Between 1935 and 1940, the Forest Conservancy Policy threatened the very survival of the Gonds, and their grievances finally found expression in a spontaneous outbreak of armed resistance under the leadership of Komaram Bheem. The rebellion reflected the strained relations between the tribal population and the authorities of the Nizam’s regime.
This uprising, known as the Babejheri Revolt—named after the village where it began—was not a sudden occurrence. It was the culmination of decades of oppression, exploitation, and land alienation faced by the Gonds under Nizam’s rule. Though brutally suppressed, the revolt forced the government to reconsider its forest policies and immortalized Kumram Bheem as a symbol of tribal pride and resistance.
Background: Why the Gonds Rebelled
The Gond Way of Life Under Threat
The Gonds, a forest-dwelling tribal community, practiced Podu—a sustainable system of shifting cultivation—farming a plot for 2-3 years before letting it recover. This harmony with nature sustained them for generations.
Outsiders Encroach on Tribal Lands
Between 1932-1940, the Nizam’s government developed roads, railways, and encouraged settlers from other regions to move into the area. These outsiders were granted land pattas (legal titles) to occupy Gond fields. When the Gonds left land fallow for ecological recovery, it was often seized, undermining their ancestral farming system.
Exploitation and Corruption
In addition to land loss, Gonds faced:
- Forest Restrictions: Most forests were declared "reserved," banning collection of forest produce and traditional farming.
- Debt Bondage: Moneylenders charged extremely high interest rates (25–50%), trapping families in cycles of poverty.
- Corrupt Officials: Patwaris, forest guards, and village administrators extorted bribes for routine activities, ignoring petitions and legal orders.
Babejheri: The Starting Point
Bheem’s father, Chinnu, was a native of Sankepalli, about 8 km from Asifabad. After his father’s death, Bheem and his family moved to Surdaspur. While working with Latchu Patel of Devadam, Bheem successfully settled a dispute between the Patel and forest officials, gaining a reputation as a problem solver.
Encouraged by his brothers, Bheem came to Babejheri to help relatives who were struggling against oppressive forest officials. He repeatedly tried to secure patta land for himself and other tribals, but the demarcation of the Dhanora State Forest made Babejheri an enclave. The Gonds were asked to evacuate, and when they resisted, their houses were burned. Officials demanded bribes to allow them to stay and cultivate land. Bheem and the tribals initially complied, borrowing money, but officials later demanded more, escalating tensions.
Jhoreghat: Petition and Initial Clash
To secure legal rights, Bheem and a few Gonds went to Hyderabad and obtained official permission to cultivate 57 acres of land at Jhoreghat. When they returned, the Forest Ranger demanded a bribe of Rs. 2,000 and threatened to burn the village. Bheem refused and sent petitions to the Divisional Forest Officer and the Second Talukdar.
An armed party consisting of a Forester (Saredar), chowkidars, and an Arab guard approached Jhoreghat to enforce evacuation. The guard shot Bheem in the palm, enraging the Gonds, who attacked the party with axes, bows, and a few muskets, forcing them to flee. This was the first violent confrontation, but most of the major killings had not yet occurred.
Jodeghat: The Massacre
A few miles from Jhoreghat, at Jodeghat, the Nizam’s government sent 100 armed police officers on October 5, 1940, to suppress the revolt. About 800–900 Gonds, mostly armed with traditional weapons, confronted the force. Negotiations failed, Bheem was killed, and hundreds of Gonds perished. Bheem, their leader with no weapons in his hands was found shot dead by the police.Official reports mention 14 deaths, but local accounts suggest the toll was far higher. The contemporary news papers like Golconda stated that there had been an indiscriminate shooting killing hundreds of people and the sight of corpses still rotting in the place where the shooting occurred and the whole place smelt nauseating with rotten human bodies
Aftermath and Reforms
Policy Changes
The massacre shocked the government into action. Under advice from anthropologists like Christoph Von Furer Haimendorf and reform-minded ministers, the Nizam's administration implemented:
- Tribal land titles (pattas) and protection from alienation
- Schools teaching in Gondi and promoting literacy
- Debt relief measures and cooperative societies
- Grain banks and support for traditional livelihoods
- Special courts to resolve tribal disputes
Enduring Legacy of Kumram Bheem
Kumram Bheem became a symbol of tribal dignity and resistance. He is celebrated through:
- Statues and memorials across Telangana
- Textbooks, folklore, and literature
- Films and cultural events commemorating his sacrifice
Conclusion
The Babejheri Revolt was not just a violent confrontation—it was the culmination of decades of systemic injustice. Though suppressed, it forced reforms, ensured tribal rights, and immortalized Kumram Bheem as a beacon of resistance and justice.
References
- Srinivas, N. (1980). Telangana History Textbook, 7th Grade. Hyderabad: Government Press.
- Deshpande, V. R. (1980). Adavi. Hyderabad: Telugu Literary Publications.
- Srinivas, P. (1999). Adavi Thalli. Hyderabad: Tribal Studies Institute.
- Haimendorf, F. (1945). The Tribes of Adilabad. Hyderabad: Nizam Government Records.
- ITDA Utnoor. (2000). Komram Bheem Commemoration Reports. Utnoor: Integrated Tribal Development Agency.
- Shodhganga Chapter IV
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