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Against the British: Kandha Leadership in Ghumsar Uprising (1753–1856)

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Tribe-British Relations in India

Abstract

It is a common understanding that the tribes revolted against outsiders and the British administration as a protest to exploitation and to preserve their rights over land and forest resources. But there were also great revolts against the British for reasons other than protection of tribal land and forests; and these revolts are not widely covered in the history of India’s resistant movement to colonial power. One such least known revolt is Ghumsar uprising (1753–1856), also known as Kandha rebellion. In this uprising, the Kandhas fought against the British for more than a century under different leaders. This paper makes an attempt to present the histography of the uprising, describe its causes and course, examine participation of the Kandhas and discuss the role of Kandha leaders.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The tribe of reference in this paper is popularly known as Kandha according to Odia phonetic. However, in colonial and other writings, it is spelt as Khond, Khand, Kandha, Kandh and Kondh. The people call themselves Kui, and their language is also called Kvi.

  2. 2.

    The name Ghumsar is differently spelt as Gumsar, Ghumsar, Ghoomsar and so on in earlier writings.

  3. 3.

    Bissoyi or Bisoi is an army rank, a leader of village or community or social group; Dora Bissoyi is the chief of Bissoyis. At present, it has become the family surname of many Khandayats of Banpur, Khurdha, Ganjam (not Ganjam district, but a Block/Tehsil in Ganjam district) and Parala Khemundi.

  4. 4.

    The British administrative headquarters at Ghumsar state was named Russellkonda after the name of G.E. Russell who was appointed as Special Commissioner at Ghumsar in 1836. He was also President of the then Board of Revenue. Russellkonda is renamed as Bhanjanagar, roughly the former Ghumsar state, and is a Notified Area Council in Ganjam district. Ghumsar proper at present is a village by the name of Barapali, six kilometres away from the headquarters of Bhanjanagar.

  5. 5.

    Sircar was an English spelling of Sarkar used by Mughal to denote a subdivision of a Suba, i.e. province. Chicacole is present Srikakulam.

  6. 6.

    Northern Circars was a division of Madras Presidency of the British. It consisted of five Circars, namely Chicacole (Srikakulam), Rajahmundry, Ellore, Kondapalli and Guntur.

  7. 7.

    Udayagiri is administratively bifurcated into R. Udayagiri and G. Udayagiri, meaning Ramgiri Udyagir and Ghumsar Udayagir,i respectively. G. Udayagiri falls in Ganjam district.

  8. 8.

    Madras is renamed recently as Chennai.

  9. 9.

    Letter of Edward Cotsford to the President and Governor in Council, Fort St. George, Madras, March 1769, G.D.R.,Vol. 825. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  10. 10.

    Letter of J.A.R. Stevenson to the Board of Revenue, 7 December 1835, Ganjam Records, Vol. 3929. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  11. 11.

    Bhanja dynasty is well known for court and palace intrigues. In such a conspiracy, Raja Strikar (also known as Srikar) Bhanja was disposed in 1800 A.D. and his son Dhananjaya Bhanja was placed in the throne. He was violent in nature and killed his mother for which he was arrested in 1815. From 1815 to 1818, Dora Bissoyi ruled Ghumsar with the help of two others on behalf of a minor girl, whom they disguised as prince. Strikar Bhanja who was living in jungle came back and reported the trick. The British tried to punish Dora Bissoyi and his colleagues, but they managed to escape. In 1821, Strikar Bissoyi was replaced in the throne. As he could not pay revenue regularly, he was disposed and again Dhananjaya Bhanja was restored in 1832. In the mean time, Dora Bissoyi was organising attacks on British. After two years, Dhannjaya Bhanja also could not pay regularly. So in 1834, British force under Sir Henry Taylor occupied Ghumsar. However, the revolt continued and in 1836 George E. Russell was appointed to look after the affairs of Ghumsar (see Das, 1984, pp. 189–191).

  12. 12.

    Report of Collector and Magistrate to Government, 24 February 1817, G.D.R. Vol. 760. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  13. 13.

    See Stevension’s Letter to the Board of Revenue, 7 December 1835. Madras, Revenue Consultations of 1835. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  14. 14.

    See Russell’s Third Report on the Disturbances in Goomsoor, 11 May 1837: 25–27. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  15. 15.

    Secretary, Political Department of Tributary Mahals, 22 February 1836, Vol. January–July 1836, No. 586. OSA, Bhubaneswar; Odisha State Archives.

  16. 16.

    See G.E. Russell’s, First Report on the Disturbances in Ghoomsoor, 12 August 1836: 25. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  17. 17.

    See G.E. Russell’s Third Report on the Disturbances in Ghumsar, 11 May 1837:11–19. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  18. 18.

    See G.E. Russell’s Second Report on Ghumsar, 3 March 1837: 41–42. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  19. 19.

    See G.E. Russell’s Second Report on Ghumsar, 3 March 1837:2–4. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  20. 20.

    G.E. Russell’s Third Report on the Disturbances in Ghoomsoor, 11 May 1837 and Letter of Secretary, Political Department to Superintendent of Tributary Mahals; 2 February 1836, Vol. XII, Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  21. 21.

    See G.E. Russell’s Third Report on the Disturbances in Ghumsar, 11 May 1837:11–19. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  22. 22.

    See G.E. Russell’s Third Report on the Disturbances in Ghumsar, 11 May 1837:43–44. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  23. 23.

    Communication of H. Ricketts, Superintendent, Tributary Mahals to R.D.Manglis, 10 May 1836, Vol. January–July 1836, No. 630. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  24. 24.

    See G.E. Russell’s Second Report on Ghumsar, 3 March 1837, Vol-II. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  25. 25.

    See G.E. Russell’s Second Report on Ghumsar, 3 March 1837:4. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  26. 26.

    Communication of Arzee of Anugul to Gouldsbury, 31 July 1847, B.R.A., Anugul Papers. Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Archives.

  27. 27.

    Communication of Officiating Commissioner to Government, 13 February 1838, Madras Revenue Consultations of 1838. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  28. 28.

    History of the Ganjam Maliahs, Information regarding the Special Assistant Agent’s Division, 1836: 8–9, M.R.O. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  29. 29.

    Letter of S.C. Macpherson to Government of Bengal, 23 December, 1846, Madras Revenue Consultations, February 1847. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  30. 30.

    Communication of R.A. Bannerman to Government, 18 December 1846, Madras Revenue Consultations, January 1847. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives. The local version is that the British created this narrative.

  31. 31.

    Communication of Capt. Dunlop, Commander, Paik Company on deputation in Baud to Gouldsbury, 10 March 1847, B.R.I, No. 8. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  32. 32.

    Communication of Brigadier Major Dyce to Adjutant General of the Army, Fort. St. George, 20.03.1847, B. R. A. No. 8. TNA, Chennai.

  33. 33.

    Communication of Captain Macpherson to Captain Dunlop, 13 March 1847, B.R.A. No. 8, TNA, Chennai.

  34. 34.

    Communication of Brigadier General Dyce to E. Halliday, Secretary Government of Bengal, 23 March 1847, B.R.A, No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  35. 35.

    Communication of Brigadier General Dyce to E. Halliday, Secretary Government of Bengal, 23 March 1847, B.R.A, No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  36. 36.

    Communication of G.H. Bushby, Secretary, Government of India to Brigadier General Dyce, 27 March 1847, B.R.A. No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  37. 37.

    Communication of G.H. Bushby, Secretary, Government of India to Brigadier General Dyce, 27 March 1847, B.R.A. No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  38. 38.

    Communication of G.H. Bushby, Secretary, Government of India to Brigadier General Dyce, 27 March 1847, B.R.A. No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  39. 39.

    Communication of Captain Macpherson to A. J. Mills, Commissioner, Cuttack Division, 27 December 1846. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  40. 40.

    Communication of Captain Dunlop to G. Gouldsbury, 10 March 1847, B.R.A. No. 456; Arzee of the Raja of Anugul to Gouldsbury, 4 March 1847, B.R.A, No. 456. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  41. 41.

    Communication of Under Secretary to Gouldsbury, 15 March 1847, B.R.A, No. 456. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  42. 42.

    Communication of Captain Dunlop to Macpherson, 16 March 1847, B.R.A, No. 11. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  43. 43.

    Communication of Captain Dunlop to Gouldsbury, 14 April 1847, B.R.A. No. 24. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  44. 44.

    Communication of Brigadier Dyce to Gouldsbury, 25 April 1847, B.R.A. No. 756. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  45. 45.

    Communication of G.H. Bushby, Secretary to Government of India to F. Halliday, Secretary, Government of Bengal, 3 July 1847, B.R.A. No. 75. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  46. 46.

    Communication of Gouldsbury to Colonel Campbell, 20 August 1847. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  47. 47.

    Communication of Gouldsbury to F. Halliday, 20 August 1847. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  48. 48.

    Communication of Gouldsbury to F. Halliday, 1 September 1847, B.R.A. No. 1650. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives; Letter of Governor General Lord Dalhousie to President, Board of Control, 8 April 1848. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  49. 49.

    Also see Communication of Gouldsbury to F. Halliday, 1 September 1847, B.R.A. No. 1650. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  50. 50.

    Communication from E.A. Samuells, to Magistrate, 26 June 1854, B.R.A, Vol. 1854–1855, No. 36; to Secretary, Government of Bengal, Political Department, 30 June 1854, B.R.A., Vol. 1854–55, No. 47, TNA, Chennai.

  51. 51.

    Communication from E.A. Samuells to Secretary, Government of Bengal in Judicial Department 30.06.1954, B.R.A. Vol. 1854–1855. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  52. 52.

    It seems that the British administration prepared a well thought out plan to annex Ghumsar by implicating Chakara Bissoyi in the attack of village Toolasinghee in Ghumsar. It should be born in mind that E.A. Samuells first had a different version; and that Chakara Bissoyi revolted against the British. Targeting the village does not fit into his strategy. With all probability, attempt was made to paint him as a villain looting the people to deprive him of public sympathy and to annex the territory to save people of his menace.

  53. 53.

    Communication from E.A. Samuels, Superintendent of Tributary Mahals to Secretary to Government of Bengal, 26 June and 30 June, Board Proceedings, Revenue, 1854. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  54. 54.

    Communication from E.A. Samuells Superintendent of Tributary Mahals to Secretary to Government of Bengal, 1 February 1856, Board Proceedings, Revenue. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives. Patna state corresponds to present Bolangiri district of Odisha. A subdivision of Bolangiri is name as Patnagarh which shares common boundary with Boudh and Khandamal districts.

  55. 55.

    Communication from E.A. Samuells Superintendent of Tributary Mahals to Secretary to Government of Bengal, 1 February 1856, Board Proceedings, Revenue. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  56. 56.

    Communication from E.A. Samuells Superintendent of Tributary Mahals to Commissioner of Chotnagpur, 4 March 1856, Board Proceedings, Revenue. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  57. 57.

    Communication from G. F. Cockbun to Secretary, Government of Bengal, 15 January 1858, B.R.A, Vol. 1857–1860, No. 105. Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Archives; Communication form E.A. Samuells to Commissioner, Chotanagpur, 4 March 1856, B.R.A., Vol. 1855–57, No. 211 and to Secretary, Government of Bengal, Political Department, 24 March 1856, B.R.A., Vol. 1855–57, No. 232. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  58. 58.

    Communication from G. F. Cockbun to Magistrate, Ganjam, 16 October 1856, B.R.A, Vol. 1855–57, No. 138. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  59. 59.

    Communication from G. F. Cockbun to Magistrate, Ganjam, 16 October 1856, B.R.A, Vol. 1855–57, No. 138. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  60. 60.

    See Communication from G. F. Cockbun to Magistrate, Ganjam, 16 October 1856, B.R.A, Vol. 1855–57, No. 138. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  61. 61.

    Communication from G. F. Cockbun to Secretary, to Government of Bengal, 2 March 1857, B.R.A. Vol. 1855–57, No 307. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

  62. 62.

    A zamindari, now located in Singhbhum district of Jharkhand near Chakradharpur.

  63. 63.

    Communication of Government of India to Government of Madras, 19 July, 1845, Madras Revenue Consultations, 1845. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Archives.

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Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement is due to Dr. Pravat Mallick, Associate Professor of History (Rtd., Ispat (Autonomus) College, Rourkela, for his help in editing the original version of the paper.

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  1. Berhampur, Ganjam, 760004, Odisha, India

    Shyama Prasad Mishra

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  1. Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi University, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh, India

    Maguni Charan Behera

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Mishra, S.P. (2021). Against the British: Kandha Leadership in Ghumsar Uprising (1753–1856). In: Behera, M.C. (eds) Tribe-British Relations in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3424-6_15

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