal leader; a The second phase of Keonjhar uprising legendary figure and a celebrated freedom fighter was a unique event in the history of freedom of Odisha and India. Though he was born in a struggle in Odisha. It began in 1890 and lasted ³Bhumiya family´, he took the commanding for five years under the leadership of ³Dharanidhar charge of tribal movement and the Quit India Naik´, a literate young Bhuyan.