History and Art and Culture
Context: The Prime Minister of India will pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the Bhil tribal community, during his visit to the Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan’s Banswara district.
About Mangarh Dham:
- Mangarh Dham is known for the massacre of tribals that took place six years before Jallianwalla Bagh and is sometimes referred to as the “Adivasi Jallianwala”.
- British forces killed hundreds of Bhil tribals on November 17, 1913, in the hills of Mangarh on the border of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- It is located in the district on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, a region with a large tribal population.
- Social reformer Govind Guru led the gathering of tribals and forest dwellers in 1913 in Mangarh against the British Raj.
About Bhils Tribal group:
- The word Bhil is derived from “Veel”, which means “bow” in the Dravidian language.
- The Bhil tribe is called “Dhanush Purush of India” because they are highly adept at learning Dhanush.
- Bhils are a group of tribal Indians scattered throughout India from Gujarat in the west to Tripura in the Far East.
- As of 2013, they were the largest tribal group in India with the majority living in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
- Bhils have a rich and unique culture. The Bhilala subdivision is known for its Pithora painting.
- Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe.
- Ghoomar is the symbol of femininity.
- The young women take art in this dance and declare that they are stepping into women’s shoes.
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2021)
- The Revolt of 1857
- The Mappila Rebellion of 1921
- The Indigo Revolt of 1859 – 60
- Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900
