question_answer

How were the tribals affected by the coming of the British?

Answer:

For the tribals a new situation arose with the advent of colonial rule. Their life was disturbed by the interference of the British. The British interfered for exploiting the natural resources of the forests. The British challenged the traditional land rights of the tribal people. They took over the land which the tribes considered as theirs. They created zamindars who were outsiders. The tribes were reduced to mere tenants and had to pay the high rent to the zamindars. In order to pay the high rent, the tribal people had to borrow money from the local moneylenders who charged very high rates of interest. The poor and illiterate tribal people thus had to sell everything they possessed to pay the interest. Therefore, the moneylenders were seen as evil outsiders and the cause of their misery. Sometimes, when they were unable to pay the high rent, they were evicted from their land and made to work as bonded labourers to earn a livelihood. Also, traders began to come into their villages to purchase forest products at very low prices. These were sold at very high prices in the towns and cities. The tribals were exploited by the traders. Some had no option but to search for work in coal mines, tea plantations etc. They were exploited here also and treated like bonded labour. The tribals thus witnessed the destruction of their livelihood and identity. So these tribal communities participated in many revolts against the British occupation from time to time.