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.