Demographic consequences of non-tribal incursion in Chotanagpur region during colonial period (1850-1950)

Abstract

This paper gives an insight into the process of non-tribal incursion into the tribal area of Chotanagpur region during colonial period (1850-1950) and its concequences on different aspects of tribal life. The region became part of the colonial administration in the year 1765, as a part of subah of Bihar and got integreted with the British metropolitan economy. It witnessed rapid increase in population since 1872, due to continuous in-migration, associated with mining and industrial activities. While the region prospered due to industrialisation and urbanisation, the tribals suffered considerably, mainly because of deforestation, land alienation, unemployment and indebtedness. They were recruited by their non-tribal employers. They were compelled to migrate to distant places like tea gardens of Assam where they had to face a similar kind of exploitation by contractors and planters. As a result of non tribal incursion in the region, the tribes were gradually outnumbered by the non-tribes and this adversly affected the tribal economy as well as their social and political order. Even the ideological base of the Jharkhand movement had to undergo change, as tribals lost their majority in most part of the region.