Change in the Powers of the Tribal Chiefs under Colonial Rule

• Before the arrival of the British in India, tribal chiefs were important people.
• They had economic power.
• They had the right to administer and control their territories.
• In some areas, they had their own policy.
• They decided on the local rules of land and forest management.

The British changed their functions and powers considerably.

• They were allowed to keep their land titles over a cluster of villages and rent outlands.
• They were divested of their administrative power.
• They were forced to follow laws made by the British in India.
• They also had to pay tribute to the British, and discipline the tribal groups
  on behalf of the British.
• They lost the authority they had earlier enjoyed amongst their people.
• Now they were unable to fulfill their traditional functions.