Resistance Against the Company Raj: With Special Reference to Bihar and Jharkhand (1757–1856)

Abstract

The British conquest of India was not akin to venividi vici dictum. Rather, it was a slow and gruelling expansion marked by resistance to it from cross-sections of individuals and social groups in Bihar and Jharkhand. The resistance of Fateh Shahi and Tilka Manjhi during early colonial rule were spontaneous in nature and were individual-centric. In contrast, the Kol and Santhal rebellions of mid-nineteenth century were organised group activity and also had an alternative vision regarding the socio-economic and political order to be created in the aftermath of the rebellion. The present article tries to delineate the variations in the nature, organisational structure and vision of the series of the resistance movements prior to 1857.