Question

Discuss the policies adopted by the British towards the Paharias during the early 18th century in Bengal.

Answer 1

The policies adopted by the British towards the Paharias during the early 18th century in Bengal can be explained in the following way:

• In the decade of 1770, the British adopted the policy of extermination towards Paharias and began hunting them down and killing them.
• In the decade of 1780, the Collector of Bhagalpur, Augustus Cleveland, proposed the policy of pacification.
• This policy proposed to give an annual allowance to Paharia Chiefs, and they were made responsible for controlling their men.
• They were also expected to maintain order in their localities and keep discipline among their own people.
• But a number of Paharia chiefs refused to take the annual allowance.
• Those who accepted the allowance lost the authority within their community. They came to be seen as stipendiary chiefs, being in the pay of the colonial government.