Question 7. In what way was the livelihood of the Paharias different from that of the Santhals?
The livelihoods of the Paharias and the Santhals, two prominent tribal communities in eastern India, especially in the region of the Rajmahal Hills and adjoining areas, were distinct in their ways of subsistence, interaction with the environment, and relationship with the colonial state. These differences were shaped by their cultural practices, historical circumstances, and adaptations to the challenges posed by their respective environments. Below is a detailed exploration of how the livelihood patterns of the Paharias differed from those of the Santhals.
- Geographic and Environmental Context
The Paharias and Santhals inhabited different types of terrain, which played a significant role in shaping their livelihoods:
Paharias:
- The Paharias were primarily settled in the hilly and forested areas of the Rajmahal Hills (now in Jharkhand).
- The rugged terrain and dense forests shaped their subsistence economy, which relied on shifting cultivation, forest produce, and hunting.
Santhals:
- The Santhals, who migrated to the plains, settled in relatively open and fertile lands in the foothills and surrounding regions.
- Their livelihoods revolved around settled agriculture, which was more suited to the flat and arable terrain they inhabited.
- Modes of Agriculture
The primary distinction in the livelihoods of the two communities lay in their agricultural practices:
Paharias:
- Practiced shifting cultivation (also known as jhum cultivation).
- Cleared patches of forests for farming, used the land for a few years, and then moved to a new area once the soil’s fertility diminished.
- Cultivated crops like millet, barley, and lentils, which required minimal care and suited the hilly terrain.
Santhals:
- Practiced settled plough agriculture with more intensive methods of cultivation.
- Grew crops like rice, wheat, maize, and pulses on the fertile plains.
- Their agricultural techniques involved greater use of tools, domesticated animals, and irrigation, making them more productive than the Paharias’ shifting cultivation.
- Dependence on Forests and Hunting
The Paharias and Santhals had varying degrees of dependence on forests and hunting:
Paharias:
- The Paharias were more closely tied to the forests, relying on them for food, firewood, medicinal plants, and building materials.
- Hunting was an essential part of their subsistence, with the bow and arrow being central to their identity.
- They gathered forest products such as honey, wild fruits, and roots for their consumption and trade.
Santhals:
- The Santhals, having transitioned to settled agriculture, were less dependent on forests.
- They occasionally used forest resources for supplementary needs, such as firewood and minor forest produce, but their primary focus remained on farming.
- Economic Activities and Trade
Economic activities differed based on their interaction with local markets and the colonial economy:
Paharias:
- The Paharias were more isolated and less integrated into the market economy.
- Engaged in bartering forest products with neighboring communities.
- Their economic activities were subsistence-oriented, with minimal surplus generation.
Santhals:
- The Santhals became more involved in the cash economy due to their settled agricultural lifestyle.
- Sold surplus agricultural produce in local markets to buy goods they could not produce, such as salt, cloth, and tools.
- Their engagement with the market economy increased during the colonial period as they became important contributors to the agrarian economy.
- Social and Cultural Practices
The distinct livelihoods of the Paharias and Santhals also influenced their social and cultural practices:
Paharias:
- The Paharias had a more egalitarian social structure, reflecting their subsistence-oriented and communal way of life.
- Their culture revolved around nature worship and animism, deeply tied to their dependence on the forests.
- Seasonal festivals and rituals were often linked to hunting, shifting cultivation, and forest cycles.
Santhals:
- The Santhals, with their settled way of life, developed more stratified social structures, including village councils and headmen.
- Their cultural practices also included nature worship, but they celebrated festivals like Sohrai (harvest festival) that reflected their agrarian lifestyle.
- The Santhals had a stronger sense of community organization, which helped them negotiate with external forces like landlords and colonial authorities.
- Interaction with Colonial Authorities
The colonial administration interacted differently with the Paharias and Santhals, further influencing their livelihoods:
Paharias:
- The British viewed the Paharias as “primitive” and difficult to govern due to their resistance to colonial rule and their guerrilla warfare tactics.
- The introduction of the Damin-i-Koh (land of restraint) in 1832 aimed to confine the Paharias to specific areas in the Rajmahal Hills, limiting their movement and access to resources.
- This policy disrupted their traditional livelihoods, forcing many to abandon shifting cultivation and rely on meager allowances or wage labor.
Santhals:
- The Santhals were seen as industrious farmers and were encouraged to settle in new agricultural colonies established by the British.
- However, their integration into the agrarian economy exposed them to exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and colonial officials.
- The hardships faced by the Santhals under colonial policies eventually led to uprisings like the Santhal Rebellion of 1855–56 against oppressive systems.
- Response to External Pressures
Both communities faced pressures from external forces such as landlords, colonial policies, and encroachment by non-tribal settlers, but their responses were different:
Paharias:
- The Paharias resisted external pressures through armed conflict, often raiding settlements and resisting revenue collection.
- Their isolationist tendencies and reliance on guerrilla tactics made them resilient but also marginalized.
Santhals:
- The Santhals initially adapted to external pressures by cooperating with the British and landlords.
- However, prolonged exploitation led to organized resistance, culminating in the Santhal Rebellion, which highlighted their collective strength and desire for autonomy.
- Transition Over Time
The livelihoods of both communities evolved over time:
Paharias:
- Gradually lost access to forests and their traditional way of life due to deforestation, British policies, and the expansion of agriculture.
- Many became wage laborers or migrated to other areas in search of work.
Santhals:
- Continued to rely on settled agriculture but faced increasing land alienation due to debts and encroachment by outsiders.
- Some diversified into other occupations like wage labor, mining, and urban employment.
Conclusion
The livelihoods of the Paharias and Santhals were shaped by their distinct environments, agricultural practices, and interactions with external forces. The Paharias, with their reliance on shifting cultivation and forest resources, maintained a subsistence economy rooted in the hills. In contrast, the Santhals, with their settled agricultural practices, became integral to the colonial agrarian economy but faced exploitation and upheaval. These differences highlight the diverse ways in which tribal communities adapted to their circumstances and responded to the challenges of colonial rule and economic change.