What are the main features of the tribal people living in the region of bastar and what was their condition.
- Several communities live in Bastar such as Maria and Muria Gonds, Dhurwas, Bhatras and Halbas. They speak diverse languages but share common customs and beliefs
- The people of Bastar consider that each village was given its land by the Earth.
- When the colonial government proposed the reservation of two-thirds of the forest in 1905, and prohibit shifting cultivation, hunting, and collection of forest produce, the people of Bastar were very apprehensive.
- Earlier too, villagers had been suffering from enhanced land rents and recurrent demands for free labour and goods by colonial officials.
- Although there was no single leader, a man called Gunda Dhur was the leading name in the revolt that took place thereafter.
- In 1910, mango boughs, a lump of earth, chillies and arrows, were circulated between villages. These were to be connoted as messages inviting villagers to revolt against the British.
- Every village contributed to the revolt expenses.
- Bazaars were robbed, the houses of officials and traders, schools and police stations were burnt and raided, and grain redistributed.
- Those who faced the ire of the villagers were attacked were in some way associated with the colonial state and its oppressive law