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Abstract
The post-mutiny India witnessed cautious imperialism coupled with a number of reformation and revitalization movements. Apart from important reformation movements in the country, like Arya Samaj, Prathana Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and Wahabi movement, the land of Santal Pargana, belonging to Gondwana rocks of Jurassic period, also experienced revitalization, known as Sapha-Hor (pure-men) movement, also called as Kherwarism. It was led by Bhagirath Manjhi. Sapha-Horism incorporated in its main-fold the socio-economic and political reforms, as well as the elements of nationalism. It was, in fact, a manifestation of cultural conflict, and the result of culture contact between the indigenous people and the British ruler. The motive of this movement was to fight against colonialism and injustice by reforming their own society, and by removing evil rituals and practices. They stressed upon sacredness of heart and observing purity in day-to-day life. The Kherwars discarded touching of fowl or pig, and asked their followers to bathe daily, and then cook their food. Purity, nonviolence and non-contact with men and women of other races and religion were the only means to get back their lost land, they believed. Non-interaction with others races and religion was probably an effort to keep the Santal culture and religion intact from outside influences. The people responded by accepting this creed, killed all their pigs and fowl, which were earlier their major economic asset, and adopted the new name of Sapha-Hor or pure men or Kherwar.
Introduction
The post mutiny India witnessed cautious imperialism coupled with a number of reformation and revitalization movements. Examples are Arya Samaj, Prathana Samaj, Brahmo Samaj, and Wahabi movement. Indian society threw up great social reformers, like, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Ram Krishna Paramhans, Swami Vivekanand, Maharshi Devendra Nath Thakur, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Rabindranath Tagore. Apart from them, the hills and forests of Jharkhand1, also experienced a number of revitalization movements that engaged several tribal communities like the Santals, the Mundas, the Oraons, the Hos, the Kharias, and several other indigenous communities of the region. These socio-religious movements are known by different names given by different tribal communities, such as Sapha-Hor movement, Birsait Movement, Rai movement, Tana Bhagat movement, Hari Baba movement, and likewise. Their leaders like Bhagirath, Tribhuan Manjhi, Dubia Gossain, Birsa Bhagwan, Jatra Bhagat...