Nagpuri people

Stone tools, microliths discovered from Chota Nagpur plateau region which are from Mesolithic and Neolithic period.[5] During Neolithic period, agriculture started in South Asia. Several neolithic settlements have found in sites such as Jhusi, Lahuradewa, Mehergarh, Bhirrana, Rakhigarhi, Koldihwa, Chopani Mando and Chirand. At the confluence of Son and North Koel river in Kabra-Kala mound in Palamu district various antiquities, coins and art objects have been found which are from Neolithic to Medieval period and the pot-sherds of Redware, black and red ware, black ware, black slipped ware and NBP ware are from Chalcolithic to late medieval period.[6] During the 2nd millennium BC, the use of Cooper tools had spread in the Chotanagpur plateau region and these find-complexes known as Copper Hoard Culture.[7]

The use of Iron tools and pottery had spread in Chotanagpur plateau region during 1400 BCE according to carbon dating of Iron slag and pottery which have found in Singhbhum district.[8] During the Vedic period, several janapadas emerged in northern India. Parts of western India was dominated by tribes who had a slightly different culture, considered non-Vedic by the mainstream Vedic culture prevailing in the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms. Similarly, there were some tribes in the eastern regions of India considered to be in this category. There were many kingdom existing in the north such as Madra, Salva and in the east such as Kikata, Nishadas who were not following Vedic religion.

Around c. 1200–1000 BCE, Vedic Aryans spread eastward to the fertile western Ganges Plain and adopted iron tools which allowed for clearing of forest and the adoption of a more settled, agricultural way of life. [9][10][11] During this time, the central Ganges Plain dominated by a related but non-Vedic Indo-Aryan culture. The end of the Vedic period witnessed the rise of cities and large states (called mahajanapadas) as well as śramaṇa movements (including Jainism and Buddhism) which challenged the Vedic orthodoxy.[12] According to Bronkhorst, the sramana culture arose in greater Magadha, which was Indo-European, but not Vedic. In this culture, Kshatriyas were placed higher than Brahmins, and it rejected Vedic authority and rituals.[13][14] These Sramana religions did not worship the Vedic deities, practiced some form of asceticism and meditation (jhana) and tended to construct round burial mounds (called stupas in Buddhism).[15] Some parts of Nagpuri speaking region was part of Magadha Mahajanpada.

Magadha and other Mahajanapadas in the Post Vedic period

In Mauryan period, this region ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the Atavika (forest) states. These states accepted the suzerainty of the Maurya empire during Ashoka's reign (c. 232 BCE). Samudragupta, while marching through the present-day Chotanagpur region, directed the attack against the kingdom of Dakshina Kosala in the Mahanadi valley.[16]

Gupta Empire

During medivial period Nagvanshi and Chero were ruling this region. During region of Akbar, the Mughal invaded Khukhragarh, then Nagvanshi rulers became vassal of Mughals. Nagvanshi were independent during weak Mughal rule. After the Battle of Plassey, the region comes under influence of East India Company. Chero and Nagvanshi ruler then became tributaries to East India company.

Navratangarh fort

Bakhtar Say and Mundal Singh, two landowners from Gumla, fought against the British East India company in 1812 against tax imposition on farmers. British hanged them in Kolkata.[17]

The other princely states in Chota Nagpur Plateau, came within the sphere of influence of the Maratha Empire, but they became tributary States of East India Company as a result of the Anglo-Maratha Wars known as Chota Nagpur Tributary States.[18]

The brothers Nilamber and Pitamber were chiefs of Bhogta clan of the Kharwar tribe, who held ancestral jagirs led the revolt against British East India company in 1857.[19]

Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo and Pandey Ganpat Rai led rebels against British East India Company in 1857 rebellion.[20]Tikait Umrao Singh, Sheikh Bhikhari, Nadir Ali, Jai Mangal Singh played pivotal role in Indian Rebellion of 1857.[21]

After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the rule of the British East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person of Queen Victoria.[22]

After Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of the states chose to accede to the Dominion of India. Changbhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja and Udaipur later became part of Madhya Pradesh state, but Gangpur and Bonai became part of Orissa state, and Kharsawan and Saraikela part of Bihar state.[23] Region under Kings of Nagvansh and Ramgarh became parts of Bihar state.

In November 2000, the new states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand separated from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.

The Nagpuri people have their own styles of dance.[34] Some Nagpuri folk dance are Jhumair, Mardani Jhumair, Janani Jhumair, Domkach, Lahasua, Angnai, faguwa, sanjhi, adhratiya, bhinsariya, Painki etc.[35] Painki is ceremonial martial folk dance performed in marriage and functions.[36]

The musical instruments used in folk music and dance are Dhol, Mandar, Bansi, Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, Khartal, Narsinga etc.[35] Akhra is important part of Nagpuri culture which is village ground where people dance.[37]

Karam and Jitia are major festival celebrated among Nagpuri people.[37] Other major festival are Asari, Nawakhani, Sohrai, Fagun etc. Sarna is a place of Sacred grove where village deity resides according to traditional belief, the offering to gaon Khut/gram deoti takes place twice a year before sowing of seeds and harvesting crops for good harvest.

The deities reverence in nagpuri tradition are Suraj(Solar deity), Chand(lunar deity). Other deities are Gram deoti(village deity), Bar Pahari(hill deity) and Gaurea(Cattle deity) etc. The people worship these deities at home themselves during festivals. In home, rituals performed by head of family and in community festival the rituals performed by village priest "Pahan" and his assistant "Pujar".[38] [39][36] The Nagpuri religious tradition is based on local folk tradition and is non-vedic Indo-Aryan tradition which was prevailed in Magadha region. According to June McDaniel, folk hinduism is based on local traditions and cults of local deities and is the oldest, non-literate system. It is pre-vedic tradition extending back to prehistoric times, or before written of Vedas.[40]

According to ancient texts several tribes were living in border of Brahmanical India including Magadha, Madra, Salva, Kikata, Nishadas and Shakya, the clan of Gautama Buddha were following non-vedic culture.[41]

Chotangpur region was outside pale of Aryavarta and local people have been following non-vedic Indo-Aryan culture since Chalcolithic period such as worship of tree spirit, nagas etc which has been described as non-vedic practice by ancient texts. The Vedic religion and Brahmanism influence reached in the region after arrival of Brahmin perhaps during post Mauryan period. The Nagvanshi rulers constructed several temples during their reign and invited Brahmin from different parts of the country for priestly duty.[42]

Nagpuri marriage is unique. Prior to marriage, the boy’s relatives go to girl’s home to see and negotiate for marriage and token amount is paid by the boy’s family to the girl’s family as part of the marriage expenses called damgani.

The process of marriage starts with giving of Sari by boy's family to girl's family. Damgani, panbandhi, matikoran (worship of gramadevata), madwa and dalhardi, nahchhur, amba biha, painkotan, baraat, pairghani, sindoor dan (Vermilion giving), harin marek (hunting deer), chuman (giving gifts), etc are the activities and rituals of marriage accompanied by music of Nagara, Dhak and Shehnai played by traditionally musicians of Ghasi community. There are different songs for different marriage rituals. Domkach, Pairghani(welcome ceremony) dance performed during marriage. Wedding performed by thakur/Nai (barber) and the village priest called pahan in matikoran. Traditionally nagpuri wedding conducted without a Brahmin priest.[38]