Bhumij
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 800,000+ | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| West Bengal | 336,436 |
| Odisha | 240,000+ |
| Jharkhand | 160,000+ |
| Languages | |
| Mundari | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Sarnaism, traditional beliefs | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Mundas • Santals • Kols • Hos | |
Bhumij are a tribal/Adivasi people living primarily in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand, mostly in the old Singhbhum district. They speak the Mundari language of the Austroasiatic language family or sometimes the predominant local language such as Bengali.
Bhumijs are identical with the Munda people. Bhumij inhabit that tract of the country which lies on both sides of the Subarnarekha River. Like all the Kolarian, the Bhumij have same type of religious and cultural traits. "However, although they have adopted Hindu customs, and are fast becoming Hindu, there can be no doubt that they are the descendants of the Mundas who first settled in the country, and were given the name of Bhumij (autochthon) by the Hindu immigrants who found them in possession of the soil." There are various instances that the Bhumijs are very brave and rebellious, and had involved themselves in various revolutions, and opposed autocratic decisions of their rulers.
Earlier they were given land by the king in view of the acts of bravery for agricultural purposes. They were known as robbers (chuars), and their various outbreaks were called chauris. The people in the surrounding areas were quite scared of them. But Bhumijs do not revolt for their personal interest but for the interest of the person who is entitled for. The history of Bhumij is the act of their bravery that they have shown time and again against the illegal decision of the existing authority. In the year 1798, when the Puncheet estate was sold to pay arrears of revenue, the Bhumij raised their head violently and disturbed the peace of the country till this was cancelled. The Bhumij revolt of 1832 is quite well-known. In this case, there was a disputed succession over the crown. The court decided the eldest son of the king, the son of the second wife instead of the son of the first wife (patrani), to be the king. The Bhumij did not approve the decision and took active part in this revolt known as Ganganarayan rebellion also known as Chuar Vidroh, the famous revolt of 1832 carried out by the Bhumij.
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Wikipedia