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Tag: Ranchi and Singhbhum Tribal Systems

  • Traditional Tribal Justice and Government system in Jharkhand

    Self-Governance System of Mundas

    • Language: Mundari (Austro-Asiatic Family)
    • Main Areas of Residence: Ranchi, Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Palamu, Dhanbad
    • Population: Approximately 12.29 Lakhs
    • Main Purpose: Settlement of social, religious, economic, cultural, and criminal matters.

    Key Positions and Roles

    • Munda: Head of the village; leads administration, judicial functions, and tax collection.
    • Padha Raja: Head of a group of 12-20 villages (Padha); handles complex disputes (Honorarium: ₹1000).
    • Raja: Head of 22 Padhas; high-level decision-maker.
    • Thakur: Assistant to the Padha Raja.
    • Diwan: Minister of the Raja; responsible for implementation of orders (Garh Diwan and Raj Diwan).
    • Barkandaz (Soldier): Distributes notices; ensures security in Sabha.
    • Pandey: Responsible for the protection of documents and issuing notices.
    • Lal (Bardalal, Majhalal, Chhotelal): Acts as a lawyer-like debater in Sabha.
    • Pahan: Assistant to Munda; oversees religious functions.
    • Priest Pahan: Conducts worship during festivals.
    • Mahato: Distributes information; assistant to Munda and Pahan.
    • Purification Work: Involved in priestly duties.
    • Ghatwar: Distributes punishment materials.
    • Chawar Dolait: Responsible for washing hands and feet in Sabha.
    • Paan Khawas: Distributes lime-tobacco in Sabha.

    Dispute Resolution Process

    1. First Stage:
      • The aggrieved person informs the Munda.
      • Mahato spreads the information across the village.
      • A hearing takes place in the village Sabha.
      • Decision: Financial penalty or social boycott.
    2. Second Stage:
      • If unresolved at the village level, a Padha Sabha is convened.
      • Information is disseminated through Diwan and Barkandaz.
    3. Third Stage:
      • If unresolved in the Padha Sabha, the matter is taken to the Mahasabha of 22 Padharajas.
      • Final Decision: The decision is final and binding.

    Contributions of the Traditional System in Various Fields

    • Criminal Cases: Economic penalty; decisions based on human values.
    • Sexual Atrocities: Strict punishment; responsibility of the girl in case of marriage.
    • Development Work: Construction of roads, wells, and canals through Shramdaan (voluntary labor).
    • Land Disputes: Fair distribution by Munda.
    • Religious Work: Pahan sets the dates for religious activities.
    • Rights of Women: Limited rights on land for maintenance.
    • Hereditary Rights: The post is handed over only to eligible heirs.

    Akhada and Collective Decision Making

    • Location: Middle of the village, often under a tree (if available).
    • Function: Collective discussion and morality-based decisions; ensures quick and low-cost justice.

    Padha Panchayat Governance System (Uraon Tribe)

    Village Panchayat

    • Main Officials: Mahto (Chief), Pahan (Priest), Bhandari (Messenger).
    • Function: Dispute settlement, disaster management, and festival organization.

    Padha Panchayat

    • Group: 9-12 villages.
    • Chief: Padha Raja.
    • Other Officials: Diwan, Minister, Kotwar, Panbhara.
    • Function: Acts as an appellate court and enforces social rules.
    • Special Note: The “Mudma Mela” of Ranchi district is a prominent example of Padha Panchayat’s influence.

    Relationship Between Mahto and Padha Raja

    • The Mahto works under the Padha Raja.
    • The Padha Raja does not intervene without the Mahto’s request.

    Manki-Munda Self-Rule System

    Historical Background

    • Prevalent in western and eastern Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan districts.
    • Prior to British rule, the Porahat (Singhbhum) king ruled, but the ‘Ho’ community was not directly controlled by the king.

    Changes After British Rule

    • In 1821, the British occupied southern Singhbhum and named it Kolhan Government State. Captain Thomas Wilkinson was appointed in 1837 for administration.
    • Wilkinson Rule:
      • Munda: Hears civil cases.
      • Manki: Hears criminal cases.

    Objectives of Administration in Kolhan

    • Maintain local governance.
    • Establish a direct relationship between the government and the people.
    • Settle disputes through village panchayats.
    • Prevent the entry of outsiders into the area.

    Rights and Duties of Manki

    • Hereditary Post (Marusi): Manki’s role is hereditary.
    • Chief and Responsible Officer: Oversees the Peed (region).
    • Revenue Collection: Works with Munda for revenue collection; entitled to a 10% commission.
    • Police Officer: Arrests criminals and hands them over to authorities.
    • Government Orders: Acts in accordance with government orders.
    • Dispute Resolution: Resolves smaller disputes and reports to the Deputy Commissioner.

    Rights and Duties of Munda

    • Represents the village and its autonomy.
    • Has the right to settle fallow land.
    • Informs the government about the settlement of outsiders.
    • Oversees public resources in the village.
    • Acts as a police officer; reports crimes to district administration.
    • Ensures forest conservation and law enforcement.

    Other Key Officials in Kolhan

    • Manki Committee: Resolves complex disputes.
    • Dakuamunda: Assistant to Munda; informs about meetings.
    • Tehsildar: Assistant to Manki; handles revenue collection.
    • Diuri: Responsible for religious worship and social crime resolution.
    • Travel Diuri: Participates in worship of village deities.

    Manjhi-Pargana Governance System (Santhal Pargana)

    Structure

    • Parganait: Head of 15-20 villages.
    • Desh Manjhi / Mode Manjhi: Head of 5-8 villages.
    • Manjhi: Village head.
    • Pranik: Sub-Manjhi.
    • Godait: Secretary and Treasurer.
    • Jog Manjhi: Youth leadership.
    • Jog Pranik: Assistant to Jog Manjhi.
    • Bhagdo Praja: Leading member of Gram Sabha.
    • Laser Tangoy: Security head.
    • Naike: Head of religious functions.
    • Chowkidar: Responsible for catching criminals.

    Dispute Settlement Process

    1. Village-Level: Disputes are settled by the Manjhi.
    2. If Unresolved: The matter is escalated to the Desh Manjhi.
    3. Final Decision: The Parganait handles unresolved issues at the Parganait level.

    Criminal Case Resolution

    • Village-Level: Most crimes, except murder, are settled in the village.
    • Punishments: Ranges from a light penalty (karela danda) to a large monetary fine.
    • Payment Plans: If the criminal cannot pay, they are given a payment period.
    • Serious Crimes: No release is allowed for serious crimes.

    Settlement of Sexual Crimes

    • Reported by the victim or guardian.
    • A meeting is held where all parties (complainant, accused, and witness) present their case.
    • If Found Guilty:
      • A marriage proposal is made (if both parties agree).
      • If rejected, an appropriate punishment is imposed.

    Additional Traditional Systems

    1. Illegitimate Children and Marriage Laws:
      • Jog Manjhi: Assigned as the gotra for illegitimate children.
      • Daughters may be married with the consent of their father, and dowry is provided.
    2. Family and Village Disputes:
      • Disputes are first brought before the village’s Manjhi, and the matter is escalated if unresolved.
    3. Bitlaha Tradition:
      • Social ostracism is imposed if a person does not follow the punishment. The community works together to persuade the individual, and if ignored, a “Bitlaha” ceremony is held.
    4. Sohor Panchayat (Kharia Tribe):
      • Several villages form the Sohor Panchayat to resolve disputes not settled at the village level.
    5. Village-Level Panchayat System:
      • The Mahato and elders lead meetings to resolve disputes, especially related to land and festivals.
    6. Caste and Private Panchayat System:
      • Private Panchayats can be called for personal disputes, where decisions are made through trial by fire or oath.
    7. Santhal Panchayat System (Manjhi Than):
      • Five officers form the Panchayat: Manjhi, Pranik, Jog Manjhi, Jog Pranik, and Godait. Originally elected annually, the position became hereditary.
    8. Other Tribal Panchayats:
      • Other tribes like Bhumij, Chero, Oraon, Munda, Birhor, etc., had their separate panchayats with positions like Mahato, Dehri, Raja, Munda, Naya.

    Nagavanshi Governance System

    • King: Head of governance.
    • Allies: Army, landlords, jagirdars, Brahmins, Rajguru, and priests.
    • Revenue Administration: Managed by Diwan, Patwari, and Amin.
    • Parha Panchayats: Foundation of administration, though the influence of Kol and Oraon decreased over time, with Kayastha influence growing.