Recent protests by the Ho Adivasi community in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region have brought attention to their centuries-old traditional self-governance framework, the Manki-Munda system.¹ The community is resisting alleged administrative interference that threatens this customary institution, highlighting the ongoing tension between traditional governance and modern state machinery.²

Understanding the Manki-Munda System

The Manki-Munda system is a traditional political and judicial framework of the Ho community, characterized by a two-tiered decentralized structure.³

• Village Level (Munda): Each village is headed by a Munda, a hereditary chief responsible for resolving local disputes and managing village affairs.⁴

   

   

• Inter-Village Level (Manki): A cluster of 8-15 villages forms a ‘pidh’, which is presided over by a Manki.⁵ The Manki handles disputes that cannot be resolved at the village level by the Munda.

   

   

Traditionally, this was a purely socio-political system focused on community governance and dispute resolution, with no role in land revenue collection or taxation.⁶

Historical Evolution and British Intervention

The system underwent a significant transformation during the British colonial period.⁷

• Pre-Colonial Era: The system operated autonomously, managing the community’s internal affairs.⁸

   

   

• British Intervention: After acquiring Diwani rights (post-1764), the East India Company’s attempts to impose revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement Act (1793) led to the seizure of tribal lands. This triggered major uprisings, including the Ho Revolt (1821–22) and the Kol Rebellion (1831).

• Co-option and Codification: Instead of suppressing the system, the British adopted a policy of co-option.⁹ In 1833, Captain Thomas Wilkinson codified the customary practices into a set of regulations known as “Wilkinson’s Rules.” This formally recognized the authority of Mundas and Mankis but integrated them into the colonial administrative structure, assigning them judicial and revenue-related powers.¹⁰ This also marked a shift from collective landholding to individual ownership through the introduction of pattas.¹¹

   
   
   

   

Post-Independence Status

Wilkinson’s Rules continued to govern the Kolhan region even after independence.¹² A landmark judgment in the Mora Ho vs State of Bihar (2000) case by the Patna High Court clarified that these rules are customs and not formal law, but their practice was allowed to continue.¹³ Recent attempts at reform, such as the proposed Nyay Manch (2021) by the Jharkhand government, have not yet been enacted.¹⁴

Key Facts about the Ho Tribe

• Identity and Location: The Ho (or Kolha) are an Austroasiatic Munda ethnic group primarily concentrated in the Kolhan region of Jharkhand and adjoining areas of Odisha and West Bengal.¹⁵

   

   

• Language: They speak the Ho language, which is written in the Devanagari, Latin, and its own native Warang Citi script.¹⁶

   

   

• History: Known for their strong resistance to Mughal, Maratha, and British incursions, the Ho community played a significant role in the Kol Uprising (1831–33) against exploitative outsiders (dikkus) and the 1857 Revolt.¹⁷

   

   

• Society and Culture: They have a rich cultural heritage with important festivals like Mage Parab and Baa Parab.¹⁸ The akhra (village ground) is the center of their community life and cultural performances.

   

   

• Economy and Ecology: Primarily an agrarian community, the Ho were among the first Adivasis to adopt settled farming. They share a deep, symbiotic relationship with sal forests and have actively resisted the replacement of these native forests with commercial teak plantations.

UPSC PYQs

Prelims

Q.1 Consider the following pairs: (2013)  

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?  

(a) 1 and 3 only  

(b) 2 and 4 only  

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4  

Ans: (a) 

Q.2 Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)  

PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.  

A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.  

There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.  

Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.  

Which of the statements given above are correct?  

(a) 1, 2 and 3  

(b) 2, 3 and 4  

(c) 1, 2 and 4  

(d) 1, 3 and 4  

Ans: (c) 

Q3. Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both? (2013) 

(a) State Forest Department  

(b) District Collector/Deputy Commissioner  

(c) Tahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer  

(d) Gram Sabha  

Ans: (d)