Historical Context and Cultural Practices
- Contrary to mainstream perceptions of tribals as innocent and uncivilized, history shows that it is often the so-called ‘civilized people’ who have exploited and inflicted injustices upon them, leading to a tribal crisis.
- Tribals have rich traditions and religious practices, such as offering animal sacrifices to their gods during significant agricultural events. Their culture is deeply intertwined with forest life.
Exploitation Under Various Regimes
- During the Nizam’s rule, tribals faced harassment through excessive taxation. Post-independence, their situation did not improve, as hunting, a primary source of livelihood, was banned, and restrictions were imposed on shifting cultivation (Podu).
- Local shopkeepers exploited tribal communities by taking over their lands in exchange for basic goods, trapping them in cycles of debt and high interest rates.
Tribal Rebellions and Resistance
Tribals have historically resisted exploitation through rebellions, starting as early as 1897. Significant uprisings include those in agency areas during the early 19th century, the Rampa Rebellion of 1879, and the notable rebellions against the Nizam’s regime like the Gondu-Kolam rebellion of the 1940s and the 1969 Srikakulam tribal rebellion