The Bhil and Meena Movements in Rajasthan marked a decisive phase of tribal resistance against feudal exploitation and colonial discrimination. From the Mangarh Massacre to Prajamandal participation, these movements shaped tribal political awakening and social reform in Rajasthan.
 

Bhil and Meena movements in Rajasthan represent significant phases of tribal resistance, socio-religious reform, anti-feudal struggle, and political mobilization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These movements emerged against feudal oppression, excessive taxation, forced labour (begar), forest restrictions, and colonial interference in tribal life. 

The Bhil and Meena peoples found in southern and eastern Rajasthan reacted in different ways to the policies of the colonialist and princely states. Although Bhil movements were a mixture of religious reform and agrarian protest (e.g., Govind Gurus' movement, Eki Movement), the Meena mobilization was a development of socio-political assertion and involvement in the Prajamandal activities. It is critical to study their causes, leadership, ideology, and results to provide analytical answers in the RAS Mains.

For RPSC RAS 2026, this topic is highly important under:

• Rajasthan History
• Tribal Movements in Rajputana
• Peasant & Anti-Feudal Movements
• Prajamandal Movement
• Social Reform & Political Awakening
• Freedom Struggle in Rajasthan

Unlike purely agrarian peasant movements (Bijolia, Begun), Bhil and Meena mobilizations were deeply connected with tribal identity, community solidarity, socio-cultural reform, and assertion of rights over land and dignity. These movements laid the foundation for later tribal welfare policies and constitutional safeguards under the Fifth Schedule.

1. Historical Background: Tribal Society Under Feudal & Colonial Rule

The Bhil and Meena movements originated in the structural change of the polity of Rajasthan following the early 19th century. British paramountcy had been consolidated, and together with the already intact jagirdari system, deeper revenue levy, social control, and centralization of power were increased. Already at the bottom of the feudal structure, tribal societies were further marginalized economically, politically, and culturally, and over time, this translated into organized resistance and mobilization on a larger scale.

Political Context (Post-1818 Treaties)

After the 1818 treaties between the Rajput princely states and the British:

• Rajput rulers received military protection.
• British Residents gained indirect control.
• States were required to pay heavy tribute.
• Revenue extraction increased to meet tribute obligations.

The burden of increased taxation fell primarily on:

• Peasants
• Tribal communities
• Marginal cultivators

Socio-Economic Conditions of Tribals

Tribal communities such as the Bhils (Southern Rajasthan) and Meenas (Eastern Rajasthan) faced layered forms of exploitation under the feudal-colonial framework.

• Lag-bag (multiple cesses and taxes)
• Begar (forced unpaid labour)
• Forest restrictions on shifting cultivation
• Land alienation to jagirdars and moneylenders
• Criminal Tribes Act classification (especially affecting Meenas)
• Lack of access to education and administrative power
• Social marginalization and caste hierarchy discrimination

This background will be crucial in writing answers with a high score that goes beyond description and outlines the underlying socio-economic underpinnings of tribal movements in Rajasthan.

2. Bhil Movements in Rajasthan

The Bhil movements in Rajasthan are one of the earliest forms of tribal resistance to feudal oppression, interference by the colonies, and social exploitation. The Bhils, with their main bases in the southern tribal belt, came together with socio-religious reform, economic protest, and mobilization in the political arenas to demand dignity, land right and community independence. These movements were very instrumental in developing tribal consciousness, which was later to reflect extended agrarian and nationalistic movements in Rajasthan.

Regional Concentration

The Bhils, the largest Scheduled Tribe in Rajasthan, are primarily concentrated in:

• Udaipur
• Dungarpur
• Banswara
• Pratapgarh
• Sirohi

The area was commonly known as the Southern Tribal Belt, which was later the center of movements like the Bhagat Movement and Eki Movement.

Nature & Character of Bhil Movements

The Bhil movements were not just economic ones; they were multi-dimensional in nature. Their struggle combined:

• Socio-religious reform – Moral purification, rejection of alcoholism, and social discipline under reformist leaders.
• Anti-feudal resistance – Protest against excessive taxation, begar (forced labour), and arbitrary levies by jagirdars.
• Political awakening – Assertion of rights, demand for fair revenue practices, and mobilization against state repression.
• Tribal unity (Eki) – Collective identity formation across scattered Bhil settlements.

A. Govind Guru & Bhagat Movement (Late 19th Century – 1913)

One of the earliest organized tribal reform and rebellion movements in Rajasthan was the Bhagat Movement, which was led by Govind Guru (Govind Giri). It started as a socio-religious reform group of the Bhils of the Banswara-Dungarpur-Sunth belt, but slowly evolved into a strong anti-feudal and anti-colonial movement. The movement gave the basis of political consciousness of the tribal people in southern Rajasthan.

Leadership & Region

• Leader: Govind Guru
• Region: Banswara, Dungarpur, Sunth (now in Gujarat), parts of Mewar
• Nature: Religious reform + Anti-exploitation movement

Govind Guru organized the Bhils by forming the group known as “Samp Sabha,” which had an organized form of tribal harmony and reform.

Core Ideology

The Bhagat Movement emphasized moral reform and collective dignity:

• Unity among Bhils
• Abstinence from liquor
• Moral discipline and purity
• Rejection of social evils
• Assertion of tribal identity
• Resistance against exploitation

Initially reformist, the movement soon took a socio-political character due to economic oppression.

Economic & Administrative Grievances

• Heavy land revenue demands
• Illegal cesses (lag-bag)
• Begar (forced unpaid labour)
• Oppression by jagirdars and officials
• Exploitation by moneylenders

These grievances converted a religious reform campaign into an organized resistance movement.

Mangarh Massacre (17 November 1913)

The movement reached its peak at Mangarh Hills, where thousands of Bhils gathered under Govind Guru.

• British and princely state forces opened fire on the gathering.
• Hundreds of tribals were killed (exact numbers remain disputed).
• Govind Guru was arrested and later imprisoned

Significance

• Often referred to as the “Adivasi Jallianwala Bagh.”
• First large-scale organized tribal resistance in Rajasthan.
• It marked the beginning of political awakening among the Bhils.
• Mangarh Dham today stands as a symbol of tribal martyrdom.

Analytical Importance

• Illustrates tribal resistance against colonial–feudal nexus.
• Shows transition from social reform to political protest.
• Demonstrates how religion became a mobilization tool in tribal politics.

B. Eki Movement (1921–1923)

The Eki Movement, led by Motilal Tejawat, was a major tribal agrarian protest in southern Rajasthan. “Eki” means unity, reflecting the movement’s emphasis on collective resistance against feudal exploitation.

Region & Leadership

• Leader: Motilal Tejawat
• Region: Mewar, Dungarpur, Banswara
• Nature: Agrarian protest + Tribal unity movement

Causes

• Excessive taxation (lag-bag)
• Begar (forced labour)
• Arbitrary exactions by jagirdars
• Lack of administrative justice

Tejawat encouraged tribals to:

• Refuse illegal taxes
• Resist forced labour
• Organize collectively

The Non- Cooperation Movement influenced the movement, demonstrating the influence of Gandhian influence on the tribal mobilization.

Outcome & Impact

• Suppressed by state authorities.
• Motilal Tejawat arrested.
• Strengthened tribal political awareness.
• Reinforced unity across Bhil settlements.

Key Themes

• Tribal unity
• Anti-feudal resistance
• Gandhian influence
• Grassroots mobilization
• Political consciousness

3. Meena Movements in Rajasthan

The Meena movement in Rajasthan is the transformation of the traditional tribal opposition to social reform and political demands. With the Meena struggle, the agitation did not start as agrarian and religious movements, as was the case with the Bhils. The agitation was strongly informed by the legal discrimination, identity stigma, and the need to have civil rights and representation in the princely state.

The Meena community is mainly concentrated in Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, and Alwar, and their mobilization gradually evolved from community reform to democratic participation.

A. Criminal Tribes Act & Meena Stigmatization

The social and political life of Meena groups was strongly influenced by the fact that some of them started to be considered as criminal tribes in accordance with the Criminal Tribes Act (1871). This colonial law labeled entire communities as hereditary criminals, institutionalizing discrimination and surveillance.

Impact

• Mandatory police registration
• Constant monitoring by authorities
• Restrictions on movement
• Severe social stigma
• Denial of equal civil rights

This legal discrimination created resentment and strengthened collective identity among Meenas. Over time, the struggle shifted from mere social survival to organized assertion for dignity and justice.

B. Meena Reform Movements

The early 20th century was the time when educated and socially aware Meena leaders started to hold the reform movements in order to resist the stigma and backwardness. These movements were both internally oriented and externally oriented.

Major Activities

• Organization of community conferences
• Social reform campaigns
• Demand for removal from the Criminal Tribes list
• Political mobilization in princely states

Core Focus Areas

• Promotion of education
• Social upliftment and modernization
• Strengthening community unity
• Demand for political representation

The movement gradually transformed into identity-based reform and organized political participation, paving the way to democratic integration following Independence.

C. Participation in Prajamandal Movement

The Meena community did not exist in the field of social reform. Leaders actively participated in:

• Jaipur Prajamandal
• Anti-feudal democratic movements
• Agitations demanding a responsible government

This marked a clear transition:

Caste Identity → Political Assertion → Democratic Integration

This Meena mobilization was therefore incorporated into the larger democratic awakening in Rajasthan.

4. Comparative Study: Bhil vs Meena Movements

Both the Bhil and Meena movements were different in origin, approach, and direction, but both played a significant role in the socio-political change of Rajasthan.

Dimension	Bhil Movement	Meena Movement
Nature	Religious + Agrarian Protest	Social Reform + Political Assertion
Trigger	Feudal exploitation	Criminal Tribes Act & political exclusion
Major Leaders	Govind Guru, Motilal Tejawat	Community reformers & Prajamandal activists
Major Event	Mangarh Massacre (1913)	Reform mobilization & political assertion
Method	Mass tribal mobilization	Organizational & constitutional approach
Legacy	Tribal Awakening in Southern Rajasthan	Political integration in democratic reforms

Analytical Insight: The initial Bhil movement started as agrarian mass resistance, whereas the Meena movement had taken a reformist and constitutional route. They combine various tendencies towards tribal assertion in Rajasthan.

5. Broader Impact on Rajasthan History

The Bhil and Meena movements were not based on immediate grievances. They transformed the political awareness and helped in the democratic change.

1. Tribal Political Awakening

• Marginalized communities became aware of their collective strength and rights.

2. Anti-Feudal Consciousness

• Jagirdari exploitation and forced labour systems were openly challenged.

3. Link with National Movement

• Tribal struggles connected with Gandhian ideology and Prajamandal activism.

4. Foundation for Post-Independence Safeguards

These movements indirectly contributed to:

• Recognition of Scheduled Tribes
• Fifth Schedule protections
• Tribal Sub-Plan policies

They helped integrate tribal concerns into mainstream governance.

6. Thematic Analysis for High-Scoring Mains Answers

To provide analytical responses in RAS Mains, be sure to frame your response in terms of wider themes and not just recount the events.

Key Frameworks:

• Colonial–feudal exploitation model
• Tribal identity and assertion
• Religion as a mobilization tool (Bhil case)
• Criminal Tribes Act and legal marginalization (Meena case)
• Tribal movements and mainstream nationalism
• Grassroots democracy and Prajamandal linkage

This strategy matures answers, structures them, and makes them conceptual.

7. RAS 2026 Preparation Strategy

Bhil and Meena movements are significant to understand the history of Rajasthan, Tribal administration, Social justice, and Democratic reforms.

Prelims Focus

• Mangarh Hills (1913)
• Govind Guru
• Eki Movement
• Motilal Tejawat
• Criminal Tribes Act and Meena community

Mains Practice

Prepare analytical answers on:

• Role of tribal movements in Rajasthan’s freedom struggle
• Comparative study of Bhil and Meena mobilization
• Evaluation of the Mangarh Massacre in tribal resistance history

Interview Themes

• Recognition and significance of Mangarh Dham
• Tribal development in Southern Rajasthan
• Historical roots of tribal marginalization
• Identity politics and constitutional safeguards

Conclusion

The Bhil and Meena movements in Rajasthan were not just regionalized tribal movements, but important events in the socio-political change of the state. Spiritual mobilization by Govind Guru and the Mangarh Massacre to the political claims of the Meena community by means of reform movements and participation in Prajamandal activities formed the basis of tribal identity, social justice, and democratic participation in Rajasthan.

For RAS 2026 aspirants, mastering this topic requires both factual clarity (leaders, dates, and regions) and analytical depth (feudalism, colonial policy, tribal assertion, and political awakening). The knowledge of those movements enhances the preparation of Rajasthan History, Tribal Studies, Social Reform Movements, and Freedom Struggle.

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