History of Jharkhand: From the post-Mughal era to modern times (1707–1942)

1. After Aurangzeb’s Death (1707)

• Mughal empire weakened, leading to anarchy in Jharkhand.
• Local kings and landlords tried to strengthen their powers:
  • Ramgarh: Initially received ‘mansab’ from the Bengal Subedar but started acting independently.
  • Chhotanagpur: Nagavanshi kings asserted independence from Mughal representatives.
  • Palamu: Chero rulers remained under nominal Mughal control, but internal power struggles emerged.
  • Singhbhum: Local rulers were practically independent; Mughal control was weak.
• Nawabs of Bengal (Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan):
  • Attempted tax collection and political control.
  • Frequent rebellions and local conflicts made it difficult.
• By mid-18th century:
  • Jharkhand remained under Mughal/Nawabi rule only nominally.
  • Real control was in the hands of local kings.

2. Modern Period (1765–1942)

Diwani of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa (1765)

• 12 August 1765: Shah Alam II granted Diwani rights to the East India Company.
• Jharkhand (Chhota Nagpur) was included under Bihar but remained culturally and politically distinct.
• Mughal and Maratha invasions occurred but no permanent rule was established.

3. Entry of the British in Jharkhand

Singhbhum Region (1760 Onwards)

• British interest arose after capturing Midnapur.
• Major Kingdoms:
  • Dhalbhum
  • Paurahat
  • Kolhan (Ho tribe territory)

Campaigns and Battles

• January 1767: Fergusson led an invasion:
  • Defeated kings of Jhargram, Jambani, Silda.
  • Captured Dhalbhum’s burning palace (22 March 1767).
  • Installed Jagannath Dhal as king, later replaced by Nimu Dhal.

Treaties

• 1773: Treaty with the King of Porahat.
• Later similar treaties with Saraikela and Kharsawan.

Kolhan and the Ho Tribe

• Ho tribe remained independent from Mughal and Maratha rule.
• Frequent invasions into Nagavanshi territories (1770, 1800).
• British military actions:
  • 1820: Major Roughsedge – partial success.
  • 1821: Colonel Richard – Ho tribe surrendered.
  • Tax imposed: 1 Rupee per plough.
• Kol Rebellion (1831–32, 1836–37):
  • Ho tribe revolted but eventually surrendered.
  • British administrative unit created in Kolhan.

4. British Expansion in Palamu and Chhotanagpur

Palamu (1771)

• Occupied by Chero kings: Chiranjit Rai and Jayanath Singh.
• British supported Gopal Rai:
  • March 21, 1771: Palamu fort captured by Captain Jacob Camek.
  • July 1771: Gopal Rai declared king, annual land revenue ₹12,000.

Chhotanagpur

• Nagavanshi King Darpanath Shah:
  • Accepted British subordination.
  • Annual tribute: ₹12,000.
  • Pledged help against the Marathas.

Ramgarh and Hazaribagh

• Raja Mukund Singh:
  • Initially opposed British influence.
  • Later proposed friendship under British pressure.
  • Gradual British influence increased.

5. Administrative Reorganization

Formation of Lohardaga Agency

• Headquarters: Kisanpur, Lohardaga.
• First Agent: Thomas Wilkinson (reported directly to Governor-General).
• District Officer: Robert Ouseley appointed.

Post-1854 Changes

• South-West Frontier Agency abolished.
• Chhotanagpur placed under Bengal’s Lieutenant Governor.
• Formation of Chhota Nagpur Commissionerate:
  • Included Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Manbhum, Singhbhum, Surguja, etc.

6. Manbhum Area

• Large region during the East India Company era, including:
  • Jharia, Katras, Parra, Raghunathpur, and others.
• 1767 (Fergusson’s entry):
  • Five major independent landlords: Manbhum, Barabhum, Supur, Abhinagar, Chatana.
• British struggle:
  • Military action initially failed.
  • Adopted annual settlement policy for control.

7. Singhbhum and Kolhan (Further Developments)

• 1837: Captain Wilkinson’s military action in Kolhan.
  • Villages Ipilasingi and Panga burnt.
  • Formation of Kolhan Government Estate.
  • First Deputy Commissioner: Tickell.
• Wilkinson Rules (1833):
  • Administrative code of 31 rules implemented.
• Seraikela and Kharsawan:
  • Gradually annexed in 1934.

8. Santhal Pargana and Paharia Policy

Early British Efforts

• Peace efforts with hill tribes (‘Highlander’, ‘Hill Man’).
• Tribal administration under the Khetauri family of Manihari.

Disturbances

• Maler tribe attacks during the famine of 1770.
• Looting and violence increased.
• Fear spread in Rajmahal and nearby regions.

British Military Actions

• Captain Brooke (1771-1774):
  • Suppressed forest terror.
  • Settled 283 villages.
• Captain James Brown (1774-1778):
  • Proposed respecting traditional tribal systems.

Augustus Cleveland’s Reforms (1779–1784)

• Adopted justice and humane policy.
• Cleveland Plan:
  • Engage hill tribes in agriculture and military.
  • Salary and uniforms for 400 tribal soldiers.
• Effects:
  • Brought peace and reduced crime.
  • Markets set up for tribal trade.
• Post-Cleveland:
  • Schemes declined after his death.
  • Paharia Panchayats weakened.

Attempts at Reforms

• Marquis of Hastings: Promised but did not fulfill support schemes.
• Fombell: Tried to revive Paharia system.
• Abdul Rasul Khan’s Corruption: Caused widespread discontent.

9. Arrival and Struggles of the Santhals

• Santhals settled in Bhagalpur, Birbhum, and later Damin-i-Koh.
• Exploited by moneylenders, trapped in debt.
• Faced severe injustice and exploitation.

10. Santhal Rebellion (1855–1856)

Causes

• Bonded labor, exorbitant loans, land seizure.
• Exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and British officials.

Leadership and Movement

• Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav: Divine-inspired leadership.
• 30 June 1855: 10,000 Santhals assembled at Bhognadih.
• 7 July 1855: Killed Inspector Maheshlal Dutt.

Conflict and Suppression

• Spread rebellion across Bhagalpur and Birbhum.
• British forces (Major Burrow, Colonel Bird) sent for suppression.
• Rebellion suppressed by 1856.

Consequences

• Formation of Santhal Pargana:
  • Damin-i-Koh separated.
  • Sub-divisions: Dumka, Godda, Deoghar, Rajmahal.
• Reforms:
  • Chieftaincy system recognized.
  • Direct contact between Santhals and administration.
  • Laws made to curb exploitation.
• Legacy:
  • Raised awareness of tribal rights.
  • Influenced future Indian freedom movements.

Maratha Incursions and Turmoil in Rajmahal (1742–1760): A Historical Account

Between 1742 and 1751, Bengal and Bihar faced continuous Maratha invasions, significantly impacting regions such as Rajmahal and Santhal Pargana. Below is a detailed bullet-point chronicle of these events and their consequences:

Maratha Invasions of Bengal and Bihar

• 1742–1751: Period marked by recurring Maratha attacks on Bengal and Bihar.
• 1743:
  • Two separate Maratha armies moved toward Bengal.
  • One was led by Raghuji Bhonsle.
  • The other, under Peshwa Balaji Rao, was sent to thwart Raghuji’s ambitions.
  • Balaji Rao entered Bihar from the south with 40,000 cavalry.

Balaji Rao’s March Through Bihar

• He advanced through:
  • Tikari
  • Gaya
  • Manpur
  • Bihar
  • Munger
  • Bhagalpur
• Reached Rajmahal hills via Beniaganj, aided by a local Rajput.
  • British writer Holwell refers to “Beniaganj” near the foothills west of Rajmahal.
  • Another account by Rennel refers to “Beniya Gaong”, 20 miles southeast of Rajmahal.
  • Actual location likely corresponds to Baman Gawa, ~1 mile northwest of Tin-Pahar railway station, ~7 miles southwest of Rajmahal.
• Balaji proceeded via Birbhum toward Murshidabad.

Raghuji Bhonsle’s Parallel Advance

• 1745: Raghuji Bhonsle marched toward Murshidabad through:
  • Birbhum
  • Santhal Pargana’s forests and hills

1748: Afghan Revolt and Maratha Intrusion

• 1748: Second Afghan rebellion broke out.
  • Alivardi Khan moved to Bihar to suppress it.
• Meanwhile, Maratha army led by Mir Habib infiltrated via Santhal Pargana.
  • British records show they halted at Herupur (likely Hirapur in Pakur sub-division).
• 1749: As Alivardi camped at Midnapore, Mir Habib’s troops looted Bengal.

1757: Capture of Siraj-ud-Daulah in Rajmahal

• Mir Daud, faujdar of Rajmahal and brother of Jafar Ali Khan, captured Siraj-ud-Daulah.
• After the Battle of Plassey, Siraj was heading north by boat.
• He disembarked at Rajmahal’s Ganga banks to rest.
• Despite disguise, he was recognized by Dana Shah, a man previously punished by Siraj by having his nose and ears cut off.
• Ironically, Siraj rested at the very spot where Dana Shah lived as a fakir.
• Dana Shah informed Mir Daud, who immediately dispatched soldiers to arrest Siraj.
• Siraj was captured and looted by the soldiers.
• Mir Qasim, who later replaced Mir Jafar, seized Lutfunnisa’s jewel chest worth lakhs of rupees.
• Siraj’s chief guard reached Rajmahal hours later, but it was too late.

Death of Siraj-ud-Daulah

• As Siraj was being taken to Murshidabad, Miran, son of Mir Jafar Ali Khan, murdered him.

Death and Burial of Miran (1760)

• 1760: While campaigning against the Nawab of Purnea, Miran died from a lightning strike in Champaran.
• His body was brought back and buried at Rajmahal.
• According to Sair-ul-Mutakhirin:
  • His body was transported in a coffin via the Ganga River.
  • Due to unbearable stench, the entourage was forced to stop at Rajmahal and bury him there.
  • A memorial still exists at the burial site.