Understanding Daman-i-Koh and its Tribal Inhabitants

The question asks about the tribe associated with a specific area called Daman-i-Koh, located in the foothills of the Rajmahal hills.

Daman-i-Koh was a specific administrative area demarcated during the British colonial period in the early 19th century. Its purpose was to encourage settled agriculture and revenue generation in a region that was primarily inhabited by different tribal groups.

Who were the Santhals?

The Santhals are a large tribal group found in parts of India, including Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam, as well as in Bangladesh and Nepal. They are known for their agricultural practices.

Connecting Daman-i-Koh to the Santhals

Historical records indicate that the British administration encouraged the Santhals to settle in the Daman-i-Koh area starting around the 1830s. This region, previously covered by forests and inhabited by other groups like the Paharias, was offered to the Santhals on favorable terms. They were promised land for cultivation and a certain degree of autonomy, provided they cleared the forests and expanded cultivation. By 1832, a large area in the Rajmahal hills foothills was officially declared as Daman-i-Koh, the land of the Santhals.

The Santhals migrated into this area in large numbers and rapidly expanded cultivation, clearing forests and establishing villages. Their population in the region grew significantly.

Why the Santhals?

The British saw the Santhals as ideal for settled agriculture compared to the Paharias, who practiced shifting cultivation (jhum). Encouraging Santhal settlement helped the British expand settled agriculture, increase land under cultivation, and collect more revenue from the region.

Other Tribes Mentioned

• Gonds: A large tribal group primarily found in central India.
• Bhils: A large tribal group primarily found in western and central India.
• Paharias: Indigenous tribal groups inhabiting the Rajmahal hills themselves, who practiced shifting cultivation and faced conflicts with the incoming Santhals and the colonial administration.

Based on historical accounts, Daman-i-Koh was specifically demarcated and declared as the land for the Santhals.

Conclusion

Daman-i-Koh, situated in the foothills of the Rajmahal hills, was formally declared the land of the Santhals to promote settled agriculture and revenue collection by the British administration. This led to significant migration and settlement of the Santhals in the area.

Revision Table: Tribes and Regions

Additional Information: The Santhal Experience in Daman-i-Koh

The settlement of Santhals in Daman-i-Koh had significant consequences:

• Rapid Expansion: Santhals cleared vast areas for cultivation, increasing agricultural production.
• Conflict with Paharias: As Santhals expanded into areas traditionally used by Paharias for shifting cultivation and resources, conflicts arose between the two groups.
• Exploitation: Despite initial favourable terms, Santhals soon faced exploitation by landlords (zamindars) and moneylenders (mahajans) who charged high interest rates and manipulated accounts, leading to debt and loss of land.
• Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): The accumulated grievances against the British administration, landlords, and moneylenders culminated in a major uprising known as the Santhal Rebellion or Santhal Hul.
• Creation of Santhal Parganas: Following the rebellion, the British created a separate administrative unit called Santhal Parganas in 1857, acknowledging the unique issues of the region and the Santhals.

The declaration of Daman-i-Koh as the land of the Santhals was a pivotal event in the history of the region and its inhabitants, setting the stage for both economic changes and social conflict.