Gallery & Resources
Maps & Relevant Documents
Historical documents provide insight into the administrative response to the Bastar Rebellion. While colonial records are limited and biased, they remain important sources when read alongside tribal oral traditions.
Colonial Administrative Reports
British administrative reports describe unrest in Bastar as disruptions to governance and revenue collection. These records reveal colonial anxieties while often overlooking the legitimate grievances of tribal communities.
Forest Laws & Proclamations
Official forest laws restricted access to ancestral lands and criminalized traditional practices. These proclamations became a central cause of resistance during the Bastar Rebellion.
Settlement & Land Records
Land settlement documents introduced new ownership systems that ignored communal tribal land use. Forests and villages were reclassified under state control, weakening indigenous governance.
Books, Articles & References
The history of the Bastar Rebellion and leaders like Gunda Dhur is preserved through a combination of scholarly research, government records, and oral traditions. The sources below offer context, analysis, and documentation.
Books & Scholarly Works
- Book: Verrier Elwin’s writings on tribal life in Bastar provide early ethnographic insights into the social and cultural environment that shaped resistance.
- Book: Academic histories of tribal movements in Central India discuss the Bastar Rebellion as a response to colonial forest policies and administrative control.
- Book: Regional historical studies document the role of tribal leadership, collective action, and forest-based resistance strategies.
Research Articles & Journals
- Journal Article: Peer-reviewed articles on Indian tribal uprisings analyze the Bastar movement within the broader context of anti-colonial resistance.
- Research Paper: Studies published in history and anthropology journals explore land rights, forest laws, and indigenous governance systems.
- Academic Review: Comparative research places the Bastar Rebellion alongside other tribal movements across India.
Government & Archival References
- Gazetteers: District and provincial gazetteers provide official descriptions of Bastar’s geography, population, and colonial administration.
- Gazetteers: District and provincial gazetteers provide official descriptions of Bastar’s geography, population, and colonial administration.
- Post-Independence Records: Indian government publications acknowledging tribal movements and their historical significance.