Subject of recent protest, history of Kolhan tribe’s Manki-Munda system, Pg 16.

Key Highlights:

• Ho tribe in Jharkhand protested against alleged interference in their traditional Manki-Munda self-governance system by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of West Singhbhum.
• The core issue revolves around the balance between the indigenous governance system and the state's civil authority in Jharkhand's Kolhan region.
• The Manki-Munda system, a century-old governance structure, involves hereditary village heads (Mundas) and chiefs of a group of villages (Mankis).
• Wilkinson’s Rules, drafted in 1837, codified the powers of Mundas and Mankis, effectively integrating them into the British administrative system.

Detailed Insights:

• The Manki-Munda system predates British rule, with each village managed by a hereditary Munda responsible for resolving local disputes, and Mankis heading clusters of villages to handle more complex issues.
• The British East India Company's introduction of the Permanent Settlement Act in 1793 led to zamindars seizing Ho lands and imposing high revenue demands, causing tribal revolts.
• Wilkinson’s Rules were introduced in 1837 to co-opt local leaders into the British administration, leading to the integration of outsiders (dikus) and the introduction of private property concepts.
• The Patna High Court in 2000 recognized Wilkinson’s Rules as old customs but allowed their continuation due to the absence of an alternative, and a 2021 attempt to introduce a new system (Nyay Manch) failed.
• Current conflicts arise from complaints against Mundas, prompting the DC to issue directives for transparency, which was perceived as interference; some community members call for reforms to align with modern democracy.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Manki: The head of a pirh, typically comprising eight to fifteen villages, responsible for resolving disputes beyond the village level.
• Munda: A hereditary-appointed village head responsible for resolving socio-political disputes at the village level.
• Wilkinson’s Rules: A set of 31 rules drafted in 1837 that codified the powers of the Mundas and Mankis, integrating them into the British administrative system.