Article Abstract index4

This research article explores the economic structure of the Jungle Mahals and the nature of colonial exploitation in this forested frontier region of south-western Bengal. Historically, Jungle Mahals was characterized by a nature-dependent, subsistence-oriented economy based on forest resources, shifting cultivation, hunting, and collective labour practices of tribal communities such as the Santhals, Bhumijs, Lodhas, and Shabars. With the expansion of colonial rule under the East India Company, this traditional economic structure underwent significant transformation. The introduction of land revenue systems, forest laws, and the rise of zamindars and moneylenders disrupted the existing socio-economic balance. Tribal communities were increasingly alienated from their customary rights over land and forests, leading to economic marginalization, indebtedness, and social disintegration. The study further examines the social consequences of these changes, including the emergence of class differentiation, decline of community-based systems, and erosion of cultural autonomy. It also highlights various forms of resistance, such as the Chuar Rebellion and the Santhal Rebellion, which reflected the collective response of marginalized communities against colonial oppression. By integrating regional history with broader colonial economic policies, this article argues that the transformation of Jungle Mahals was not merely an economic shift but a profound restructuring of society, power relations, and cultural identity under colonial rule.