Social Movement of Tribes in Assam & North East India: (APSC Assam History Notes)
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Social Movement of Tribes in Assam & North East India
Movements of the frontier tribes (North East India)
The North-Eastern tribal region differed substantially from the rest of the tribal India in two basic aspects, (i) tribals formed an overwhelming majority and so were relatively economically and socially secure and (ii) because of their geo-political situation of living in the vicinity of the international border, this region was not completely integrated with the politico-economic system of colonialism and remained somewhat isolated from the main land.
North-Eastern frontier has witnessed tribal movements of considerable proportion. These movements tended to remain aloof from the freedom struggle often incorporating a demand for political autonomy either within the India or as a separate unit. This was also because geo-political isolation from mainland India and their shared ethnic and cultural affinities with tribesmen across the border.
There was hardly any agrarian forest-based movement as the tribals remained in possession of land and surrounding forests except Tripura. The movements in the north-east were by and large revolutionary or revivalist.
Unlike other part of India, Sanskritision did not became popular in this region due to their relative isolation from the Hindu society and spread of Christian missionary activities.
The movements in the North-East tended to be political and secular and were mainly due to tribal’s deep resent of British penetration in their areas, which started during the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26), Annexed the Jaintia hills in 1832, including the earlier 25 khasi states. Each of these events was followed by revolts.
De-Sanskritisation Movement
In Manipur, a ‘De-Sankritisation’ movement was begun among the Meiteis, some of whom rebelled against the corrupt malpractises of the neo-Vaishnavite Brahmins during the rule of the Churchand Maharaj (1891-1941). They felt that a combination of Brahmins, the Maharaja and the British were spoiling their society, and wanted to return to the nativistic Sanmali cult and movement started in 1939.
In 1946, Raj Kumar Bhubansena formed the state Congress. Hajin Irbot formed the Krishak Sena and the Communist Party.
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