Which of the following ideas was preached by the Kherwar or Sapha Har movement of the 1870s ?
Monotheism and internal social reform
Understanding the Kherwar or Sapha Har Movement
The Kherwar movement, also known as the Sapha Har movement, was a significant socio-religious reform movement among the Santhal tribe in the region that is now part of Jharkhand, India. This movement emerged in the 1870s and aimed at purifying Santhal society and reviving their original religious beliefs.
Core Ideas of the Kherwar / Sapha Har Movement
The movement, led by figures like Bhagirath Manjhi, preached specific ideas centered around religious and social upliftment. Let's examine the main tenets:
- Emphasis on Monotheism: A central tenet of the Sapha Har movement was the worship of one supreme God, often identified as 'Thakurji' or 'Marang Buru' in a monotheistic sense, moving away from polytheistic practices or the worship of multiple deities. The term 'Sapha Har' itself means 'clean man', emphasizing purity.
- Internal Social Reform: The movement strongly advocated for internal social reforms within the Santhal community. This included urging followers to abstain from practices like drinking alcohol, dancing at public festivities (like the Jhumur dance), eating meat, and observing certain festivals that were considered to have deviated from their original customs or become corrupted. They stressed a return to a simpler, purer way of life and stricter moral code.
- Assertion of Identity: The movement also had undertones of asserting the original identity of the Santhals as 'Kherwars', linking them to a pure, pre-Hindu past. This assertion often involved a rejection of perceived foreign influences, including aspects of Hinduism.
Based on these core principles, the Kherwar or Sapha Har movement primarily focused on religious purity through monotheism and significant internal social reform.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at why the other options do not accurately represent the core ideas of the Kherwar or Sapha Har movement:
- Acceptance of the Hindu pantheonic order: The movement, in fact, aimed at reviving an older, purer religious practice often distinct from and sometimes in opposition to elements of the Hindu pantheon which they felt had influenced or corrupted their original beliefs. It was more about purification and returning to original ways, not accepting the Hindu pantheon.
- Philosophy of Yoga and Mimansa: These are complex schools of classical Indian philosophy deeply associated with Brahmanical traditions. The Kherwar movement was a tribal socio-religious movement focused on simpler religious and social reforms within the Santhal community, not on adopting complex philosophical systems like Yoga or Mimansa.
- Polytheism: As discussed, a key aspect of the Sapha Har movement was the emphasis on worshipping one supreme God (monotheism), which stands in contrast to polytheism, the worship of multiple gods.
Therefore, the ideas most strongly preached by the Kherwar or Sapha Har movement were monotheism and internal social reform.
Revision Table: Kherwar / Sapha Har Movement Key Facts
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Other Name | Sapha Har Movement |
| Tribe | Santhal |
| Period | Primarily 1870s onwards |
| Key Leader (early) | Bhagirath Manjhi |
| Religious Focus | Monotheism (worship of one God like Thakurji/Marang Buru) |
| Social Focus | Internal reforms, abstinence (alcohol, meat, certain dances/festivals) |
| Underlying Goal | Religious and social purification, revival of original Santhal identity ('Kherwar') |
Additional Information: Context of Tribal Movements
The Kherwar/Sapha Har movement was part of a larger pattern of tribal movements in India during the colonial period. These movements often combined religious, social, and sometimes political aims. They frequently arose in response to pressures from outsiders (like landlords, moneylenders, administrators) and also involved internal efforts to reform and purify tribal societies that were undergoing change.
Examples of other significant tribal movements include:
- Santhal Rebellion (1855-56): A major revolt against British and landlord exploitation, predating the Kherwar movement.
- Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan) under Birsa Munda (late 19th century): Combined religious visions with a political struggle against exploitation and land alienation.
- Tana Bhagat Movement (early 20th century): Among the Oraon tribe, it also began as a religious purification movement (monotheism, abstinence) and later took on political dimensions under Gandhi's influence.
These movements highlight the dynamic ways tribal communities responded to external pressures and sought to maintain their identity and autonomy through various forms of resistance and reform.
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